Soberanes Vineyard
Lucia
Soberanes Vineyard Syrah 2019
2019 vintage. The Lucia “Soberanes Vineyard” Syrah is a mouthful! 180 cases made. Generally, the Santa Lucia Highlands are known for the Pinots but this juice is devastatingly delicious. Roasted nuts, crushed violets, blackberry, blueberry and vanilla bean in the sniffer. Medium-heavy body. The tannins are definitely there but mitigated somewhat with that blackberry (and plum) fruit. Superfine white and black pepper along with that bleached 8.5x11 white paper flav and the California equivalent of the French “garrigue.” 14.1% ABV and supremely balanced. Drink now or hold for a decade +. 9.5/ 95/ A. — 4 years ago
Roar
Soberanes Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014
Second time I’ve have this wine in 3 weeks, got to keep better records. For some reason this bottle tasted a bit better but still needed to be drunk. Very enjoyable meal at Little Hen. — 6 years ago
Twomey
Soberanes Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
This is a beautiful Pinot. Nice body with notes of Raspberries, boysenberry and chocolate. — 8 years ago
Bernardus Winery
Soberanes Vineyard Chardonnay 2014
Nice Oaky chardonnay — 8 years ago
Lucia Vineyards (Pisoni)
Garys' Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012
A wine I’ve enjoyed mostly upon release or near it. I vowed to wait six years and nearly made it. At least it is 2018...just! It’s worth waiting this/that long for it to develop. On the nose; sweetly, baked fruits of; dark cherries, strawberries, black plum, plums, blackberries, and notes of blue fruits. Cinnamon, vanilla, very light clove & nutmeg, caramel, soft, medium, beautiful spice, black fruit tea, limestone minerals, loamy, dry, brown top soil, fresh dark florals and violets. The mouthfeel is full, rich & lush. The tannins are round, still have some teeth and possess velvety round edges. It’s fruit driven but not a bomb and showing elegance & grace. Fruits are perfectly ripe; dark cherries, strawberries, black plum, plums, blackberries, notes of blue fruits and dry cranberries dip in and out. Cinnamon, vanilla, very light clove & nutmeg, caramel, soft, medium beautiful spice that is more pronounced on the palate, black fruit tea, touch of melted brown sugar/molasses, limestone minerals, touch of rich dark sweet turned soil, loamy dry brown top soil, soft understated eucalyptus/mint, dry fresh florals and violets. The round acidity is just right, just a slight very small alcohol burn, the length, structure, tension and beautifully balanced finish are in a very good place. Even better in 2-3 more years in bottle; which is when I’ll have my next one. Photos of; the winemaking duo of Gary Franscioni (left) and Gary Pisoni, Rosella’s Vineyard on the right. As well as, Garys’ Vineyard at the bottom. Producer notes and history...The Santa Lucia Highlands appellation is known for its rich, vibrant Pinot Noirs. However, that wasn’t always the case. The first Pinot was planted in 1973, but results weren’t all that great. Chardonnay was the appellation’s early star. Much of the area’s current fame for Pinot Noir arguably can be traced to Gary Pisoni, a free-spirited wine enthusiast who grew up in a Salinas Valley vegetable farming family. Pisoni decided to plant a few acres of Pinot Noir in 1982 on his family’s horse ranch, at the southern end of what was to become the Santa Lucia Highlands appellation but his horses started eating the grapes. So, they had to go. His initial planting were limited by a lack of water until he dug a well on the property. Pisoni started planting even more Pinot Noir. The vineyard is now around 45 acres and nearly all of it Pinot. By the late 1990s, word had spread about the success of his vineyard, and a number of Pinot specialists from around California had started lining up to buy his grapes. He started producing his own wine in 1998. Pisoni isn’t the only Gary who has become a force in the Santa Lucia Highlands. Gary Franscioni, a childhood friend, followed Pisoni’s lead by planting grapes and started Roar Wines in 2001. The two of them now have five vineyards between them...all farmed meticulously with the same crew. They are best of friends...sort of a Mutt & Jeff. They have become a formidable presence in the Highlands, attracting interest from top winemakers and Pinot Noir lovers from all over. Franscioni is also from a vegetable farming family; Pisoni figures they’ve known each other since they were 3 or 4. Franscioni saw his friend’s success and once he got some money together, decided to plant grapes of his own. Franscioni’s property is farther north and cooler as it’s closer to the Monterey Bay. He was going to plant Chardonnay. He woke up and Franscioni recalls imitating Pisoni, and shouted, “plant Pinot!” Franscioni planted what became Rosella’s Vineyard, named for his wife, in 1996. He took Pisoni’s advice and planted four acres of Pinot Noir, although he still planted 12 acres of Chardonnay. It’s now a total of around 50 acres with three-quarters of it Pinot Noir. The next year, they decided to become partners and planted Garys’ Vineyard, a 50 acre parcel where they grow Pinot and a little Syrah. Since then, Franscioni has developed Sierra Mar, 38 acres of Pinot, Chardonnay, Syrah and a tiny amount of Viognier. The two teamed up again to establish Soberanes Vineyard, 35 acres of mostly Pinot Noir, with a little bit of Chardonnay and Syrah. That last vineyard was developed by Pisoni’s son Mark. The Garys might seem an unlikely pair. Pisoni is colorful character to say the least and has an outspoken manner. Franscioni comes across as more serious- minded. However, the collaboration between the two, who often address each other as “partner,” clearly works well. The two are good on their own, but better together. Pisoni being more gregarious acts as the frontman. He is the Ambassador. He’s a check on the rest to keep the quality high. Franscioni and Mark Pisoni run the farming on their own vineyards and work together on the joint ventures. The family involvement doesn’t stop there. Jeff Pisoni makes his family’s wines, which are under the Pisoni and Lucia brands. Franscioni’s son, Adam, joined the family business in time for the 2011 harvest. He handles sales for Roar and helps his father manage the vineyards. The grapes from all five vineyards are in huge demand, because the two families are such careful farmers, constantly tweaking and improving. Prominent customers include; Testarossa, Siduri, Kosta Browne, Copain and Bernardus. When a new vintner approaches them about buying grapes, the partners examine the winery’s track record and the Winemaker. If they like what they see, the winery is put on a waiting list. There’s not very much movement in their vineyards. When Franscioni planted Sierra Mar, he and Pisoni had 62 wineries waiting to buy fruit. Soberanes was developed with the idea of working with some new winemakers. There was some concern, even among the two families, that quality might suffer as the vineyard operations grew. However, there’s no indication that’s the case. In fact, with each new venture, they build on what they’ve learned in their older vineyards. Eventually, there will be even more vineyards. The Pisonis and Franscionis have purchased a 100 acre cactus farm in the Santa Lucia Highlands. There’s still a lease on the property. So, prickly pear cactus will continue to be grown for five more years. But at some point, the land will be planted with vines. Both families understand the importance of continuing to build for the future. The Garys looking back tell a story of being in the same spot some years ago and looking at a field of broccoli out back. He told Franscioni that the field would look a lot better with Pinot Noir vines. Now that parcel is part of Rosella’s Vineyard, and it’s planted with Pinot. Everybody thought he was crazy...most people usually think that when someone makes a bold decision. He’s a person who has always had vision and creativeness. He also has tremendous passion. Good things only happen when a person possesses all three of these qualities. Their wines are primarily available by mailing list. However, Nepenthe in Big Sur, CA acts as a quasi tasting room for some of their wines. — 8 years ago
Beau Marchais
Soberanes Vineyard Pinot Noir
Loved the nose, body and finish — 3 years ago
Sandlands
Santa Lucia Highlands Syrah 2018
The fruit for this wine come from the Soberanes vineyard which was planted in 2006 but already highly regarded. The vineyard is cared for by the Pisoni and Fanscioni families. Brought to Tasting Group and presented double-blind. The wine pours a deep purple color with a near opaque core. On the nose, the wine is slightly smokey with purple flowers, blue and black fruit, and wood. On the palate, blue fruits, olive brine and black pepper. Medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. The finish is long, dusty and earthy. Only one person called Central Coast Syrah with other guesses ranging from Northern Rhone to Cabernet Sauvignon to Malbec. While I found this to be really enjoyable, I think some time in the cellar will allow this to come together. Only 4 barrels produced. — 5 years ago
Soberanes Vineyard
Anaba Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir 2016
Absolute rock star - brought it to the restaurant , paired it with mussels in a curry sauce , everybody at the table couldn’t get enough — 6 years ago
Twomey
Monument Tree Vineyard Pinot Noir 2015
Intensely perfumed nose of pine and redwood with spiced red fruits, a bit of a nervous energy that still needs to settle especially if sipping without food. On the palate the red fruit is sappy and sweet with good acidity though the pine and spice keep it structured. Different food makes it show differently but not really toward the fresh juicy direction like the Soberanes. Getting to know the vineyard and feels like a cold weather fall and winter wine. Very unique wine from a unique site. — 8 years ago
Cattleya Wines
The Initiation Syrah 2021
2021 vintage. Very very interesting. Soberanes Vineyard fruit. Alban Clone 1. Côte-Rôtie nose of crushed violets, game meats, smoke, bleached white paper. Plenty of darkness with the color. Drinking more on the aged Burgundian/Rhône side so light-medium body with silky highlights. Flavors of ripe blackberry, lavender, tobacco, Chambord and cracked pepper. Does not taste like it just got bottled and über-elegant now. Newish flavors married to a 12-15 year-old chassis makes for fascinating enjoyment. 172 cases/7 barrels made. 6.19.23. — 3 years ago
Lucia
Soberanes Vineyard Chardonnay 2019
アメリカのシャルドネ
コテコテ — 4 years ago
Krutz Family Cellars
Soberanes Vineyard Chardonnay 2018
Nice Chard from WTSO — 5 years ago
Lucia Vineyards (Pisoni)
Soberanes Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014
A fine wine; go slow to the last drop...about 2 hrs. — 8 years ago
La Rochelle Winery
Recherché Reserve Soberanes Vineyard Pisoni Pinot Noir 2012
At Brian’s. Great company. — 8 years ago
Delectable Wine
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Fresh and buoyant, the 2022 Pinot Noir Estate Cuvée shoots a vibrant array of sweet cherry, black raspberry and clove from the glass. Neatly structured yet enthusiastic, the stem inclusion adds lift and spiciness but doesn’t distract. The 2022 finishes with a linear drive. I admire the concentration of fruit here. Vineyard sites are Pisoni, Garys’ and Soberanes—a blend that really works. (Billy Norris, Vinous, August 2024)
— 2 years ago