2018 Mountain Select Red Blend
Santa Cruz Mountains AVA
Tasting Notes
“Very dark red hue. Potent aromas of boysenberry, blackberry, anise along with notes of oak spice, roasted cherry and sage generate a wonderful intro to this blend. These qualities segue into a palate with juicy tannins, expansive texture, and modest acidity. The finish is hedonistic, dimensional, and full. Enjoy now through 2035. Decanting is recommended for immediate enjoyment.”
~Bill Brosseau, Director of Winemaking
December 2023
“The 2018 Mountain Select is very archetypal Santa Cruz Mountains. A blend of all five Bordeaux varieties, the 2018 is still a very, very young wine that needs quite a bit of time to shed some of its tannic heft. Pomegranate, split pine, eucalyptus and crunchy red berries are some of the many nuances that build in the glass. Plush in fruit character but notably structured, the 2018 will require at least two or three years in the cellar. Juicy acids keep the mouth watering all the way through the finish. This is a really nice wine.” Antonio Galloni, July 2025
“Ripe red and dark fruit, pine cone, currant leaf, walnut and cedar notes on the nose. Full-bodied, bold and structured, with succulent fruit underneath. Fine and polished. Lingering finish. Drink or hold.” James Suckling, April 2024
Production Data
Growers: Various
Winemaker: Bill Brosseau
Appellation: Santa Cruz Mountains AVA
Viticulture Practice: Farmed Organic
Cooperage & Ageing: 55 months in 100% new French oak
Production: 22 barrels
Composition: 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Cabernet Franc, 14% Merlot, 11% Malbec, 9% Petit Verdot
Acidity: 3.31 pH, 7.68 TA (g/L)
Alcohol: 14.3%
Harvest: October – November 2018, hand harvested
Club Release: December 2023
Release Price: $70
Drink Now through 2035
Past Vintage Wine Scores
“Notes of crushed red and dark berries with cloves, star anise, bark and dried flowers. Medium-bodied and juicy with bright acidity and chalky tannins. Hints of earthiness at the end. Drink or hold.”
JamesSuckling.com
May 2023
“Deep garnet color. rich plum nose; bright, juicy and showing plum and berry fruit; toasty, long and balanced with style and finesse.”
Anthony Dias Blue
April 2020
Editors’ Choice
“Hearty reds from the Santa Cruz Mountains are often rigid, but this is a hedonistic version, with ample black cherry, caramel, cracked pepper and herbs on the nose. It remains fresh and vibrant on the palate with candied cherry and vanilla flavors framed by bright acid and polished tannins.”
Matt Kettmann
Wine Enthusiast
November 2019
“Opaque bright-rimmed ruby. Ripe cherry and cassis aromas show a peppery nuance and pick up floral pastille and vanilla notes with air. Sappy, smooth and appealingly sweet, offering concentrated black and blue fruit, sweet chewing tobacco, mocha and spicecake flavors that turn livelier on the back half. Supple tannins come in late, adding gentle grip to an impressively persistent finish that leaves juicy blueberry, vanilla and candied rose notes behind.”
Josh Raynolds
Antonio Galloni’s Vinous
November 2019
“Deep ruby color; smooth and juicy with tangy blackberry and racy acidity; clean and lush with depth and style; a blend of all five Bordeaux varieties with Merlot in the lead.”
Anthony Dias Blue
Santa Cruz Mountains
Testarossa has been making a red blend from the Santa Cruz Mountains since 2008. It comes from the mountainous Santa Cruz Mountains appellation that has been home to our winery since 1888. This red blend was formerly called Meritage, it is now called Mountain Select Red Blend. It is a full-bodied blend consisting of fruit from the Black Ridge Vineyard on the inland slope of the Santa Cruz Mountains just across the highway from the Lexington Reservoir. Cool night and warn sunny days allow for long, slow, full ripening of the fruit. Due to the inherent concentration of this blend, we age it in barrel for up to five years so it can develop at a graceful pace, lending to the maximum complexity and enjoyment for years to come.