TESTAROSSA Winery
This winery has more ultra-premium Pinot Noir vineyard sources than any other winery in California. Hand this
plethora of blue-ribbon grapes to a peerless winegrower and winemaker and the result is one of the Golden
State’s preeminent wineries.
Testarossa Winery was launched in 1993 in Los Gatos by Rob and Diana Jensen after careers in technology.
Winemaking has been led by Bill Brosseau since 2000. Bill works with over 20 vineyard partners in the Santa
Lucia Highlands, Monterey County, Sta. Rita Hills, Arroyo Grande Valley, Chalone, and Russian River Valley
appellations.
A number of superb 2020 and 2021 vintage Testarossa Pinot Noir wines are reviewed here. To purchase, visit
the winery’s website at www.testarossa.com.
2020 Testarossa Cuvée Los Gatos Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., pH 3.50, TA 0.67, RS .07%, 2,932 cases, screw
cap, $32. Released May 2022. The entry level offering. Grapes are sourced from Monterey County AVA
sustainable vineyards. Aged 16 months in stainless steel and 11% new French oak barrels.
·
Light garnet color
in the glass., A fruity nose featuring aromas of red cherry, strawberry and complimentary oak. Light and gentle
in the mouth with a core of oak-kissed cherry fruit framed by gossamer tannins.Good freshness with a bright,
slightly tart cherry drop finish.
Score: 88
2020 Testarossa La Rinconada Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., pH 3.27, TA 0.644, RS
07%, 380 cases, $74. Released May 2022. 23-year-old vines, Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing
(CCSW). 67% Pommard 4 clone, 33% Mount Eden clone. Grapes were 100% de-stemmed and fermented in
stainless steel. Aged 19 months in French oak barrels, 57% new.
·
Moderately dark garnet color in the glass.
Very alluring perfume of warm cherry pie with spicy a la mode. The essence of red and dark red cherry and
raspberry is long in the mouth and infused with tasty spice. Refined in character with bright acidity, agreeable
tannins, and a compliment of oak. This wine is simply outstanding.
Score: 94
2020 Testarossa Rincon Vineyard Arroyo Grande Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., pH 3.59, TA 0.592, RS .
03%, 432 cases, $74. Released August 2022. 35-year-old vines grown in a SIP Certified vineyard. Clones 2A,
667 and 115. 100% de-stemmed, fermented in stainless steel. Aged 21 months in French oak barrels, 60%
new.
·
Dark garnet color in the glass. A vigorous nose arrives over time in the glass revealing striking aromas of
blackberry, spice, and forest. A spirited wine with exuberant flavors of black cherry, black raspberry, blackberry,
black licorice and spice. Flat-out delicious with a measured use of oak, a well-proportioned tannic backbone,
snd a follow-through of uncommon tenaciousness.
Score: 94
2020 Testarossa Rosemary’s Vineyard Arroyo Grande Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., pH 3.56, TA 0.533,
RS .06%, 384 cases, $74. Released June 2022. 100% 667 clone. 33-year-old vines in a SIP Certified vineyard.
Aged 18 months in French oak barrels, 56% new. 100% clone 667.
·
Moderate garnet color in the glass. Vivid
aromas of well-spiced cherry and easy oak. Well-crafted and charming in a mid-weight style, with a caressing
mouthfeel and generous flavors of black cherry, black raspberry, cocoa, and toasty oak. The tannins are refined
making for good approachability. Very slick mouthfeel. Not a blockbuster but a seductive wine. I rarely
encounter a 100% 667 clone wine that is this complete.
Score: 95
2020 Testarossa Niclaire California Pinot Noir
14.3% alc.,
pH 3.40, TA 0.644, RS .08%, 615 cases, $100. Released June
2022. The winemaker’s choice of the best barrels in the cellar.
Sourced from multiple vineyards including Sanford & Benedict
(35%), La Rinconada (15%), Rincon (15%). Rosemary’s (8%),
Brousseau (4%), and new oak barrel. A sexy wine that is
Rancho La Vina (4%). 100% de-stemmed, fermented in
stainless steel. Aged 17 months in French oak barrels, 65%
new.
·
Dark garnet color in the glass. Haunting aromas of black
cherry, raspberry, sous bois and new oak. Discreet intensity of
flavor in a mid-weight style, offering flavors of dark red cherry,
red raspberry, strawberry, and spice. Flawless, with a very sleek
mouthfeel and spot-on integration of tannins and acidity. Very
well-mannered now and easy to like, but has the balance to rest
in the cellar for even more enjoyment in years to come. This is
the winemaker’s best effort and it shows.
Score: 96
2021 Testarossa Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., pH 3.56, TA 0.645, RS .04%, 3,700 cases,
$55. Aged 10 months in French oak barrels, 39% new.
·
Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Nicely
perfumed with aromas of oak-kissed cherry, baking spices and rose petal. Straight-forward and easy drinking
with a core of wood-fired cherry and berry framed by soft, silky tannins and bright acidity. Oak plies the
background in a complimentary manner. The finish is short but accommodating.
Score: 89
2021 Testarossa Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., pH 3.19, TA 0.792, RS .05%, 288 cases, $57.
Release February 2023.
·
Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Welcoming aromas of dark cherry,
pomegranate, vanilla and a hint of toast. A flood of delicious dark stone and purple berry fruits greet the palate.
and really pops. The bright acidity reflects its SRH origins.The intense fruitiness carries through an impressive
finish. Oak plays a very subordinate role in this wine.
Score: 92
2021 Testarossa Rancho La Viña Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
14.4% alc., pH 3.25, TA 0.787, RS .
07%), 192 cases, $76. 15-year-old vines. 100% clone 115. Grapes were 100% de-stemmed and fermented in
stainless steel. Aged 11 months in French oak barrels, 53% new.
·
Dark garnet color in the glass. Exuberant
aromas of black cherry, black raspberry, cola, and oak-driven spice and smoke. On the palate, the flavors echo
the aromas. This broad-shouldered wine acquires interest over time in the glass as it sheds some of its
sumptuous oak The finish is modestly long with a sweet and sour stamp.
Score: 90
2021 Testarossa Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., pH 3.25, TA 0.792, RS
.05%, 528 cases, $76. Release August 2023.
·
Similar to the 2020 vintage of this wine but more backward and
needs some time in the cellar. Dark garnet color in the glass. Aromas of darkest cherry, spice box and barnyard
are appealing but slow to come to the fore. Mid-weight plus flavors of boysenberry, blackberry and
pomegranate have discreetly concentrated richness that carry over to a very long and sleek finish.
Score: 93
2021 Testarossa Rosella’s Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
240 cases, $76. Release February
2022. 25-year-old vines. 100% de-stemmed and fermented in stainless steel. Aged 11 months in French oak
barrels, 50% new.
·
Moderate garnet color in the glass. The woodsy nose offers fruit aromas of blackberry and
blueberry. A mid-weight styled wine with a darker fruit profile than is usually present in Pinot Noir from Rosella’s
vineyard (typically red fruit predominates). There is a discrete richness of purple berry flavor backed by suede
tannins. The wine is quite tasty and although it lacks mid-palate generosity, the wine finishes on a high note
with good length.
Score: 91
2021 Testarossa Tondré Grapefield Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., pH 3.18, TA 0.81, RS .
07, 504 cases, $76. Release December 2022. 12-year-old vines in a SIP Certified vineyard. Aged 11 months in
French oak barrels, 70% new.
·
Dark garnet color in the glass. Aromas of blackberry, baking spice and toasty
oak lead to a mid-weight plus styled wine with a bounty of blueberry and blackberry fruit. A masculine wine,
with heavyweight fruit that coats the tongue. Succulent rather than complex and not for those seeking Pinot
delicacy.
Score: 90
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