Project Description
2017 Rosella’s Vineyard Pinot Noir
Santa Lucia Highlands AVA
Tasting Notes
“Dense red hue. Cherry, pomegranate, roasted strawberry, and boysenberry jumpstart the seductive aroma profile of this Pinot Noir. With some aeration, secondary characters of papaya, orange zest, and jasmine intensify the complexity and hedonism of this wine. Upon taste, these attributes continue to deliver and satisfy, along with fine grain tannins and modest acidity. This Pinot Noir ends beautifully with layers of complexity, vibrancy, and pleasure. Enjoy now through 2026.”
~Bill Brosseau, Director of Winemaking
“Vivid red. Heady aromas of ripe red and blue fruits are complemented by suggestions of allspice, cola and vanilla. Silky and appealingly sweet on the palate, offering sappy raspberry, cherry, boysenberry and rose pastille flavors and a touch of mocha. Shows very good depth but comes off lively, even graceful. Finishes subtly tannic and seamless, displaying excellent persistence and lingering floral and spice qualities.”
Josh Raynolds
Antonio Galloni Vinous
November 2019
Production Data
Growers: Gary and Rosella Franscioni
Winemaker: Bill Brosseau
Appellation: Santa Lucia Highlands AVA
Barrel Aging: 18 months
Cooperage: 100% French Oak, 54% new
Production: 13 barrels
Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Acidity: 7.05 g/L – 3.22 pH
Alcohol: 14.4%
Harvest: September 14, 2017
Consume Now through 2026
Past Vintage Wine Scores
“The 2016 Pinot Noir Rosella’s Vineyard offers attractive scents of red berries and plum. It is very elegant on the palate with persistent red fruit, soft round tannins and rich juicy flavors. It is floral and fragrant with a touch of spice and hints of vanilla with lots of finesse. One of the finest vineyards in the Santa Lucia Highlands.”
International Wine Review
December 2018
“Limpid ruby-red. Intensely perfumed cherry, black raspberry and floral pastille scents are complemented by hints of cola, vanilla and Asian spices. Palate-staining red and blue fruit and spicecake flavors show impressive power and a bright, light touch thanks to a core of juicy acidity. The floral quality repeats strongly on an impressively long, sappy, seamless finish shaped by smooth, subtle tannins. ”
Antonio Galloni
Josh Raynolds
November 2017
“Pure and snappy, with dusty earth, juicy plum and raspberry flavors, accented by notes of spice, cedar and anise. Broad and expansive midpalate, gaining traction from the fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2022. 384 cases made.”
Wine Spectator
“Medium ruby color; spicy cherry, and plum aromas with earthy, oak notes; ripe, bright cherry and plum flavors with complex earthy notes; silky texture; good structure and balance; long finish. Earthy, well balanced Pinot that has good structure for age.”
The Pinot Report
“Taut and spicy, with a firm core of earth- and graphite-laced dark berry notes, shaded by cedar and light spice accents. Tightens midpalate, ending with a dense core of complex flavors that push forward with authority. Drink now through 2024. 408 cases made. ”
Wine Spectator –JL
“The 2011 Pinot Noir Rosella’s Vineyard had no such issues and is a total extrovert on the nose. Perfumed and laced with sweet spice, strawberry and sappy underbrush and floral tinges, this medium-bodied, supple and fruit-loaded Pinot Noir has excellent ripeness and is hard to resist. Enjoy it over the coming 4-6 years. Drink now-2019.”
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
August 2013
The Rosella’s Vineyard
Rosella’s Vineyard is one of the most renowned estates in the Santa Lucia Highlands. It is owned by Gary and Rosella Franscioni. Originally planted in 1996, Rosella’s has forty acres of “Pisoni clone” Pinot Noir an ten acres of Dijon clone Chardonnay. The property’s close proximity to Monterey Bay makes for a very cool climate, with one of California’s longest growing seasons. The resulting slow, gentle ripening allows for full flavor development on the vine. Two acres each of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay at Rosella’s are allocated annually to Testarossa.
Past Vintages
Wine Production Data
Tasting Notes
“Medium red hue. Engaging scents of anise, sage, tea, sweet cherry pie, and orange zest. There are secondary aromas of grapefruit, melon, and pomegranate as well. Upon taste notes of cherry, pomegranate, and melon persist. With polished tannins and lively acidity, this Pinot Noir delivers now but into the future as well with its youthful, yet firm finish. Enjoy now through 2026.”
~ Bill Brosseau, Director of Winemaking
Production Data
Growers: Gary and Rosella Franscioni
Winemaker: Bill Brosseau
Appellation: Santa Lucia Highlands AVA
Barrel Aging: 16 months
Cooperage: 100% French Oak, 41% new
Production: 16 barrels
Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Acidity: 6.56 g/L – 3.27 pH
Alcohol: 14.4%
Harvest: September 13, 2016
Consume Now through 2026
Tasting Notes
“Deep red color. Hedonistic aromas of violets, rose petal, pomegranate and cranberry. In the background, there is nice level of orange zest and marmalade jam. Upon taste, notes of red fruits and citrus focus the palate. This wine is very bright, vibrant, and pure. The seamless texture continues and ends with a delicate and persistent finish. Enjoy now through 2025.”
~ Bill Brosseau, Director of Winemaking
Production Data
Growers: Gary and Rosella Franscioni
Winemaker: Bill Brosseau
Appellation: Santa Lucia Highlands AVA
Barrel Aging: 8.5 months
Cooperage: 100% French Oak, 60 % new
Production: 10 barrels
Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Acidity: 6.5 g/L – 3.49 pH
Alcohol: 14.4%
Harvest: September 3, 2015
Consume Now through 2025
Tasting Notes
“Medium red hue. The nose of this generous Pinot Noir showcases the more elegant side of the Santa Lucia Highlands. Delicate scents of sage, pomegranate, black tea, blueberry and violets are paired nicely with the typical characteristics of lemon, cherry, and strawberry. While the flavors stay true to the aroma profile, the red fruits concentrate on the palate. The smooth, soft, silky, and lush mouthfeel lend this wine to immediate pleasure and difficult to lay down for some time in the cellar. Enjoy now through 2023.”
~ Bill Brosseau, Director of Winemaking
Production Data
Growers: Gary and Rosella Franscioni
Winemaker: Bill Brosseau
Appellation: Santa Lucia Highlands AVA
Barrel Aging: 10.5 months
Cooperage: 100% French Oak, 57 % new
Production: 14 barrels
Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Acidity: 6.27 g/L – 3.53 pH
Alcohol: 14.5%
Harvest: September 22, 2014
Consume Now through 2023
Tasting Notes
“Brick red hue. Complex aromas of cranberry, cloves, dark cherry, and ripe raspberries leap out of the glass. Upon aeration, elements of lemon, pomegranate, and rose petal rounds out the engaging nose of this fine Pinot Noir. This wine exhibits flavors of cranberry, pomegranate, lemon, red raspberries, and red cherry. The focused acidity helps bring out red fruit qualities and is balanced by polished tannins. Very hedonistic finish and difficult to hold back from filling up another glass. Enjoy now through 2022.”
~ Bill Brosseau, Director of Winemaking
Production Data
Growers: Gary and Rosella Franscioni
Winemaker: Bill Brosseau
Appellation: Santa Lucia Highlands AVA
Barrel Aging: 19 months
Cooperage: 100% French Oak, 58 % new
Production: 19 barrels
Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Acidity: 6.23 gL / 3.4 pH
Alcohol: 15.3%
Consume Now t0rough 2022
Tasting Notes
“Deep red hue. Scents of ripe cherry, raspberry, strawberry are tamed by elements of anise, cloves, and orange blossoms. These aromas segue nicely into a palate with lively acidity and seductive tannins. The juicy nature of this wine while tamed by silky tannins, leads to a stunning sensory experience. The long lingering finish reiterates the ability of this vineyard to please. Drink now through 2022.”
~ Bill Brosseau, Director of Winemaking
Production Data
Growers: Gary and Rosella Franscioni
Winemaker: Bill Brosseau
Appellation: Santa Lucia Highlands AVA
Barrel Aging: 9 months
Cooperage: 100% French Oak, 65 % new
Production: 17 barrels
Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Acidity: 5.58 gL / 3.58 pH
Alcohol: 14.3%
Consume Now t0rough 2022
Tasting Notes
“Dark red color. Red cherry, black pepper, vanilla bean, papaya, and cloves make up the seductive aromas of this Pinot Noir. There is an exciting range of flavors on the palate, with a savory fusion of cherries, black pepper, and cloves. Refined, silky tannins are met by moderate acidity, balancing the sensory rollercoaster of flavors and textures. Drink now through 2020. It will complement a wide variety of dishes – grilled salmon with mushroom risotto is a natural..”
~ Bill Brosseau, Director of Winemaking
Production Data
Growers: Gary and Rosella Franscioni
Winemaker: Bill Brosseau
Appellation: Santa Lucia Highlands AVA
Barrel Aging: 14 months
Cooperage: 100% French Oak, 35 % new
Production: 13 barrels
Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Acidity: 5.82 gL / 3.54 pH
Alcohol: 14.3%
Club Release: March 1, 2013