Roar Wines Roar Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir 2022 750ml

This appellation blend is just as hedonistically delicious as many of the Franscioni family’s single-vineyard bottlings. Round aromas of black cherry, French toast spice and loamy earth lead from the nose into a boldly ripe palate of berry pie flavors. A shale-like minerality forms a rocky tension that keeps it all in balance. (Matt Kettmann)

The 2023 Pinot Noir (Santa Lucia Highlands) is an excellent introduction to the house style and the character of the vintage. Supple and textured, it boasts a beautifully articulated core of plump, sweet berry fruit and blood orange juiciness. Surprisingly structured for an appellation-level wine, the 2023 is a compelling choice for drinking in the near to medium term while the single-vineyard bottlings soften up. (Billy Norris)

Bright red fruits, sassafras, minty herbs, and flowers define the 2023 Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands. Pretty and pure, this medium-bodied effort shows considerable elegance, soft tannins, nicely integrated acidity, and a forward, charming, and delicious personality. Drink over the coming 4-6 years, if not longer. (Jeb Dunnuck)

The 2022 Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands is a terrific representation of the appellation. It’s fruit-forward and textured, with ripe cherry and redcurrant fruit as well as some spicy wood and dried flower notes. This medium-bodied, round, supple, sexy 2022 is perfect for drinking over the coming 4-6 years or so.

This blend of some of the top vineyards in all of California is always a wise investment. Aromas of red cherry and plum meet with sagebrush on the nose, while the palate brings a creamier cherry flavor alongside toasty baking spice and cookie crumble elements.

As with the regional Chardonnay bottling, the 2022 Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands punches well above its weight and offers a more slender, stylistically refreshing expression of Pinot Noir with less of a winemaking imprint. The nose is high-toned and energetic, offering the signature red-fruited profile typical to this lineup. The palate is slender within the context of the house style, with a soft, elegantly saturated finish and a pleasant touch of tannic grip.

Easygoing in feel, with friendly blood orange and mulled cherry fruit gliding over light savory and red tea notes. The perfumy, sneakily long finish shows a nice minerally twang. Drink now through 2026. 1,520 cases made. (James Molesworth)

Juicy, showing nice tension to the mix of red cherry and bitter plum fruit flavors, while warm stone, sweet tobacco and savory hints dart in on the finish. Drink now through 2025. 1,840 cases made. (James Molesworth)