2020 Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Pinot Noir
Santa Rita Hills AVA
Tasting Notes
“Deep red hue. Aromas of jasmine, boysenberry, and blackberry jam are followed by notes of pomegranate, rhubarb, and cherry. This fusion of floral, dark, and red fruits sails into the palate and are matched with juicy tannins and a youthful texture. This Pinot Noir ends with richness and with great pleasure. Enjoy now through 2032.”
~Bill Brosseau, Director of Winemaking
March 2022
“A wonderfully spicy nose is comprised by exceptionally pretty red and blue pinot fruit that is laced with subtle floral nuances, and in particular, violet and rose petal. The succulent, round, generously proportioned and highly seductive middleweight flavors aren’t quite as precise but do offer outstanding persistence on the dusty, moderately and youthfully austere finale. This is also very impressive.”
Allen Meadows
Burghound
October 2022
July 2022
Production Data
Growers: Terlato Family
Winemaker: Bill Brosseau
Appellation: Sta. Rita Hills AVA
Elevation/Exposure: 395 feet; North
Soil: Santa Lucia shaly clay loam and Botella clay loam, with proportion of fragmented chert
Vineyard Age: 12 years
Viticulture Practice: Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing (CCSW)
Vinification: Destemmed, fermented in Stainless steel
Cooperage & Ageing: 17 months in 100% French Oak, 56% new
Production: 27 barrels
Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Clone: 33% Clone 667, 44% Clone 943, 23% Clone AS-1
Acidity: 3.38 pH, 6.56 TA (g/L)
Alcohol: 14.3%
Harvest: September 19, 2020, hand harvested
Club Release: April 2022
Release Price: $74
Drink Now through 2032
Past Vintage Wine Scores
“Deep ruby color. lush and deep with cherry, raspberry, rhubarb and spice, a delicious blend of characteristics, superb and memorable.”
Anthony Dias Blue
February 2021
“Lovely raspberry nose; silky texture, juicy and crisp, fresh, structured and long; a stunning, elegant wine.”
Anthony Dias Blue
March 2020
“Brilliant red. Ripe raspberry, cherry-vanilla and floral scents show good depth as well as vivacity thanks to a spicy topnote. Energetic red fruit flavors display very good depth and take on hints of candied rose and exotic spices with air. Finishes with sharp focus and strong cling, leaving red fruit preserve and floral notes behind.”
Josh Raynolds
Antonio Galloni Vinous
November 2019
“Elegant and silky, juicy and pure; from the first superstar Pinot vineyard in California; smooth and restrained, Burgundian and long with superb finesse and balance.”
Anthony Dias Blue
August 2018
“Deep, vivid red. Displays vibrant, spice-accented red berry, cola and floral pastille aromas that show very good clarity and a suggestion of smoky minerality. Sweet, pliant and concentrated, offers ripe raspberry and cherry flavors that are enlivened by a kick of juicy acidity. Rich but energetic, delivering strong, fruity lift on a long, sappy and gently tannic finish”
Josh Raynolds
Antonio Galloni’s Vinous
November 2017
“Sanford & Beneduct Vineyard is one of California’s finest historic vineyards. The Pinot Noir grapes from the vineyard are very pretty with aromas of dark red cherry perfume. This wine is soft and elegant on the palate, beautifully balanced, silky smooth with persistent bright acidity on the finish.”
International Wine Review
“This Pinot Noir from the historic Sanford & Benedict Vineyard is elegant and refined with a pure and flavorful palate of red berry fruit and a hint of earth. It has a silky texture, excellent balance, and a long finish. Well done.”
International Wine Review
The Sanford & Benedict Vineyard
Sanford & Benedict Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills appellation is now back at Testarossa! Our first vintage from this outstanding vineyard was in 2004 when it was still under the guidance of famed Richard Sanford, pioneer of the Sta. Rita Hills appellation. In 2007 the Terlato family took ownership of the vineyard, making it one of several of their grape-growing properties including La Rinconada Vineyard just next door. Testarossa currently receives 6 of 16 acres of Pinot Noir and 4 of 28 acres of Chardonnay produced from Sanford & Benedict Vineyard. This beautiful vineyard sits at just about 400 feet in elevation with a northern exposure, just southeast of Lompoc. The soil consists of well-drained gravelly loam mixed with clay and fragmented chert.
The area is situated near an unusual valley perpendicular to the coast that allows funneled winds between the mountains and the sea that is ideal for growing cool-climate varietals such as Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.