Project Description
2018 Santa Rita Hills Chardonnay
Sta. Rita Hills AVA
Tasting Notes
“Pale yellow hue. Concentrated scents of passionfruit, pineapple, coconut, and melon leap out of the glass. As this Chardonnay blend of prestigious vineyard lineage flows into the palate, the aromatic characters persist and are met with lush flavors of crème brulee. While the texture boasts plush, deep layers, the vibrant acidity maintains freshness and focus. This wine ends in a pleasing, refreshing, and dynamic finish. Enjoy now through 2027.”
~Bill Brosseau, Director of Winemaking
“If any California Chardonnay stands out as Burgundian, this one does. Elegantly framed with gingerbread and jasmine, its textural sophistication is undeniably stunning. Orange peel and salted white peach adorn the finish. “
Meridith May
The SOMM Journal
June/July 2021
Production Data
Growers: Various
Winemaker: Bill Brosseau
Appellation: Sta. Rita Hills
Barrel Aging: 14 months
Cooperage: 100% French Oak, 14% new
Production: 720 cases
Composition: 100% Chardonnay
Acidity: 7.01 g/L – 3.28 pH
Alcohol: 14.2%
Harvest: Various
Club Release: February 2020
Drink Now through 2027
Past Vintage Wine Scores
“Bright, toasty nose; silky and elegant; fresh, smooth and classic; balanced, long and refined.”
Anthony Dias Blue
May 2019
“The 2016 Chardonnay Sta. Rita Hills gives up savory scents of toasted almonds, dried hay, apple pie, jasmine and peachy hints plus a vein of crushed stone. The medium-bodied palate is silky and concentrated with lively acidity and a long, energetic, mineral-driven finish. 80 cases were made.”
Erin Brooks
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
September 2019
“A stellar wine, this appellation blend rivals some of the Los Gatos-based winery’s single vineyard expressions. Exotic dried apples, vanilla cream and popcorn pop on the nose, while there palate’s extreme acidity and explosiveness freshness demands immediate enjoyment. Butter-seared apples, grapefruit pith and a touch of flint round out the flavors.”
Wine Enthusiast
“This appellation blend provides a great representation of the region, with lavish and rich aromas of vanilla bean, clove, dried blueberry paste and zesty chaparral herbs. A fine line of wet gravel and cement minerality centers the palate, with lilac, lavender, clay and turned-earth components alongside richer black-cherry fruit. ”
Matt Kettmann
Wine Enthusiast
December 2016
“The Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir is rich and perfumy with a creamy mouth feel, good acidity, and plum and dark cherry flavors. It is nicely balanced with good acidity and a crisp finish.”
International Wine Review
Sta. Rita Hills
The Santa Rita Hills appellation is one the unique places where the valleys run east-west opening up toward the Pacific Ocean near Lompoc in Santa Barbara County. The valley is nestled between the Purisima Hills and the Santa Rosa Hills with the Santa Ynez river running through it. Fog and cool, ocean breezes coupled with wind and soils that limit vine vigor add to intense flavor in cool climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Testarossa has been making wine from the Santa Rita Hills since 2004.
Past Vintages
Wine Production Data
Tasting Notes
“Pale straw hue. Concentrated scents of passionfruit, mango, coconut, pineapple are met with notes of lemon custard, grapefruit, and vanilla bean. These lively characters sail into the mouthfeel, which has some tension, further accentuated by the bright and zingy acidity. While young and fresh on the finish, this vibrant Chardonnay still has many years to age gracefully. Enjoy now through 2025.”
~ Bill Brosseau, Director of Winemaking
Production Data
Growers: Various
Winemaker: Bill Brosseau
Appellation: Sta. Rita Hills
Barrel Aging: 14 months
Cooperage: 100% French Oak, 10% new
Production: 1,000 cases
Composition: 100% Chardonnay
Acidity: 5.92 g/L – 3.44 pH
Alcohol: 14.3%
Harvest: Various
Club Release: February 2019
Drink Now through 2025
Tasting Notes
“Deep red color. Nice aromas of cherry, cranberry, orange zest along with some vanilla bean and marmalade jam. These intriguing and pleasing aromas continue in the palate. This wine has bright, lively acidity and modest, precise tannins. These fine grain tannins and youthful profile finish intricately on this hedonistic Pinot Noir. Enjoy now through 2026”
~ Bill Brosseau, Director of Winemaking
Production Data
Growers: Various
Winemaker: Bill Brosseau
Appellation: Sta. Rita Hills
Barrel Aging: 13 months
Cooperage: 100% French Oak, 70%new
Production: 139 cases
Composition: 100% Chardonnay
Acidity: 5.66 g/L – 3.41 pH
Alcohol: 14.1%
Harvest: September 27, 2016
Club Release: February 7, 2018
Consume Now through 2026
Tasting Notes
“Medium Straw hue. Tempting scents of butterscotch, passionfruit, cloves, peach, and apricot grab your attention first. Then followed by subtle nuances of banana, kiwi, vanilla bean, ripe grapefruit, and ripe apple. Once landing on the palate, flavors concentrate towards ripe grapefruit, vanilla bean, banana, ripe apple, and white peach. This Chardonnay is one of our more brisk white wines we produce, also exhibiting some firmness and a bit of youthful tension. As it unravels, the finish becomes crisp, mouth-watering, and an ending splash of crème brulee. Enjoy now through 2023.”
~ Bill Brosseau, Director of Winemaking
Production Data
Growers: Various
Winemaker: Bill Brosseau
Appellation: Santa Rita Hills
Barrel Aging: 10.5 months
Cooperage: 100% French Oak, 39 % new
Production:
Composition: 100% Chardonnay
Acidity: 6.11 g/L – 3.53 pH
Alcohol:
Harvest: Various
Consume Now through 2023
Tasting Notes
“Medium yellow hue. Wonderful scents of brioche, mango grapefruit, lemon custard and violets. Upon taste, the aroma profile segues nicely, with mango being the focal point in the palate. Bright acidity keeps the wine vibrant and refreshing, while focusing the wine into a trim, mineral-laden finish. Intricate and subtle are the lasting impressions of this fine offering. Enjoy now through 2023.”
~ Bill Brosseau, Director of Winemaking
Production Data
Growers: Various
Winemaker: Bill Brosseau
Appellation: Santa Rita Hills
Barrel Aging: 11 months
Cooperage: 100% French Oak, 29 % new
Production: 844 cases
Composition: 100% Chardonnay
Acidity: 6.2 g/L – 3.57 pH
Alcohol: 14.4%
Harvest: Various
Consume Now through 2023