2015 Dos Rubios Vineyard Chardonnay
Santa Lucia Highlands AVA
Last Vintage: 2015
Tasting Notes
“Pale straw hue. Engaging scents of vanilla bean, orange, kiwi, and cinnamon. With some time in the glass, notes of papaya, apricot, crème brulee, and peach slowly release. The flavors stay with the colors of yellow and orange with elements of custard, peach, orange, apricot, which are reined in by notes of minerality. The texture is intricate, yet supple. Bright and fresh, while exhibiting fullness and density. This hedonistic Chardonnay ends with a creamy, lush, pure, and lingering minerality. Enjoy now through 2024.”
~Bill Brosseau, Director of Winemaking
October 2016
“Savory sea salt aromas meet with oaky spice, flinty minerality and white flower sweetness on the nose of this excellent bottling by Bill Brosseau. There is a nervy tension to the sip, with grapefruit pith, light cashew, apple and brown spice flavors, carries by a chalky mouthfeel that grabs hold of the palate and doesn’t let go.”
Wine Enthusiast
Production Data
Growers: Kirk Williams
Winemaker: Bill Brosseau
Appellation: Santa Lucia Highlands AVA
Barrel Ageing: 12 months
Cooperage: 100% French Oak, 38% new
Production: 21 barrels
Composition: 100% Chardonnay
Acidity: 6.66 g/L – 3.31 pH
Alcohol: 14.3%
Harvest: August 18, 2015
Consume Now through 2024
Past Vintage Wine Scores
“This is a dynamic wine, showing Key lime, yellow apples, oak smoke, butter, tangerine pith, macadamia nut and sea salt on the nose. The palate is streamlined with lime pith, lemon rind and seared pineapple flavors.”
Matt Kettmann
November 2016
“From a single vineyard now designated as a monopole, this wine by winemaker Bill Brousseau, who designed the vineyard, and vintners Rob Jensen and Kirk Williams shows minty herbs and tangerine oil on the nose. There is great restraint on the palate that walks a razor’s edge of balance, with flavors of tart Key lime pith and riper orange blossom.”
Wine Enthusiast
“Picking a favorite from Testarossa’s roster of collectively stunning 2012 Chardonnays is a close-to-impossible task, but this outstanding wine wins a place at the very head of the class. It hits all the right marks from its deep, beautifully focused fruit to its layered richness, but its striking sense of balance and composure is what propels it to the top. It has the uncommon virtue of being wholly delicious right now and yet promising so much more if allowed to rest for a few years, so whether it is poured early on or stashed away, it is a wine sure to dazzle now and for years to come.”
Connoisseurs’ Guide to California Wine
May 2014
“This delicious Chardonnay is showing ripe mango, Meyer lemon, lime, apricot, peach and kiwi flavors, liberally oaked and brightened with crisp acidity. It defines the California Chardonnay style of opulent elegance.”
Wine Enthusiast
The Dos Rubios’s Vineyard
Dos Rubios represents a partnership between two red heads: Testarossa Founder, Rob Jensen and Vineyard Grower, Kirk Williams. Director of Winemaking, Bill Brosseau has worked with Williams to design the vineyard from the ground-up having planted it in 2008. Wine from Dos Rubios Vineyard carries a unique character like many of our other single vineyards from the Santa Lucia Highlands. Dos Rubios Vineyard is located on the southern end of the appellation.