2019 Cortada Alta Vineyard Pinot Noir
Santa Lucia Highlands AVA
Tasting Notes
“Medium garnet hue. Aromas of dried cranberry, pomegranate, orange zest, and vanilla bean leap out of the glass. With some further aeration, notes of papaya, dried cherry, and dried roses round out the aroma profile. Upon taste, these attributes persist and are united by modest acidity and expansive tannins. This Pinot Noir finishes with supple texture and a soothing polish. Enjoy now through 2027.”
~Bill Brosseau, Director of Winemaking
February 2021
“Vivid red. A complex, highly perfumed bouquet evokes an array of fresh, spice-accented red and blue fruit and floral qualities, along with suggestions of vanilla, cola and woodsmoke. Sappy, alluring sweet and finely etched on the palate, offering intense raspberry, kirsch, candied rose and exotic spice flavors that deftly combine depth and vivacity. The floral and spice notes recur on a strikingly long, seamless finish that’s framed by smooth, polished tannins. 73% new French oak.”
Josh Raynolds
Vinous
May 2022
Production Data
Growers: Peterson Family
Winemaker: Bill Brosseau
Appellation: Santa Lucia Highlands AVA
Elevation/Exposure: 1400 ft./South, West, and East
Soil: Chualar loam with outcroppings of granite
Vineyard Age: 5 years
Viticulture Practice: Farmed Organic
Vinification: Destemmed, fermented in Stainless steel
Cooperage & Ageing: 14 months in 100% French Oak, 73% new
Production: 7.5 barrels
Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Acidity: 3.72 pH, 5.72 TA (g/L)
Alcohol: 14.2%
Harvest: October 11, 2019, hand harvested
Club Release: February 2021
Release Price: $74
Drink Now through 2027
Past Vintage Wine Scores
“Deep color, soft cherry nose, silky texture with remarkable depth for such a young wine, mature cherry fruit; rich, complex and long.”
Anthony Dias Blue
September 2020
“An intriguing and decidedly complex wine right from the first sniff whose moderately intense aromas of black cherries and creamy oak are accented with notes of dusty soil and a near-subliminal hint of ginger, the 2018 Cortada Alta Vineyard Pinot is, if anything, even deeper and richer than billed once in the mouth. Its fruity concentration and focus are first rate, and its balance is impeccable. It is, in short, a complete and very rich, well-layered wine that could go for another ten years, and, if wanting of a wait for no less than half that long in order to fully bloom, it is undeniably tasty now and is certain to tempt early drinking.”
Connoisseurs’ Guide to California Wine
June 2021
“Limpid ruby-red. Pungent red berry, cherry pit and floral scents are accompanied by suggestions of blood orange, vanilla and succulent herbs. Sappy and focused on the palate, offering cherry-vanilla, red currant, mocha and licorice flavors and a touch of candied rose. Spreads out nicely with air and finishes very long, with a gently tannic note, resonating florality and smooth, well-judged tannins that lend gentle grip.”
Josh Raynolds
Antonio Galloni’s Vinous
November 2019
The Cortada Alta Vineyard
This family owned vineyard is the second vineyard property for John and Lynn Peterson, the first being the Peterson Vineyard on River Road. Cortada Alta is Spanish for “High Notch” as it is located in the western notch of the Santa Lucia Highlands appellation. It sits at 1,400 feet in elevation and has a South Eastern exposure. The soil is rich Chualar loam with outcroppings of granite. This sunny site sits mostly above the fogline with expansive views of the Salinas Valley below. Planted in 2014, Testarossa’s first vintage of Pinot Noir from the vineyard was in 2017 and the first vintage of Chardonnay was in 2019.