2022 Rosella’s Vineyard Pinot Noir
Santa Lucia Highlands AVA
Tasting Notes
“Medium red hue. Aromas of cherry cola, sage, raspberry jam, blackberry, flow out initially and are met by nuances of earl grey tea, licorice, and jelly belly. Once on the palate, these qualities persist and intensify. There is an incredible vibrancy yet silkiness to the texture. This Pinot Noir finishes plush with notes of minerality. Enjoy now through 2031.”
~Bill Brosseau, Director of Winemaking
February 2024
“Dark boysenberry, intense lavender and light licorice spice converge for a complex nose on this bottling. The palate is zippy with soda pop-like freshness, offering purple fruit and flower flavors that are balanced by a citrusy bite.”
Matt Kettmann
Wine Enthusiast
May 2024
Production Data
Growers: Franscioni Family
Winemaker: Bill Brosseau
Appellation: Santa Lucia Highlands AVA
Elevation/Exposure: 300 – 400 feet; East
Soil: Sandy, gravelly loam
Vineyard Age: 26 years
Viticulture Practice: Sustainable (SIP Certified)
Vinification: Destemmed, fermented in Stainless steel
Cooperage & Ageing: 12 months in 100% French oak, 55% new
Production: 11 Barrels
Composition: 100% Pinot Noir (Clone 667 & Pisoni Clone)
Acidity: 3.30 pH, 7.3 TA (g/L)
Alcohol: 14.2%
Harvest: September 15, 2022, hand harvested
Release Price: $79
Drink Now through 2031
Past Vintage Wine Scores
“The 2021 Pinot Noir Rosella’s Vineyard is creamy, rich and enveloping. Soft, silky tannins wrap around a core of dark red/purplish fruit, blood orange and pomegranate. Spice, tangerine peel and mint hints add an exotic flair. More than anything else, the Rosella’s impresses with its total sensuality and class.”
Antonio Galloni
Vinous
November 2023
“Billowing aromas of rich Bing cherry and rose petals are incredibly inviting on the full nose of this single-vineyard expression. Fresh and joyous flavors of cherry compote arise on the palate, where peppery spices, grapefruit peel and just enough acidity unfurl into the long finish.”
Matt Kettmann
Wine Enthusiast
May 2023
“Rosella’s is one of the most special vineyards of the Santa Lucia Highlands, as we noted after our visit to Rosella’s with owner Gary Franscioni while preparing our Santa Lucia Highlands report. This wine captures the essence of Rosella’s. It offers a ripe fruited nose with floral and mineral notes. On the palate, there’s a deep intensity of ripe dark red fruit accompanied by a good grip of acidity. It’s a delightful wine, youthful but delightful, with delicious layers of fruit and spice and perfectly integrated oak. Outstanding. Fermented in stainless steel with no whole clusters. Sees 11 months in 50% new French oak.”
Don Winkler
International Wine Review
November 2023
“This is well put together, with a solid, defined core of black cherry and red currant pâte de fruit, laced with singed anise, warm fruitcake and sweet tobacco accents. Reveals a nice sanguine thread that adds contrast through the finish. Drink now through 2027. 240 cases made.”
James Molesworth
Wine Spectator
June 2023
“Silky and balanced, showing raspberry, cherry and pomegranate; juicy and fresh, Burgundian and stunning, long and impressive.”
Anthony Dias Blue
February 2021
“Limpid ruby. Pungent, spice-accented red/dark berries, cola, licorice, mocha and baking spices on the highly fragrant nose. Offers appealingly sweet black raspberry, cherry preserve and five-spice powder flavors that smoothly blend depth and energy. Closes very long, smooth and gently smoky, with slowly building tannins and a zesty mineral finish. 57% new French oak.”
Josh Raynolds
Vinous
May 2022
“Medium ruby color, juicy and crisp with racy acidity and tangy cherry fruit; silky and bright, long and fresh.”
Anthony Dias Blue
September 2020
“Vivid red. Heady aromas of ripe red and blue fruits are complemented by suggestions of allspice, cola and vanilla. Silky and appealingly sweet on the palate, offering sappy raspberry, cherry, boysenberry and rose pastille flavors and a touch of mocha. Shows very good depth but comes off lively, even graceful. Finishes subtly tannic and seamless, displaying excellent persistence and lingering floral and spice qualities.”
Josh Raynolds
Antonio Galloni Vinous
November 2019
“The 2016 Pinot Noir Rosella’s Vineyard offers attractive scents of red berries and plum. It is very elegant on the palate with persistent red fruit, soft round tannins and rich juicy flavors. It is floral and fragrant with a touch of spice and hints of vanilla with lots of finesse. One of the finest vineyards in the Santa Lucia Highlands.”
International Wine Review
December 2018
“Limpid ruby-red. Intensely perfumed cherry, black raspberry and floral pastille scents are complemented by hints of cola, vanilla and Asian spices. Palate-staining red and blue fruit and spicecake flavors show impressive power and a bright, light touch thanks to a core of juicy acidity. The floral quality repeats strongly on an impressively long, sappy, seamless finish shaped by smooth, subtle tannins. ”
Josh Raynolds
Antonio Galloni
November 2017
“Pure and snappy, with dusty earth, juicy plum and raspberry flavors, accented by notes of spice, cedar and anise. Broad and expansive midpalate, gaining traction from the fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2022. 384 cases made.”
Wine Spectator
“Medium ruby color; spicy cherry, and plum aromas with earthy, oak notes; ripe, bright cherry and plum flavors with complex earthy notes; silky texture; good structure and balance; long finish. Earthy, well balanced Pinot that has good structure for age.”
The Pinot Report
“Taut and spicy, with a firm core of earth- and graphite-laced dark berry notes, shaded by cedar and light spice accents. Tightens midpalate, ending with a dense core of complex flavors that push forward with authority. Drink now through 2024. 408 cases made. ”
JL
Wine Spectator
“The 2011 Pinot Noir Rosella’s Vineyard had no such issues and is a total extrovert on the nose. Perfumed and laced with sweet spice, strawberry and sappy underbrush and floral tinges, this medium-bodied, supple and fruit-loaded Pinot Noir has excellent ripeness and is hard to resist. Enjoy it over the coming 4-6 years. Drink now-2019.”
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
August 2013
The Rosella’s Vineyard
Rosella’s Vineyard is one of the most renowned estates in the Santa Lucia Highlands. It is owned by Gary and Rosella Franscioni. Originally planted in 1996, Rosella’s has forty acres of “Pisoni clone” Pinot Noir and ten acres of Dijon clone Chardonnay. The property’s close proximity to Monterey Bay makes for a very cool climate, with one of California’s longest growing seasons. The resulting slow, gentle ripening allows for full flavor development on the vine. Two acres each of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay of Rosella’s are allocated annually to Testarossa.