Equally prodigious is the 2008 Pinot Noir Pisoni Vineyard. Like all of these wines, there is a seamless integration of acidity, wood, and tannin, all of it present in subtle and measured dosages. The sweetness of the plum, meaty, black currant fruit intermixed with cherries, boysenberry, forest floor, and floral notes is nothing short of awesome. Deep, concentrated, round, and generous, this wine has a terrific personality and is one of the best examples one can find of how much progress California has made with Pinot Noir. Drink it over the next decade.
Ever since a Roar Pinot Noir blew away a number of great grand cru Burgundies in a blind tasting I hosted at the Culinary Institute in Napa for over 100 winemakers and consumers, I have taken a special interest in following the wines from this producer. They go from strength to strength, and no doubt this is the best Chardonnay and the finest Pinot Noirs Gary Franscioni and his wife Rosella have yet produced.Generally, little or no stems are used in the making of the Pinot Noirs, which display fabulous aromatic complexity and sumptuous textures.
Tel. (831) 675-1681; Fax (831) 675-1683