Reprinted from i-winereview.com, Oct. 31st, 2021
Started in 2005, The International Wine Review is an industry leading publication oriented around wine education for wine consumers and wine trade professionals. Thoughtful reviews are enhanced by bi-monthly comprehensive regional reports.
Left to right: Don Winkler, Editor and Mike Potashnik, Publisher
It seems like ages since we tasted with Diana and Rob Jensen at their winery in Los Gatos, but then almost everything pre-Covid seems to have happened a long time ago. We’re very pleased to have the opportunity to again taste their new releases, made by long-time, very talented Director of Winemaking, Bill Brosseau. In this article we review the 2019 Testarossa Chardonnays, both appellation blends and single vineyard wines from some of the very best vineyards in Central California. We also taste Diana’s Chardonnay, which is a blend of selected barrels from multiple vineyards and appellations. These are well crafted wines harvested at optimal ripeness and made to balance rich flavors with fresh acidity and moderate alcohol levels. We’ll be reviewing the current releases of Testarossa Pinot Noirs next.
Tête de Cuvée
94 points
2019 Diana’s Chardonnay
California AVA
“This California blend is one of Testarossa’s top wines and most significant for its opulent, suave mouth feel. The bouquet is especially marked by citrus with an orange blossom floral note and a scent that evokes wet river stones. It’s exceptionally creamy and hedonistic, mouth filling with subtle, rich flavors that mirror the bouquet. Although well oaked, its perfectly integrated. It has moderate acidity but good firmness on the finish. A blended barrel selection of the single vineyard Chardonnays made by Testarossa. Matured 16 months in 61% new French oak; TA 5.6 g/L, pH 3.44, 14.2% alc.” International Wine Review
Single Vineyard Wines
95 points
2019 Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Chardonnay
Santa Rita Hills AVA
“Our favorite of the Testarossa Chardonnays, the Sanford & Benedict Vineyard is a standout with its depth and precision. Lemon citrus and stone fruit notes are accompanied by a floral, honeysuckle-like component on an admirably concentrated, deeply flavored, silky palate. Showing refinement and balance, the wine reveals deft winemaking as well as exceptional terroir. Sourced from the historic, northern facing Sanford & Benedict Vineyard at 400′ elevation. This historic vineyard was planted by Richard Sanford and Michael Benedict in 1971 in siliceous gravel covering deep, well-drained soils and a relatively high water table fed by springs located in the hills behind the vineyards and winery, thus permitting dry farming. Matured 15 months in 46% new French oak. TA 7.23 g/L, pH 3.24, 14.1% alc.” International Wine Review
94 points
2019 Brosseau Vineyard Chardonnay
Chalone AVA
“Cured lemon, beeswax and spice show on the nose. This is a complex and savory Chardonnay with good phenolics and a hint of salinity. The flavors evoke dried fruit, prairie flowers and herbs. Finishing with a chalky, grippy mouth feel and lingering earth and mineral notes. 14.1% alc.” International Wine Review
94 points
2019 Fogstone Vineyard Chardonnay
Santa Lucia Highlands AVA
“With a citrus and orchard fruit character similar to the Cortada Alta Chardonnay, the Fogstone Vineyard is infused with minerals from the nose to the precise, lingering finish of stony extract. The palate is dry but dense and beautifully balanced. Spends 18.5 months in 53% new French oak. 3.12 pH, 7.12 TA 456 cs.” International Wine Review
94 points
2019 Rosella’s Vineyard Chardonnay
Santa Lucia Highlands AVA
“The Rosella’s Vineyard Chardonnay begins with a perfumed bouquet of citrus and pear with orange blossom and mineral accents. The perfume persists in the mouth with optimally ripened fruit and toasty oak notes. Seamless and with good depth, this is one of the best Chardonnays we’ve had from the Santa Lucia Highlands. Sourced from Gary and Rosella Franscioni’s 50 acre Rosella’s Vineyard planted in 1996 with Dijon clones 76, 95 and 96. It lies just north of Garys’ Vineyard and is just about in the center of the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA with a southeast aspect. Matured 14 months in 29% new French oak; TA 7.23 g/L, pH 3.24, 14.3% alc.” International Wine Review
94 points
2019 Rosemary’s Vineyard Chardonnay
Arroyo Grande Valley AVA
“Showing aromas of yellow pit fruit, tangerine, honeysuckle, and toasted grain, the Rosemary’s Vineyard Chardonnay shows an energetic tension between rich fruit and tangy acidity on a tightly focused palate. Finishes long, fresh and succulent with bright, mouthwatering acidity. Harvested Oct 9 and matured 17 months in 47% new French oak. TA 6.93 g/L, pH 3.15 14.1% alc. Planted beginning in 1987 and located 7 miles to the east of the Pacific, the 29 acre (12 of Chardonnay) Rosemary’s Vineyard is a cool climate growing site. 14.1% alc.” International Wine Review
93 points
2019 La Rinconada Vineyard Chardonnay
Santa Rita Hills AVA
“Sourced from one of the great vineyards of the Sta. Rita Hills, this is a relatively reserved, balanced Chardonnay. It begins with notes of citrus blossom and chalky minerals on the nose and proceeds with Asian pear and citrus on a balanced, somewhat grippy, long-lasting palate. A delicious wine, subdued and well-made. Harvested Oct 17 from La Rinconada Vineyard, a 130 acre vineyard planted in 1997 on sandy loam soil derived from deposits of the Santa Ynez River; it’s adjacent to the Sanford & Benedict Vineyard in the Santa Rita Hills. TA 6.33, pH 3.31, 14.2% alc.” International Wine Review
93 points
2019 Lone Oak Vineyard Chardonnay
Santa Lucia Highlands AVA
“Begins with pure aromas of lemon, clementine, thyme and just a hint of buttery apple. Concentrated California fruit flavors on the palate with excellent balance and good firmness. Lovely mouth feel, almost creamy, with a clean, focused finish. Sees 18.5 months in 45% new French oak 3.12 pH, 7.12 TA 384 cs.” International Wine Review
93 points
2019 Rincon Vineyard Chardonnay
Arroyo Grande Valley AVA
“Fresh on the nose with subtle notes of ripe orchard fruit and lemon with hints of toastiness. Soft and round in the mouth with medium weight and concentration and a sense of overall elegance. Not a showy wine but confident and solid, finishing on a refreshing note. Harvested Oct 18 from the Rincon Vineyard located 7 miles northeast of the Pacific and first planted by the Talley Family in 1982. Aged 18.5 months in 29% new French oak; TA 6.33 g/L, pH 3.53, 14.1% alc.” International Wine Review
93 points
2019 Sierra Mar Vineyard Chardonnay
Santa Lucia Highlands AVA
“Beginning with toasty hints of vanilla, apple, pear and nectarine, this is an especially fresh and lively Chardonnay from Testarossa. There’s good intensity of flavor, integrated oak, and a creamy palate with nice grip, finishing long and flavorful. But it’s the freshness that sets this wine apart. From the 1000′ high Sierra Mar Vineyard, the highest in the Santa Lucia Highlands, owned by the Franscioni family. Harvested Sept 20; matured 18 months in 36% new French oak. TA 5.81 g/L, pH 3.49, 14.2% alc.” International Wine Review
93 points
2019 Soberanes Vineyard Chardonnay
Santa Lucia Highlands AVA
“Somewhat reticent on the nose with whiffs of lemon verbena and cooking spice. Dense and rich in the mouth with some firmness but also with a leesy note. Super long and rich, chalky mineral like finish. Matured 19 months in 43% new French oak 3.29 pH, 7.06 TA 336 cs.” International Wine Review
93 points
2019 Tondre Grapefield Chardonnay
Santa Lucia Highlands AVA
“Offering a perfume of pear, white stone fruit and lemon-like citrus, this is one of the more fruit-driven Testarossa Chardonnays. The attack is crisp, and there’s a firm backbone and good richness on a texturally rich and tactile palate. Clean, fruity and vibrant finish. Harvested Sept 20 from the Tondre Grapefield Vineyard at 174-400′ elevation originally planted in 1997 by Tondre and Joe Alarid and located just south of Garys’ Vineyard. It has soils of decomposed granite, gravel and sandy loam. Matured 11 months in 38% new French oak. TA 5.68, pH 3.39, 14.3% alc.” International Wine Review
92 points
2019 Cortada Alta Vineyard Chardonnay
Santa Lucia Highlands AVA
“Complex bouquet with aromas of orchard and citrus fruit accompanied by a light resin-like fragrance. Lush and flavorful on the palate with well-integrated oak and a very appealing, silky mouth feel. Aged 10 months in 66% new French oak. 3.59 pH, 5.36 TA 75 cs.” International Wine Review
Appellation Wines
93 points
2019 Santa Rita Hills Chardonnay
“Showing lots of sunny California fruit, the Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay evokes tangerine citrus, Meyer lemon, and touches of tropical mango and pineapple. It’s well balanced with good freshness and depth and a pleasing, suave mouth feel. Finishes long and flavorful. Outstanding for the price. Aged 14 months in 17% new French oak. 3.33 pH, 7.54 TA 408 cs.” International Wine Review
91 points
2019 Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay
“Medium yellow gold. Showing notes of tropical fruit, honeysuckle, and smoky minerals on the nose, this wine has a beautiful, chamois-like mouth feel. Flavor wise, it reveals nuances of stone fruit, hazelnuts, and spice, finishing with soft, lingering notes of ripe fruit married to honeyed oak. A lovely wine for roast chicken or loin of heritage pork. Matured in 21% new French oak. pH 3.08, TA 6.08, 14.2% alc. 2544 cs.” International Wine Review
