Reprinted from i-winereview.com, Dec. 1, 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
Testarossa has been successfully making a wide range of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines for well over two decades, quite a feat in the ever changing and trendy world of fine wine. They work with some of the most renowned vineyards in the Central Coast of California, primarily in the Santa Lucia Highlands, but also from Arroyo Grande, the Santa Rita Hills, Santa Maria and their winemaker Bill Brosseau’s family vineyard in the Chalone appellation. Brosseau has been director of winemaking at Testarossa since 2003, and his intimate knowledge of the Central Coast is reflected in his approach and ability to elicit the subtle nuances of so many single vineyard bottlings. He also makes blended appellation wines from Santa Lucia and Santa Rita for both varietals.
In this article we take a look at the most recent releases of Pinot Noir from the winery – both appellation wines and several single vineyard wines from the 2019 vintage. The appellation wines are made in a more forward, fruit driven, early drinking style, while all the wines show balance, refinement and sophistication. Brosseau has a deft touch that allows the terroir of these wines to express themselves in an unmanipulated manner.
Reserve
95 points
2019 Niclaire Pinot Noir
California AVA
“Opening with deep fruit aromas complicated by a woodsy perfume, the Niclaire is supple and juicy with opulent flavors. It’s vibrant and pure with abundant quantities of ripe California fruit with sweet tannins and a mouthwatering finish. A blend of the best barrels from the Testarossa’s outstanding vineyards.” International Wine Review
Single Vineyard Wines
95 points
2019 Brosseau Vineyard Pinot Noir
Chalone AVA
To be released January 2022
“The Brosseau Vineyard Pinot Noir from the Chalone AVA is youthful and still tight but reveals its terroir with its structure and complex savoriness. Herbs, spice and underlying fruit are revealed in the bouquet, leading to a complex, layered, savory and refined palate. There’s also a subtle expression of lush fruit. A complete Pinot Noir that in time will show still more complexity and nuance.” International Wine Review
95 points
2019 La Rinconada Vineyard Pinot Noir
Santa Rita Hills AVA
“The La Rinconada Pinot Noir is high toned with a floral/fruity nose of dark rose petals and perfumed cherry and exotic spice nuances. On the palate, it’s refined and silky but also racy with excellent freshness and vibrancy and significant intensity. Vibrant and long on the finish with well-knit tannins.” International Wine Review
95 points
2019 Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Pinot Noir
Santa Rita Hills AVA
“Exotic, pure perfume of violets and roses interwoven with raspberry and cherry that carries over to a lithe, finely honed and intensely concentrated palate with fine grained tannins that lend just enough spine. Finishes with a vibrant, long aftertaste.” International Wine Review
94 points
2019 Garys’ Vineyard Pinot Noir
Santa Lucia Highlands AVA
“High toned and lively, the Garys’ Vineyard Pinot Noir offers floral, darker cherry and spice notes on the nose. On the palate, it’s light on its feet and impressively clean and pure with a silky texture. Finishes with excellent persistence and rich extract.” International Wine Review
94 points
2019 Rincon Vineyard Pinot Noir
Arroyo Grande Valley AVA
“A beautifully crafted, elegant and nuanced wine revealing high toned fruit along with rose petal floral and spice notes on the nose. Gorgeous silky mouth feel and excellent balance with savory notes on the palate and finishing long with good grip.” International Wine Review
94 points
2019 Rosella’s Vineyard Pinot Noir
Santa Lucia Highlands AVA
“The Rosella’s Vineyard Pinot Noir is a lively, opulent, fruit driven wine that begins with a subtle floral-like perfume of cherry complicated by a vanilla nuance. That’s followed by fresh, ripe cherry flavors on a silky textured palate. Finishes on a mouthwatering note, fresh, lively and pure.” International Wine Review
94 points
2019 Rosemary’s Vineyard Pinot Noir
Arroyo Grande Valley AVA
“Begins on a savory note with cooking and oak spice and earthy herbal scents on the nose, but beautiful, sweet dark red fruit erupts on the palate producing a finesse-styled, harmonious combination. Excellent persistence with tangy, dark cherry lingering forever.” International Wine Review
93 points
2019 Pisoni Vineyard Pinot Noir
Santa Lucia Highlands AVA
“Ripe dark cherry on the nose with hints of wood spice. Finely textured and full fruited with vibrant ripe cherry flavors and refreshing acidity on a dense, toasty palate. Well balanced, racy, and ripe in character.” International Wine Review
93 points
2019 Soberanes Vineyard Pinot Noir
Santa Lucia Highlands AVA
“The Soberanes Pinot Noir is bold and bursting with fresh, ripe red fruit from the brambly nose to the long aftertaste. It explodes in the mouth with an assertive core of cherry, raspberry and dark red plum energized by crisp acidity and supported by a firm structure. Well integrated finish.” International Wine Review
93 points
2019 Tondre Grapefield Pinot Noir
Santa Lucia Highlands AVA
To be released Dec 9, 2021
“Voluptuous nose of sweet dark red cherry interwoven with red raspberry. Dense and hedonistic, keenly concentrated palate with touches of earthiness and toasted oak on the finish. A bold, fruit driven Pinot Noir from the Santa Lucia Highlands.” International Wine Review
Appellation Wines
93 points
2019 Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir
“Opening with deep, juicy fruit aromas complemented by an attractive hint of spearmint like spice. Impressive, keenly concentrated palate with significant flavor authority, vibrant and fresh.” International Wine Review
91 points
2019 Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
“Pure red cherry nose. Vibrant scents of raspberry, blackberry, and hints of pomegranate and earthy spice jump out from the glass. An attractive, rather showy appellation blend with lively, just fresh picked fruit and a touch of brambles on a palate of medium depth. A very pretty wine with a nice clean finish.” International Wine Review
