Project Description
2018 Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
Santa Lucia Highlands AVA
Tasting Notes
“Deep red color. Complex aromas of cherry, ripe cranberry, pomegranate, lemon-zest, papaya, and strawberry leap out of the glass. Secondary notes of jasmine, sage, and lemon thyme dress this Pinot Noir blend nicely. The flavor profile remains true to the aromas and exhibits juicy tannins and balanced acidity. The finish continues its pleasure streak with a complex and long adventure. Enjoy now through 2027.”
~Bill Brosseau, Director of Winemaking
2018 Vintage Review
“Ripe cherry nose, bright, crisp, fresh and juicy; sweet red cherry fruit and snappy acidity, tangy, silky and amiable, long and balanced.”
Anthony Dias Blue
The SOMM Journal
April 2020
Production Data
Growers:Various
Winemaker: Bill Brosseau
Appellation: Santa Lucia Highlands AVA
Barrel Aging: 11 months
Cooperage: 100% French Oak, 30% new
Production: 3,070 cases
Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Acidity: 6.21 TA (g/L) – 3.88 pH
Alcohol: 14.3%
Harvest: Various
Drink now through 2027
Wine Scores
“Earthy nose; lush and ripe with smooth texture and juicy cherry fruit; crisp and long, balanced.”
Anthony Dias Blue
SOMM Journal
April 2019
“Lush, juicy and bright with tangy cherry and raspberry fruit; smooth, juicy and balanced, long and stylish.”
Anthony Dias Blue
SOMM Journal
June 2018
“Deep red. Smoke-tinged red berries and cherry cola on the perfumed nose. Pliant and seamless in the mouth, offering sappy raspberry and bitter cherry flavors complemented by vanilla and allspice flourishes. Silky and open-knit, offering an appealing interplay of richness and vivacity. Smooth tannins frame the nicely persistent finish, which leaves sweet mocha and cherry preserve notes behind.”
Josh Raynolds
Antonio Galloni’s Vinous
November 2017
“Complex and generous, offering a mix of smoky currant, blueberry and wild berry flavors, with baking spice aromas and fine-grained tannins. There’s much to be admired in this effort. Drink now. 2,400 cases made.”
Wine Spectator
–JL
“Fresh and vibrant, with a rich mix of mineral, red and dark berry, plum and raspberry most evident. Reveals depth and persistence on the finish, showing fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2021. 1,320 cases made.”
Wine Spectator
–JL
“This new line from the well-regarded Testarossa Winery is a barrel selection emphasizing richness. The wine floods the mouth with succulent raspberries and cherries, with tarter notes of cranberries and red licorice. Earthiness provides extra complexity, and it could age well through 2020.”
Wine Enthusiast
“Kicking off the Pinot Noirs from the Santa Lucia Highlands and Monterey County, the 2011 Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands is a knockout AVA blend. Showing a darker fruit slant, with plenty of currants, blackberry, toasted spice and earth, it’s beautifully rich and balanced on the palate, with clean acidity and ripe tannin. It’s loaded with character and should drink nicely through 2019. Drink now-2019.”
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
August 2013
Santa Lucia Highlands
Working closely with the top vineyards in the Santa Lucia Highlands’ appellation, Testarossa has produced yet another distinctive vintage of this highly anticipated Pinot Noir. The Highlands is one of the state’s best known regions for world-class Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The area’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. Testarossa’s production team’s partnership with the best estates in the Santa Lucia Highlands ensure only the highest quality fruit makes it to the winery.
Past Vintages
Wine Production Data
Tasting Notes
“Brick red hue. Aromas of ripe cranberry, red cherry, orange peel followed by notes of boysenberry jam and ripe blackberry. Upon taste, these characters focus towards red fruits and citrus. This wine is lively on the palate with bright acidity and polished tannins. As this wine lingers, it continues a fresh and pleasing journey. Enjoy now through 2024.”
~ Bill Brosseau, Director of Winemaking
Production Data
Growers:Various
Winemaker: Bill Brosseau
Appellation: Santa Lucia Highlands AVA
Barrel Aging: 10 months
Cooperage: 100% French Oak, 23 % new
Production: 2,000 cases
Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Acidity: 6.32 g/L – 3.48 pH
Alcohol: 14.3%
Harvest: Various
Drink now through 2024
Tasting Notes
“Medium red hue. This Pinot Noir blend from the Santa Lucia Highlands showcases classic aromas of pomegranate, cranberry, orange zest, sage and dried herbs as well as some underlying notes of chokecherry and vanilla bean. Upon taste, the red fruits and dried herbs intensify in the palate. Modest acidity and a full range of tannins make for a wine with great depth and versatility. The finish continues with an abundance of fine grain tannins, red fruits, and youthful characters. Enjoy now through 2025.”
~ Bill Brosseau, Director of Winemaking
Production Data
Growers:Various
Winemaker: Bill Brosseau
Appellation: Santa Lucia Highlands AVA
Barrel Aging: 9 months
Cooperage: 100% French Oak, 22 % new
Production: 3,584 cases
Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Acidity: 5.6 g/L – 3.54 pH
Alcohol: 14.2%
Harvest: September 2016
Consume Now through 2024
Tasting Notes
“Deep red hue. Engaging scents of ripe cherry, pomegranate, and orange zest jump out of the glass and are followed gently by notes of nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, and anise. Upon taste, the flavors focus more on red cherry and chokecherry profiles, with spice notes in the background. There is great concentration of fine grain tannins, which provides dimension yet good polish as well. This wine ends with a bright, fresh, and vibrant taste, then fades gently to a smooth and lush finish. Enjoy now through 2025.”
~ Bill Brosseau, Director of Winemaking
Production Data
Growers: Various
Winemaker: Bill Brosseau
Appellation: Santa Lucia Highlands AVA
Barrel Aging: 11 months
Cooperage: 100% French Oak, 56% new
Production: 86 barrels
Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Acidity: 6.42 g/L – 3.54 pH
Alcohol: 14%
Harvest: September 2015
Consume Now through 2025
Tasting Notes
“Deep red hue. This engaging Pinot Noir opens up with vast arrays of fruit and spice. Notes of red cherry, ripe raspberry, boysenberry, pomegranate, and orange blossoms are paired distinctly with anise, sage, and cloves. As the wine envelopes the palate, flavors of cranberry, pomegranate, orange, red cherry, and cloves focus more deeply. The texture of the wine is vibrant with very focused tannins, lending this wine to some wonderful years ahead. This wine finishes nicely with hedonistic layers and multi-dimensional nuances. Enjoy now through 2022.”
~ Bill Brosseau, Director of Winemaking
Production Data
Growers: Various
Winemaker: Bill Brosseau
Appellation: Santa Lucia Highlands AVA
Barrel Aging: 10 months
Cooperage: 100% French Oak, 12% new
Production: 214 barrels
Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Acidity: 5.6 g/L – 3.53 pH
Alcohol: 14.6%
Harvest: September 2014
Consume Now through 2022
Tasting Notes
“Deep red color. Tightly woven nose, yet releases hints of pomegranate, orange blossoms, red cherry, and vanilla bean. Flavors of cherry, pomegranate, and citrus persist deep into the palate. Very expansive mouth-feel with vibrant acidity and lush tannins. The wine finishes with a firm ending but should soften and lengthen over the coming years. Drink now through 2019.”
~ Bill Brosseau, Director of Winemaking
Production Data
Growers: Various
Winemaker: Bill Brosseau
Appellation: Santa Lucia Highlands AVA
Barrel Aging: 11 months
Cooperage: 100% French Oak, 31% new
Production: 3,633 cases
Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Acidity: g/L – 3.61 pH
Alcohol: 14.3%
Harvest: September 2013
Consume Now through 2019
Tasting Notes
“Deep red hue. Vibrant notes of anise, vanilla bean, orange blossom, dark cherry, cranberry, strawberry preserves swirl nicely in the nose. Flavors of cherry, cranberry, and citrus transition nicely into a refreshing palate, balanced with crisp acidity and silky tannins. Finish is multi-layered, complex, and hedonistic. Drink now through 2018.”
~ Bill Brosseau, Director of Winemaking
Production Data
Growers: Various
Winemaker: Bill Brosseau
Appellation: Santa Lucia Highlands AVA
Barrel Aging: 11 months
Cooperage: 100% French Oak, 45% new
Production: 2,488 cases
Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Acidity: g/L – pH
Alcohol: 14.3%
Harvest: September 2012
Consume Now through 2018
Tasting Notes
“The 2011 SLH release is a classic example of Pinot Noir from the Highlands – ripe black cherry and plum flavors, with a full mid-palate and a light touch of spicy oak on the finish. The trademark bright acidity makes the wine incredibly versatile for food-pairing. Traditional pairings include roast chicken, duck, or salmon. But this wine will stand up to just about anything off the grill, as well.”
~ Bill Brosseau, Director of Winemaking
Production Data
Growers: Various
Winemaker: Bill Brosseau
Appellation: Santa Lucia Highlands AVA
Barrel Aging: 11 months
Cooperage: 100% French Oak, % new
Production: 2,831 cases
Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Acidity: g/L – pH
Alcohol: %
Harvest: