ROAR

Articles About ROAR

Reviewed Wines

2017 ROAR Rosella’s Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay

14.3% alc., pH 3.47, TA 0.59, 107 cases, $45. Hyde, Monty and Dijon 96 clones. Aged in French oak barrels, 38% new. · Moderate golden yellow color in the glass. Bright and clean aromas show up on the nose, including citrus, poached pear, banana and petrichor. Demure, but seductive in the mouth, featuring flavors of lemon, pear and melon and gracious oak. Crisp and sleek, exhibiting impeccable balance. Score: 93. Reviewed March 23, 2019 ARTICLE »

2017 ROAR Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.8% alc., pH 3.79, TA 0.58, 1,670 cases, $45. Clones 23, 667, 777, 943, Calera, Pisoni, Pommard and Swan. Aged in French oak barrels, 41% new. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Soaring aromas of black cherry, red currant and fertile earth. Light to mid weight in style, offering a satisfying spiced cherry core. Forward drinking, with exquisite balance and a modest finish. This wine says, “smell me, swirl me, drink me!” Score: 91. Reviewed March 23, 2019 ARTICLE »

2017 ROAR Sierra Mar Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay

14.5% alc., pH 3.54, TA 0.61, 175 cases, $45. Hyde and Monty clones. Aged in French oak barrels, 40% new. · Moderate golden yellow color in the glass. Subtle lemon and flint aromas with oak-driven toast and char that integrates with swirling. Flashy and delicious on the palate, featuring ripe flavors of lemon, pear and particularly pineapple with a modicum of oak in the background. Slick in texture with welcome spice, and some length on the slightly flinty finish. Score: 92. Reviewed March 23, 2019 ARTICLE »

2017 ROAR Soberanes Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay

14.1% alc., pH 3.53, TA 0.54, 115 cases, $45. Monty clone. Aged in French oak barrels, 33% new. · Moderate golden yellow color in the glass. Demure aromas of lemon curd, pineapple and cold steel. An austere style, featuring flavors of citrus, pear and vanilla. Silken and soft with a modest finish. Score: 90. Reviewed March 23, 2019 ARTICLE »

2017 ROAR Sierra Mar Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.8% alc., pH 3.78, TA 0.59, 686 cases, $58. Clones 943, Calera, Swan and Pisoni. Aged in French oak barrels, 71% new. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Pleasing aromas of blackberry, cassis, underbrush and a hint of toasty oak. The tasty mid weight core of black cherry and blackberry fruits entices. There is a note of dark chocolate. The silken tannins are handsome, toasty oak plies the background with finesse, and the wine finishes with good intensity. Very solid, if not superb. Score: 93. Reviewed March 23, 2019 ARTICLE »

2017 ROAR Soberanes Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.8% alc., pH 3.79, TA 0.58, 297 cases, $58. Clones 667 and Pisoni. Aged in French oak barrels, 67% new. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Lovely aromas of black cherry, purple berry, and chocolate nougat. Very bright in the mouth, with uplifting flavors of dark cherry and boysenberry. Seamless in composure, with easygoing tannins, leaving behind a dreamy boysenberry memory. Score: 93. Reviewed March 23, 2019 ARTICLE »

2017 ROAR Garys’ Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.9% alc., pH 3.77, TA 0.58, 756 cases, $62. Calera and Pisoni clones. Aged in French oak barrels, 68% new. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Aromas of dirty cherry and complimentary toasty oak. The dark cherry fruit literally explodes on entry in the mouth, holding an expansive court through the mid palate and finishing long and gratifying. Impeccably crafted, with relaxed tannins, deft oak integration and a seamless demeanor. This is a very sensual wine from a special vineyard that delivers uncommon virility with charm. You will want some of this. Score: 95. Reviewed March 23, 2019 ARTICLE »

2017 ROAR Rosella’s Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.8% alc., pH 3.74, TA 0.59, 710 cases, $62. Clones 23, 113, 667, 777, Pisoni and Pommard. Aged in French oak barrels, 65% new. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Enticing aromas of dark red cherry, baking spices and toasty oak. The nucleus of black raspberry and blackberry fruits really impresses in the mouth. Good harmony, with gracious tannins, integrated alcohol, and some finishing purpose. Score: 92. Reviewed March 23, 2019 ARTICLE »

2017 ROAR Pisoni Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.7% alc., pH 3.69, TA 0.58, 365 cases, $75. Pisoni clone. Aged in French oak barrels, 60% new. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. The nose reluctantly opens slowly over time to reveal deep aromas of dark fruits and sous bois. Exceptionally pure and intense black cherry fruit with appealing spice, iron and animale undertones. A harmonious edition, with suave tannins, ideal oak integration, and a finish filled with joyous appeal. A consummate connoisseur’s wine that will gain traction with more time in the cellar. Score: 94. Reviewed March 23, 2019 ARTICLE »

2015 ROAR Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.4% alc., pH 3.73, TA 0.58, 1,360 cases, $43. Harvest Brix 25.6º-28.4º. Swan, Pisoni, Pommard, 23, 777, 943, 115 and “828” clones. The juice spent an average of 28 days on the skins and aged 10 months in French oak barrels, 55% new. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass with a slight cloudiness. Revealing aromas of cherry, strawberry, soy and smoke. A comforting wine that is easy to cozy up to, with mid weight flavors of well-spiced dark cherry and purple berry. Sleek in texture, with taut tannins and a pleasing finish. Score: 89. Reviewed February 25, 2017 ARTICLE »

2015 ROAR Sierra Mar Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay

14.6% alc., pH 3.54, TA 0.61, 307 cases, $45. Harvest Brix 24.2º. Monty and Hyde clones. The wine underwent 100% malolactic fermentation in barrel and was aged 11 months in French oak barrels, 30% new, before being fined in August 2016. · Moderate golden yellow color and clear in the glass. This is at first take a bombastic wine, yet with further examination yields considerably complexity. Aromas of salt air, lemon oil, pineapple and other tropical fruits, nuts and buttered toast lead to a boldly flavored wine with tastes of citrus, pear, tropical fruits, white chocolate and blond caramel. Mouth filling with a viscous mouthfeel, yet enough acidity to propel the wine through a bright finish. Score: 92. Reviewed February 25, 2017 ARTICLE »

2015 ROAR Garys’ Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.9% alc., pH 3.71, TA 0.59, 493 cases, $60. Harvest Brix 26.76º-27.1º. Pisoni clone. The juice spent an average of 33 days on the skins and aged 11 months in French oak barrels, 65% new. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Moderate reddish purple color and slight haze in the glass. Lovely cherry pie aroma with a hint of red rose and toast. The arsenal of black cherry, black raspberry and blackberry fruits have impressive purity, ever-expanding in the mouth and on the finish. Ripe but not too ripe. There still is a bit of oak hangover from bottling, but this is sure to integrate over time. This vineyard always delivers the combination of virility and charm. Score: 93. Reviewed February 25, 2017 ARTICLE »

2015 ROAR Sierra Mar Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., pH 3.77, TA 0.58, 516 cases, $60. Harvest Brix 25.6º-28.3º. Swan, Pisoni and “828” clones. The juice spent an average of 28 days on the skins and aged 11 months in French oak barrels, 68% new. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of Bing cherry, spice and sous-bois lead off. Quite juicy in the mouth, with middleweight core of black cherry and black raspberry flavors that are expansive. Silky in texture, with a compliment of toast and caramel, energized with adequate acidity, and finishing with some length revealing young, dry tannins. Score: 92. Reviewed February 25, 2017 ARTICLE »

2014 ROAR Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.9% alc., pH 3.77, TA 0.55, 1,814 cases, $42. Clones are Pommard, Pisoni, Swan, 667, 777 and “828.” Aged in 100% French oak cooperage, 58% new. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Shy, but charming aromas of dark fruits and toasted oak. Packed with very ripe fruit flavors framed by sleek tannins and proper oak seasoning. Enjoyable, but not complex. When tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, the wine again demonstrated commendable balance but the nose was not open for business and oak tended to overshadowed the fruit. This wine will benefit from another 6 to 12 months in bottle. Score: 88-89. Reviewed April 2, 2016 ARTICLE »

2014 ROAR Sierra Mar Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.8% alc., pH 3.76, TA 0.55, 648 cases, $52. Swan, Pisoni and “828” clones. Aged in 100% French oak cooperage, 69% new. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Shy, but pleasant aromas of black cherry, raspberry and spice. A charge of well-spiced dark red and black fruits greet the mid palate and linger through a splashy finish. Highly soothing and harmonious, with a gentle grip of tannins and juicy acidity. When tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, the wine was still shy and tight. Decanting or cellaring advised. Score: 91-93. Reviewed April 2, 2016 ARTICLE »

2014 ROAR Garys’ Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.9% alc., pH 3.76, TA 0.57, 595 cases, $58. Pisoni clone. Aged in 100% French oak cooperage, 60% new. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Very shy nose upon opening, only revealing some fruit and spice the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. More giving on the palate, with a juicy blend of dark cherry and dark berry fruits touched by oak. Silky and seductive, with style, grace and a finishing surge of fruit. The wine would benefit from another year or two in bottle. Score: 91-92. Reviewed April 2, 2016 ARTICLE »

2011 ROAR Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.9% alc., pH 3.73, TA 0.54, 1,158 cases, $40. Pisoni, Swan and Pommard clones harvested at 26.5º Brix. Aged 11 months in 46% new and 54% 1-year-old French oak barrels. Unfined and unfiltered. · Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. Nicely perfumed with bright aromas of dark berry jam, plum pudding and fresh brioche. Tasty essence of dark stone and berry fruits with good concentration and a reasonably full, satiny finish. A solid, impressive appellation wine. Very good. Reviewed March 23, 2013 ARTICLE »

2011 ROAR Garys’ Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.9% alc., pH 3.62, TA 0.58, 641 cases, $52. Pisoni clone harvested at 26.8º Brix.. Aged 11 months in 77% new and 23% 1-year-old French oak barrels. Unfined and unfiltered. · Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. Welcoming aromas of red and black berry cobbler, black cherries and clove. Delicious core of dark red fruits with a slight savory accent. Full-bodied with a seductively soft texture and very fine tannins. Beautiful integration of oak. A little big and high in alcohol for me personally, but this is a great wine in its style. Garys’ Vineyard seemed to perform beautifully in this vintage. Reviewed March 23, 2013 ARTICLE »

2011 ROAR Rosella’s Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.9% alc., pH 3.61, TA 0.55, 451 cases, $52. Pisoni, 777 and Pommard clones. Aged 11 months in 84% new and 16% 1-year-old French oak barrels. · Moderate reddish-purple hue in the glass. Brightly perfumed with aromas of dark fruits, briar, forest floor and smoky oak. The core of modest tannins is wrapped in layers of dark red cherry and berry fruit with a prominent charred oak accent. Still, the wine is juicy and pleasing with some length on the finish. The delicate fruit essence is currently buried in oak and the wine will benefit from more time in bottle. Score: 88. Reviewed September 29, 2013 ARTICLE »

2011 ROAR Sierra Mar Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.9% alc., pH 3.75, TA 0.55, 549 cases, $52. Pisoni, Pommard and Swan clones. Aged 11 months in 81% new and 19% 1-year-old French oak barrels. · Medium reddish-purple color in the glass. Everything comes together nicely in this wine featuring enticing aromas of black cherry, black currant, spice, forest floor and subtle oak. A mouthful of delicious black cherry, black raspberry and plum fruit coats the palate and hangs on for a long, generous finish. The fruit really sings in this wine now, but the wine will benefit from more aging to better integrate the tannins and oak. Score: 93. Reviewed September 29, 2013 ARTICLE »

2011 ROAR Pisoni Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.9% alc., pH 3.54, TA 0.61, 278 cases, $60. Pisoni clone. Aged 11 months in 58% new and 42% 1-year-old French oak barrels. · Dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Wondrous aromas of black stone fruits, potpourri, forest floor and oak. Stunning on entry with copious flavors of dark cherries and berries and Hoison sauce that has real grip. The wine has some structural muscle but is approachable now. A very smooth mouth feel and an intense, peacock tail finish complete the experience. A hosanna to the Pisoni family. Score: 95. Reviewed September 29, 2013 ARTICLE »

2011 ROAR Pisoni Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.0% alc., 780 cases, $80. 24% whole cluster. Aged 11 months in French oak barrels, 61% new. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Highly aromatic, with scents of blackberry, cola, tilled earth and old leather satchel. Very silky on the palate, with mid-weight flavors of cassis, blackberry and a savory earthiness. This wine has staying power, still holding its own and probably good for at least another 5+ years. Score: 94. Reviewed September 19, 2021 ARTICLE »

2007 Roar Garys’ Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

13.8% alc.. · A very impressive wine that breaks the mold of high extraction typical of the Roar style. Nicely perfumed with black cherries and blackberry fruit. Very sensual and understated on the palate with appealing flavors of spiced berries set off by gossamer tannins and proportioned acidity. One of the best wines tasted at WOPN. Very good. Reviewed April 8, 2010 ARTICLE »

2007 ROAR Pisoni Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.9% alc.. · Dark reddish purple color in the glass. The nose is quite pungent with aromas of Band-Aid and sweaty horse (Brett). Dense and boldly concentrated, with a core of purple and black fruits that veer to the very ripe side framed by muscular tannins. A bit flat on the palate, with a compliment of nutty oak and some length on the sweet-fruited finish. Drink up. Score: NR. Reviewed January 16, 2017 ARTICLE »

2004 Roar Garys’ Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.9% alc.. · Attractive aromas of rich, ripe black cherries, root beer and sandalwood. Rich black cherry fruit core with notable oak. Still retaining some tannin. Some ash shows up on the finish which leaves a little heat in its wake. Reviewed July 9, 2009 ARTICLE »