2021 Rincon Vineyard Pinot Noir
Arroyo Grande Valley AVA
Tasting Notes
“Deep red hue. Notes of ripe cherry, plum, and orange blossoms start the excitement on the nose of this Pinot Noir. With some aeration, elements of cloves, jasmine, and blackberry jam provide instant hedonism. The convergence of all these enchanting qualities gains intensity on the palate, then sailing into undulating fine tannins and modest acidity. The concentration of this wine is incredible and just shy of too much, making it one of the finest Rincon Pinot Noirs to date we have crafted. The lingering and pleasing finish earns the rating of sublime. Enjoy now through 2032.”
~Bill Brosseau, Director of Winemaking
May 2023
“Interesting aromas of sliced strawberry, smoke, and peach follow through to a full body with medium velvety tannins and a fresh finish. Shows excellent structure. Drink after 2025.”
JamesSuckling.com
June 2023
Production Data
Growers: Talley Family
Winemaker: Bill Brosseau
Appellation: Arroyo Grande Valley AVA
Elevation/Exposure: 400 feet; West, Southwest
Soil: Shallow soil composed of local and calcareous clay
Vineyard Age: 36 years
Viticulture Practice: Sustainable (SIP Certified)
Vinification: Destemmed, fermented in Stainless steel
Cooperage & Ageing: 16 months in French Oak, 60% new
Production: 5 barrels
Composition: 100% Pinot Noir (2A Clone)
Acidity: 3.49 pH, 6.48 TA (g/L)
Alcohol: 14.1%
Harvest: September 14, 2021, hand harvested
Club Release: May 2023
Release Price: $76
Drink Now through 2032
Past Vintage Wine Scores
Cellar Selection
“This well-crafted, elegant and focused wine starts with aromas of black raspberry, light mocha and a touch of thyme. An expertly wound core of red fruit is kissed lightly by wood on the palate, and the fruit slowly unfurls amidst crumpled red and purple flowers. Drink now–2040.”
Matt Kettmann
Wine Enthusiast
December 2022 Issue
“Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. This wine captures your attention from the get-go. Beguiling aromas of blackberry, ripest strawberry, earthy flora and pumpkin spice. Mid-weight plus in structural power, with fruit that really pops on entry and persists in generosity through a very long and quenching finish. Excellent balance and soft in the mouth with an array of vivid purple and black fruit and spice flavors supported by ingratiating tannins. Sinfully delicious even when tasted the following day from a previously opened bottle.”
Rusty Gaffney
The PinotFile
October 2021
“Deep ruby color, red cherry nose, smooth, elegant and tangy; a lovely expression of this famed vineyard, graceful and balanced, long and pure.”
Anthony Dias Blue
September 2021
“Brilliant red. Scents of ripe red berries, cherry cola and vanilla show excellent delineation and pick up vibrant floral and spice nuances as the wine opens up. Sweet and incisive in the mouth, offering juicy cherry, raspberry, rose pastille and smoky mineral flavors that flesh out steadily on the back half. The floral note recurs strongly on the clinging finish, which features harmonious tannins and a late, exotic touch of blood orange.”
Josh Raynolds
Antonio Galloni Vinous
November 2019
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“Fresh, juicy and crisp with lively cherry fruit and a long finish;”
Anthony Dias Blue
The SOMM Journal
July 2019
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“Pert, ripe and lively with an especially keen fix on red plums and cherries in its faintly brushy, gently oaked aromas and showing a wee hint of woodsy spice in its layered, solidly fruity flavors, this neatly balanced youngster starts out with a silky, slightly supple palatal note upon entry yet sports a good deal of buoyancy from front to back. Never flamboyant, but racy and always nicely composed, it is a Pinot Noir whose fruity energy and lively gait should hold it in very good stead for a half-decade or more.”
Connoisseurs’ Guide
November 2019
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“Sweet cherries, raspberries, spice, and sappy, floral notes all emerge from the medium-bodied 2017 Pinot Noir Rincon Vineyard, followed by sweet tannins and a rounded, forward, approachable style. Drink it over the coming 4-5 years.”
Jeb Dunnuck
October 2019
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“Deep ruby color; soft cherry nose; lush and deep, this famed vineyard scores again; smooth texture with fresh cherry fruit and profound depth, juicy and beautifully balanced; long and stylish.”
Anthony Dias Blue
August 2018
“Deep red. Ripe red fruit, vanilla and potpourri on the expressive, mineral-accented nose. Offers juicy, oak-tinged cherry, raspberry and rose pastille flavors that show excellent depth and focus, with a sweet cola nuance emerging with aeration. Closes smooth and quite long, with impressive power, smooth tannins and strong tenacity. “
Josh Raynolds
Antonio Galloni Vinous
November 2017
“The 2014 Pinot Noir Rincon Vineyard comes from the Arroyo Grande Valley and limestone and clay soils. Like all the Pinots here, it was destemmed and aged just under a year in 60% new French oak. Balanced, lengthy, textured and medium-bodied, it has plenty of classic Pinot Noir notes of ripe cherries, black raspberries, spice and dried earth. I like it today, but it should keep nicely for at least 4-5 years.”
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“From an appellation that thrived in this vintage comes a wine with aromas of cinnamon, nutmeg and licorice shavings atop fresh hibiscus and pomegranate flavors. There’s bountiful energy on the palate, with flavors of dried-cherry and a densely packed array of chopped dill, roasted fennel and dried mint.”
Wine Enthusiast
“One of the more elegant releases in the lineup, the 2012 Pinot Noir Rincon Vineyard has loads of crushed flowers, rose petal and sweet berry fruit in its medium-bodied, silky and lightly textured profile. Completely destemmed and aged 17.5 months in 38% new French oak, enjoy this beauty over the coming 2-4 years.”
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
The Rincon Vineyard
Owned by the Talley Family, who have farmed Southern San Luis Obispo County for three generations, the Rincon Vineyard dates back to 1982. Planted just 7 miles Northeast of the Pacific Ocean, the vineyard has soils that are reminiscent of Burgundy, in particularly the Côte de Nuits with its steep terrain. Working closely with the Talley Family, Testarossa owners, Rob and Diana Jensen, and Director of Winemaking Bill Brosseau, have created very exceptional Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with classic old world flavors, great concentration and complexity.