2011 Pinot Noir

Adam Franscioni is the third generation of his family to farm in the Central Coast; he now works alongside his father, Gary, in the Santa Lucia Highlands vineyards that he planted in 1996.There are three distinct single vineyards under the family's umbrella:Rosella's, which is the oldest, Sierra Mar and Soberanes.In addition, the Franscioni family co-owns the Garys' vineyard with the Pisoni family.Most of the fruit they grow is sold to many of the most highly regarded wineries in the State, so the names of their vineyards are familiar to almost all California wine lovers, especially pinot aficionados.Adam also manages sales for Roar and he told me that while the low yields of 2011 were "obviously frustrating, commercially," he and his father are extremely pleased with the wines, which he calls "typical in our style for flavor but more elegant and drinkable early."

Gary Franscioni is one of the pioneers in the Santa Lucia Highlands. In addition to the many vineyards he has developed, Franscioni also makes wines under his own label at Roar. Franscioni describes 2011 as the coolest year on record, with temperatures that never surpassed 85 degrees, pretty much unheard of in California. The harvest took place from late September to mid-October, a condensed time frame relative to historical standards. This range from Roar is quite successful, especially within the context of the year. As is the case in many places, the Chardonnays are particularly of note.