Grapelive Tasting Report: New Roar Pinot Released

By Kerry Winslow

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2009 Roar Pinot Noir “Rosella’s Vineyard” Santa Lucia Highlands.
I just knew the 2009 Rosella’s was going to be good, and without question it is the best of Roar’s wines, even better than the Pisoni! Gary Franscioni’s estate vineyard named for his wife Rosella, is really on par with both Garys’ and Pisoni these days and Ed Kurtzman the winemaker at Roar has crafted some amazing wines of late, with this 2009 Rosella’s Pinot hitting the top. While Roar’s Chardonnay should not be overlooked, it is this wine that makes the label one of the great wines of the central coast and of California. The 2009 is rich, lush and vibrant with deep complexity and seamless texture, all in all a near perfect wine. The nose has ripe fruit, perfume, briar, smoke and leads to a full palate of black raspberry, cherry and plum fruits, while subtle spices, violets, mineral and truffle play in the background. The newer French oak is well integrated and while giving warm sweet creaminess doesn’t take away from the pure essence of this remarkable wine. Drink now through 2015, though I would think it could go a bit further, but then it is too good to sit on that long, and sadly there is only a tiny amount available.
($50-55 Est.) 95 Points, grapelive

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