2021 Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir
Sta. Rita Hills AVA
Tasting Notes
“Very dark red color. Brilliant aromas of boysenberry jam, vanilla bean, anise, dried cherry, raspberry, and blueberry. Once on the palate, notes of cherry and raspberry jam focus one’s attention. Juicy, undulating tannins, and modest acidity make for a pleasurable ride in the mouth. This Pinot Noir finishes fresh, vibrant, and with some slight tension. Enjoy now through 2030.”
~Bill Brosseau, Director of Winemaking
January 2023
“Perfumed, almost floral, nose of pomegranate and black raspberries. Excellent intensity and purity of fruit with bright, lively acidity; firmly structured and focused with well-integrated oak and a dry finish. Like the Santa Lucia Highlands blend, this wine is youthful and will benefit from more time in bottle. Should last a long time. Matured 11 months in 66% new French oak.” Don Winkler, International Wine Review, February 2023
“Delicious, offering vivid mulberry and plum notes that glide through, with alluring red tea and anise accents. Sleek finish. Drink now through 2027. 300 cases made.” James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, March 2023
Production Data
Growers: Various
Winemaker: Bill Brosseau
Appellation: Santa Rita Hills AVA
Viticulture Practice: Sourced from Certified Sustainable Vineyards
Vinification: Destemmed, fermented in Stainless steel
Cooperage & Ageing: 11 months in 100% French Oak, 66% new
Production: 13 Barrels
Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Acidity: 3.19 pH, 7.92 TA (g/L)
Alcohol: 14.1%
Harvest: October 2 – 6, 2021, hand harvested
Club Release: February 2023
Release Price: $57
Drink Now through 2030
Past Vintage Wine Scores
“Deep ruby color, floral nose, tangy, juicy and bright, loaded with flavor.”
Anthony Dias Blue
March 2022
“Succulent and focused, with a racy and juicy edge that lets dark raspberry and black cherry notes stretch out nicely over briar, pomegranate seed and savory details. Nice lingering finish. Drink now through 2026. 312 cases made.”
James Molesworth
Wine Spectator
June 2022
Editors’ Choice
“This appellation blend is a fresh and juicy display, offering ripe and pleasant aromas of hibiscus and baking spice. It’s lively on the palate with a zippy acidity that frames the raspberry, pomegranate and rose petal flavors.”
Matt Kettmann
Wine Enthusiast
“Medium ruby color, raspberry nose, smooth, lush cherry, raspberry and notes of earth and toast, generous and long.”
Anthony Dias Blue
February 2021
“Opening with deep, juicy fruit aromas complemented by an attractive hint of spearmint like spice. Impressive, keenly concentrated palate with significant flavor authority, vibrant and fresh. ”
Don Winkler
International Wine Review
December 2021
“Moderate garnet color in the glass. Very alluring nose featuring scents of black cherry, black raspberry, baking spices and wine cave. Fresh and juicy with an arrow of acidity complimenting the mid-weight core of cherry, raspberry and exotic spice flavors. Easygoing tannins and quite lengthy on the finish. An impressive expression of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA.”
Rusty Gaffney
The PinotFile
June2021
“Aromas of red cherry and hibiscus are lightly seasoned with salt, pepper and paprika on the nose of this appellation blend. Zesty cranberry and raspberry flavors pop on the palate, which offers a light herbal tinge and a flash of eucalyptus oil.”
Matt Kettmann
Wine Enthusiast
“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
“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.”
KM
Wine Spectator
August 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 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 Enthusiast
“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.