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Wine Recommendation
Testarossa Vineyards
2006 Pinot Noir, Rosella’s Vineyard(Santa Lucia Highlands)
Testarossa Vineyards in Los Gatos specializes in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from some of California’s top growing areas. This Pinot Noir is from Rosella’s Vineyard in the central part of the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA. The 18-mile-long appellation lies on the western edge of the Salinas Valley, at the foot of the Santa Lucia Mountains. The northern end is only about 16 miles from chilly Monterey Bay, so it’s very cool; temperatures warm some as you go farther south. Rosella’s is owned and farmed meticulously by Gary Franscioni (it’s named for his wife), and the fruit is sold to high-end wineries like Siduri, Morgan, Miner Family and Kosta Browne.
This bottling from Testarossa shows why the grapes are in such demand. It’s ripe and lively, with bright, juicy raspberry and red cherry flavors, note of vanilla and spice, a firm core of acidity and a supple texture. Some Santa Lucia Highlands Pinots can be a little heavy and over-worked, but that’s not the case here. This is pure Pinot.
Reviewed March 27, 2008 by Laurie Daniel.
Other reviewed wines from Testarossa Vineyards
 2005 Pinot Noir, Rosella’s Vineyard (Santa Lucia Highlands)Laurie Daniel 3/28/2007 |
The Wine
Winery: Testarossa Vineyards |
The Reviewer
Laurie Daniel
Laurie Daniel, wine columnist for the San Jose Mercury News, has been reviewing wine for more than 10 years. She doesn’t use numbers, preferring to describe her recommended wines and let consumers decide for themselves. Laurie believes that bigger isn’t necessarily better; she’s partial to wines of balance, finesse and character. Her particular interests are Pinot Noir (versions that really taste like Pinot, that is) and aromatic whites like Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Gewürztraminer. |