NEWSLETTERS    NEW RELEASES

Winter 2007 New Releases

Pinot Noir
2006 Palazzio Pinot Noir, 3,628 cases
Sonoma, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz Counties
The 2006 vintage marks the 7th vintage of Palazzio being our most popular Pinot Noir at Testarossa.  The 2006 vintage is the richest Palazzio we’ve ever produced. Considering the list of world class vineyards that go into Palazzio each year, it is no surprise that this wine has countless layers of complexity, yet retains the signature richness. Also, we have added a new twist in 2006 to those of you who enjoy a smaller bottle of red. For the first time, our Palazzio Pinot Noir half bottles (375ml) are now being bottled with a screw-cap!
$37 per bottle ($29.60 per bottle for club members)
$20 per 375ml bottle ($16 per bottle for club members)

2005 Brosseau Vineyard Pinot Noir, 253 cases - 92pts Wine Enthusiast, 90pts Connoisseurs' Guide
Chalone Appellation, Monterey County
The Brosseau Vineyard, owned by Testarossa winemaker Bill Brosseau’s family, shows that terroir is indeed alive and well in California’s Pinot Noir vineyards.  One taste of our 2005 Brosseau Vineyard Pinot Noir evokes old world characteristics and complexity that comes from the limestone rich soils of the Chalone Appellation.  This classic style Pinot Noir is more restrained upon release. However, this wine due to the old world style soil influence, will evolve and flower dramatically with 2-4 years of bottle aging.
$54 per bottle ($43.20 per bottle for club members)

2005 Graham Family Vineyard Pinot Noir, 98 cases - 92pts Wine & Spirits, 90pts Wine Spectator, 3 Stars San Francisco Chronicle
Russian River Valley , Sonoma County
The Graham Family Vineyard has a special place in our hearts as it is the closest thing to an “estate” vineyard that we work with.  Vineyard owners Howard and Linda Graham have been a long time supporters and friends of Testarossa.  When Howard was getting ready to retire from being a high tech executive in 2000, he approached us with the idea of helping him find a vineyard site in the Russian River Valley.  He wanted us to help make decisions regarding varietals, clones, row orientation, farming practices and everything else that is involved with establishing a new vineyard.  Obviously, we jumped at the opportunity.  During the first few years of the vineyard, Mother Nature did not cooperate as there was either too much rain or too little. The 2005 was no exception to this rule; six inches of rain fell on the vineyard during the critical flowering period, which resulted in incredibly low yields that year.  Fortunately for you, the 2005 vintage’s low crop resulted in a wine of amazing depth, balance and concentration. As you can see, the critics also agree.  If you are lucky enough to get one of the few bottles of this wine we produced in 2005, you will be rewarded with layers of red cherry, berry and spice all wrapped in velvety smoothness and uncompromising balance.  This wine is ready to drink tonight, but will also improve significantly over the next three to four years or more.  For more details on Howard Graham's vineyard experience, please check out our new feature: Ask the Grower: An Interview with Howard Graham.
$54 per bottle ($43.20 per bottle for club members)

2005 Pisoni Vineyard Pinot Noir, 176 cases - 94pts Wine Enthusiast
Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County
No other vineyard has had a greater influence than the Pisoni Vineyard in establishing Monterey County’s Santa Lucia Highlands as one of the greatest spots in the world to grow Pinot Noir.  Gary Pisoni’s passion, persistence and his family’s obsession for ultimate quality have paid big dividends over the last 15 years. The 2005 vintage is another great example of a classic Testarossa Pisoni Pinot Noir.  Your biggest challenge will be to hold on long enough to your 2005 bottles to experience the evolution and maturing of this excellent vintage. 
$65 per bottle ($52.00 per bottle for club members)

Syrah

2005 Garys' Vineyard Syrah, 218 cases - 93pts Wine & Spirits - featured on Year's Best Syrah List, 91pts Wine Enthusiast
Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County
Cool climate Syrah is just that… really cool!  Long time Testarossa mailing list members will recall that in the late 1990s, Testarossa was influential in the two Garys (Franscioni and Pisoni) decision to plant a few acres of Syrah at their new Garys’ Vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands.  We are all very glad they did!!   The 2005 vintage is our seventh vintage of making Garys’ Vineyard Syrah and it is clearly our best to date.  Cool climate plum fruit is layered with white pepper and smoked bacon, characteristics that make this a great winter treat on anyone’s table.  A firm backbone of elegant tannins shows that this wine will mature and improve for many years to come.
$54 per bottle ($43.20 per bottle for club members)

2005 Thompson Vineyard Syrah, 219 cases – 92pts Wine Enthusiast, 91pts Wine & Spirits - featured on Year's Best Syrah List, 91 pts Connoisseurs' Guide
Santa Barbara County
With the 2005 vintage, Testarossa has begun to slowly expand our Syrah program.  Though Syrah still makes up less than 10% of Testarossa’s total annual production, we see a bright future for Syrah in California and in Testarossa’s cellars.  In 2005, we partnered with the Thompson Vineyard in Santa Barbara County and are thrilled with the initial results from this 15 year old vineyard.  Rich blueberry and red fruit characteristics are layered with nice mineral characteristics and a long silky tannin finish.  This wine is a delight to drink tonight but will certainly improve with five or more years of cellaring.
$49 per bottle ($39.20 per bottle for club members)

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