Project Description
2018 Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir
Santa Rita Hills AVA
Tasting Notes
“Medium red hue. Engaging aromas of cherry, ripe cranberry, cloves, orange, jasmine, and a touch of vanilla give this Pinot Noir blend immediate pleasure. These decadent qualities remain consistent once on the palate and are met with some tension, precision of textures, fine tannins, and modest acidity. This blend is akin to a well-tuned instrument, offering an enjoyable story. Loads of minerality, intricate textures, harmony, and pleasure extend the finish of this beautiful wine. Enjoy now through 2026.”
~Bill Brosseau, Director of Winemaking
2018 Vintage Review
“Moving to the reds, the appellation 2018 Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills was all destemmed and brought up in one-third new French oak. This perfumed, medium-bodied effort has lots of raspberry and floral notes, a clean, balanced, elegant texture, good acidity, and tons of personality. It’s beautifully done, and I’d be happy to drink bottles.”
Jeb Dunnuck
August 2020
Production Data
Growers: Various
Winemaker: Bill Brosseau
Appellation: Santa Rita Hills AVA
Barrel Aging: 11 months
Cooperage: 100% French Oak, 33% new
Production: 1,044 cases
Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Acidity: 6.02 g/L – 3.35 pH
Alcohol: 14.2%
Harvest: Various
Drink Now through 2026
Wine Scores
“Coming from a mix of sites in the Sta. Rita Hills and all destemmed and brought up in 54% new French oak, the 2017 Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills reveals a medium ruby color as well as incredibly charming notes of ripe raspberries, strawberries, spice, and white flowers. Rounded, supple, and elegant on the palate, with bright acidity, this is a beautiful, classy Pinot Noir to enjoy over the coming 5-6 years.”
Jeb Dunnuck
October 2019
“This fresh, fruity style offers lively raspberry and red currant flavors. The pure and extracted finish caresses the palate, with a plush spiciness. Drink now through 2024. 360 cases made.”
Wine Spectator
KM
August 31, 2018
“Delicious cherry and plum are the hallmark of this single appellation wine. It is nicely balanced with good density, high acidity and a crisp finish. – 10/22/2017”
International Wine Review
October 22, 2017
“Editor’s Choice – 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. ”
Wine Spectator
Review
“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
Santa 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
“Deep red color. Engaging aromas of cherry, orange blossoms, papaya, and maple. With some time in glass, notes of ripe cranberry, mango, and roasted strawberry unite. Once introduced to the palate, these notes remain and are complimented by refreshing citrus notes. With polished tannins and vibrant acidity, this Pinot Noir is expected to please the palate for some years to come. The finish is nice as well with its supple and smooth touch. Enjoy now through 2025.”
~ Bill Brosseau, Director of Winemaking
Production Data
Growers: Various
Winemaker: Bill Brosseau
Appellation: Santa Rita Hills AVA
Barrel Aging: 15 months
Cooperage: 100% French Oak, 54 % new
Production: 231 cases
Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Acidity: 6.84 g/L – 3.28 pH
Alcohol: 14.4%
Harvest: Various
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: Santa Rita Hills AVA
Barrel Aging: 17 months
Cooperage: 100% French Oak, 60 % new
Production: 360 cases
Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Acidity: 6.78 g/L – 3.37 pH
Alcohol: 14.4%
Harvest: September 2016
Drink Now through 2026
Tasting Notes
“Brick red hue. Enchanting notes of anise, cranberry, ripe strawberries, cherry pie, boysenberry, and cloves unite in this multi-vineyard blend. The flavor profile is concentrated with notes of cherry, boysenberry, and cranberry. While the aromas and flavors have the focus of a single vineyard, the texture opens up with bright acidity and tannins that are dense, lush, and expansive. This wine finishes with minerality and smooth, suppleness. Enjoy now through 2022.”
~ Bill Brosseau, Director of Winemaking
Production Data
Growers: Various
Winemaker: Bill Brosseau
Appellation: Santa Rita Hills AVA
Barrel Aging: 10.5 months
Cooperage: 100% French Oak, 39% new
Production: 20 barrels
Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Acidity: 6.11 g/L – 3.53 pH
Alcohol: 14.6%
Harvest: August-September 2015
Club Release: February 2017
Drink Now through 2022
Tasting Notes
“Deep red color. Complex aromas of raspberry, cloves, cranberry, pomegranate, anise, orange blossom and vanilla bean. While the flavors stay true to the aroma profile, notes of blackberry and boysenberry ooze out as well upon aeration. Fine grain tannins and modest acidity give a wonderful balance to the oak spice and complex, mineral driven finish. Enjoy now through 2022.”
~ Bill Brosseau, Director of Winemaking
Production Data
Growers: Various
Winemaker: Bill Brosseau
Appellation: Santa Rita Hills AVA
Barrel Aging: 11 months
Cooperage: 100% French Oak, 29% new
Production: 844 cases
Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Acidity: 6.11 g/L – 3.53 pH
Alcohol: 14.4%
Harvest: September 2014
Club Release: January 2017
Drink Now through 2022
Tasting Notes
“Dark red color. This blend of Pinot Noir from three vineyards in the Santa Rita Hills presents scents of boysenberry, currant, blueberry, ripe fig, and graphite. The flavors segue evenly from the aroma profile showing a nice balance of fruit and minerality. Fine grain tannins along with a dense mouthfeel and good length make for a hedonistic experience. Enjoy now through 2023.”
~ Bill Brosseau, Director of Winemaking
Production Data
Growers: Various
Winemaker: Bill Brosseau
Appellation: Santa Rita Hills AVA
Barrel Aging: 10 months
Cooperage: 100% French Oak, 41% new
Production: 6,300 cases
Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Acidity: 3.5 pH
Alcohol: 14.3%
Harvest: September 2013
Club Release: January 2015
Drink Now through 2023