2017 Black Ridge Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
200% New Oak
Santa Cruz Mountains AVA
Tasting Notes
“Very dark red color. Generous notes of boysenberry, crème brulee, blackberry jam, cassis, cocoa, and cherry. Once on the palate, these qualities are met with big, firm, and intense tannins. The acidity maintains a fresh and youthful touch which requires generous aeration in the near-term for immediate enjoyment. Retasting on the second night with no gassing, the tannins are beautiful, plush, and full. This wine finishes fresh, intricate, and very big. This is the biggest intensity wine in the entire Testarossa lineup. Decant prior to enjoyment. Enjoy now through 2035.”
~Bill Brosseau, Director of Winemaking
October 2022
Special Limited Release
Not Yet Reviewed
Production Data
Growers: Jim Landes and Fred Faltersack
Winemaker: Bill Brosseau
Appellation: Santa Cruz Mountains AVA
Elevation/Exposure: 825 – 1175 feet; Southeast, South, Northeast
Soil: Sandy loam with sandstone and calcareous shale
Vineyard Age: 18 years
Viticulture Practice: Farmed Organic
Cooperage & Barrel Ageing: 58 months in 100% new French oak Barrels. Racked into a second set of 100% new French oak barrels midway through ageing.
Production: 3 barrels
Composition: 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot
Acidity: 3.34 pH, 8.14 TA (g/L)
Alcohol: 14.3%
Harvest: October 3 – 17, 2017, hand harvested
Release Price: $99
Drink Now through 2035
Past Vintage Wine Scores
“Tangy and bright, clean and balanced with fine acid structure, toasty plum and spice, long and impressive.”
Anthony Dias Blue
The Tasting Panel
July 2021
Editors’ Choice
“This Cab was treated to 200% new oak, resting for 34 months in the first set of two barrels and then another 11 months in a new set of barrels. The wine sucked it all up seamlessly. Aromas of dried herb, light fennel and mint play up against the dark red fruit of the nose. The palate meanwhile is loaded with umami character, giving a savory edge to the roasted black plum and purple flower flavors.”
Matt Kettmann
Wine Enthusiast
The Black Ridge Vineyard
Located on the inland side of the coastal Santa Cruz Mountains Appellation, Black Ridge Vineyards produces Testarossa’s Bordeaux varietals consisting of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot and Petit Verdot.
This historic vineyard is ideally situated to avoid the harsh coastal winds and fog that cover the majority of the appellation. The vineyard was originally planted in the mid 19th century, but replaced by prune trees during Prohibition and then a Christmas tree farm. In 1999, it was returned to its original roots with grapevines. Testarossa Director of Winemaking Bill Brosseau oversees the management of the vineyard working closely with vineyard staff that take great care in hand manicuring this one of a kind vineyard.