May 15, 2023 - 2003 Roar Pisoni Pinot Noir. Alc 14.9%
Dense dark mix of red and purple fruits
Moderately sweet. Dark plum and Asian spices predominate
Still a very California profile
No heat
Bought at release and cellared at 55F
January 16, 2013 - 2003 ROAR has always been a bummer for me...too disjointed, hot, and an alcoholic mess. Rosella's has been the best...and my last bottle of the Pisoni back in 07 was ok, but in need of time. Well....this is the last of the many 2003 Roar's that I bought...and thankfully it leaves the cellar on a good note! Very dark berried, almost liqueured, but bright with high toned acidity. Dark spices, forest, smoked cherries/blueberries, dusty florals/hay bales. Little heat, but not at ALL like the other cocktail '03's. Nice cream to go with the high toned fruit. Definitely Cali....full flavored...tasty!
June 24, 2012 - Very fruity, blackberry jam, dark spices, big and plenty of heat. Quite fresh and fruity for a 10 year old SLH Pinot. Guessed '09 SRH. Way off on the age! I'll give myself an excuse because it was dark and the wines were getting a little chilled. Not my style, but well-made.
June 24, 2012 - Served blind. Ripe nose with Christmas spice. Big, pretty, rich fruit with light tannin. This was together enough for me to really enjoy it in the way those very fruit fruit bombs can. Obvious guess for Cali and there was some familiarity there that I couldn't pin down. My fav of the reds easily.
January 10, 2011 - Tight the first day, opened nicely 2nd day showing good balance and structure. VGood varietal character, plummy fruit, classic Pisoni Asian spice. Certainly CA style, though reasonable balance. Probably at it's best 2012-4.
November 29, 2010 - Or 89+, I'm undecided. Better on second day, when this was more expressive. Red/dark red fruit profile, not terribly complex, some dusty notes. But a good drink, just not exciting or contemplative.
February 6, 2010 - Wine is drinking beautifully. Tons of fruit and that cherry cola taste that I come to expect from Roar and Pisoni.
January 8, 2010 - Popped and poured. Started off slowly, somewhat closed and certainly hot on the finish. As it opened up, though, really started to sing. Lots of blueberry and black raspberry on the nose and palate. Impressive weight on the mid-palate and a long finish. Decant for at least 30 minutes.
July 11, 2008 - Quite good compared to my last Roar which was over the top and unbalanced but this wine shows none of those flaws. Nice clean ripe fruit that is concentrated but not overpowering. Good acidity, resolved tannins, admirable fruit character and elegance. Decanted for sediment and served at cellar temperature (highly recommended). The dregs showed definite leather characteristics. Not a lot of complexity and this wine should probably be consumed sooner rather than later but excellent nonetheless.
June 15, 2008 - Dark red fruit, not much decanting time needed. Wonderful with grilled tuna. Cherry, strawberry and pomegranate, yeah.