Roar Wines Rosella's Vineyard Pinot Noir 2022

Viticulture

Rosella’s Vineyard is the first property Roar planted to vine, and is the northernmost of their vineyards. Planted in 1996, it wraps around the family home and is named for Rosella, Gary’s wife. Its rows of vines ascend from River Road up the hillside toward the mountain ridge, often laced with fog. Plush lemon trees flank its western edge. The sandy loam soil allows good drainage, encouraging deep vine roots that add complexity in the wines. Here they grow Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah. The wines from Rosella’s Vineyard are known for their expressive aromatics and smooth suppleness on the palate.

Clones    113, 667, 777, 23, Pisoni, Pommard
Soils    Arroyo Seco sandy loam

The season began with another unusually dry winter in the Highlands. Roar received 7.5 inches of rain, below our average of 10-14. Each seasonal marker came early, from bud break to veraison and then harvest, about two weeks ahead of “normal.” Similar to the 2017 vintage, Roar experienced an extended warm spell through Labor Day weekend that accelerated ripening and shortened our harvest window to 23 days. The crop yield was very light at about 30% less than normal. The final wines show a particular density and lush character coming from an earlier harvest season.

Vinification

Cases: 610   
Harvest dates:  September 3rd – 16th
Time on skins:  22-27 days
Clones: Pisoni, Pommard, 667, 777, 23
Time in barrel:  11 months
Cooperage: 100% French, 65% new: Remond, Francois Freres, Damy, Billon

Tasting notes

Deliciously floral, with raspberries and rose petals. There is a touch of bold elegance in its supple texture. Like Versailles - serious, but pretty.

Winery Description

Gary & Rosella Franscioni, third-generation farmers whose families have been farming for over 100 years, realized the potential of the Santa Lucia Highlands as a viticultural area and began growing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in 1996. The first vintage in 2001 was highly acclaimed, and in 2007, Ed Kurtzman took over the winemaking duties and the wines became increasingly well-known and difficult to find even in the United States.

Although Roar Wines are highly acclaimed by wine reviewers, the winery remains family-owned and operated and is not large by any means. Gary & Rosella's two sons grew up watching their parents work the land. Now, Adam is in charge of vineyard management and Nick is managing winemaking. The winery currently produces wines from five vineyards, including the vineyard it shares with Gary Pisoni. Scott Shapely is in head winemaker who previously worked as winemaker at Siduri. In 2012 Roar was selected as one of Wine Spectator's "Top 100" wines of the year. The Francioni family is truly a family-run business, and everything from vineyard management to blend formulation is discussed with the entire family, but Rosella seems to have the final say.