May 5, 2013
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Testarossa Vineyards
| Owner(s) | Diana Jensen, Rob Jensen |
| Web site | www.testarossa.com |
| Link to this site |
Rob and Diana Jensen founded Testarossa Vineyards in 1993. Today, this is among the largest wineries in the Santa Cruz Mountains, producing 16,000 cases of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah. the name, Testarossa, means redhead in Italian, coming from the days red-headed Rob studied in Italy. The winery has a long tradition of distinguished wines sourced from vineyards throughout California. The winery is in downtown Los Gatos at the historic Novitiate Winery built in 1888. The current winemaker is Bill Brosseau.
The lineup of single-vineyard Pinot Noirs reads like a who's-who of California Pinot Noir vineyards: Garys', Rosella's, Bien Nacido, Graham Family, La Cruz, Pisoni, Sanford & Benedict, and Sleepy Hollow. the excellent wines are available on the website. Total production is about 14,000 cases annually. A second, value-priced label, Dahlia, is sold exclusively to alcoholic beverage retailer BevMo!
Articles About Testarossa Vineyards
Garys’ Vineyard 2004 Horizontal Tasting (7.21 7/9/2009)
On a High at Pinot Paradise Weekend (6.21 4/1/2007)
On the Pinot Trail: WOPN 2010 (8.13 4/8/2010)
Pinot Paradise (7.16 4/18/2009)
Rosella's, Garys & Pisoni Comparative Tasting (9.6 4/18/2012)
Sips of California Pinot Noir (9.18 1/19/2013)
Reviewed Wines
2011 Testarossa Dos Rubios Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay
14.1% alc., 282 cases, $39. Clones 76 and 17.
·
Moderately deep gold color with
a tinge of orange and clear in the glass. Very shy initially, but opens gradually
and becomes quite enticing later in the day from an opened bottle. Aromas of
apple, citrus, grilled peach and vanilla. Soft and smooth, with flavors of white
peaches, citrus, spice and a hint of nutty, toasty oak. Perfectly fine on its own,
but has the balance, acidity and restrained oak to compliment many foods. Better later in the day from an opened bottle.
Very good.
Reviewed January 19, 2013
ARTICLE »
2008 Testarossa Palazzio Central Coast Pinot Noir
14.4% alc..
·
Nicely perfumed with lovely rose petal
aromas, but he flavors don’t deliver and are tainted by a strong herbal oak edge to the fruit. Soft tannins and a
dry finish. Decent.
Reviewed April 8, 2010
ARTICLE »
2004 Testerossa Garys’ Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.8%
alc., $45.
·
Delicate ruby color. A feminine style with fruit that has faded leaving
alcohol to peak out on the nose and finish. Some notes of baking spices and
sandalwood add interest.
Reviewed July 9, 2009
ARTICLE »
2004 Testarossa Vineyards Schultze Family Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., 196 cases, $54.
·
I think this was the
most expensive wine at Pinot Cruz, but the producers need
make no apologies. A very pleasant drink with red fruit flavors,
a bit of Xmas spice, and a long, stylish finish. The
Schultze vineyard provides the breeding and deft winemaking
completes the picture.
Reviewed April 1, 2007
ARTICLE »
2011 Testarossa Dos Rubios Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay
14.1% alc., 282 cases, $39. Clones 76 and 17. · Moderately deep gold color with a tinge of orange and clear in the glass. Very shy initially, but opens gradually and becomes quite enticing later in the day from an opened bottle. Aromas of apple, citrus, grilled peach and vanilla. Soft and smooth, with flavors of white peaches, citrus, spice and a hint of nutty, toasty oak. Perfectly fine on its own, but has the balance, acidity and restrained oak to compliment many foods. Better later in the day from an opened bottle. Very good. Reviewed January 19, 2013 ARTICLE »
2008 Testarossa Palazzio Central Coast Pinot Noir
14.4% alc.. · Nicely perfumed with lovely rose petal aromas, but he flavors don’t deliver and are tainted by a strong herbal oak edge to the fruit. Soft tannins and a dry finish. Decent. Reviewed April 8, 2010 ARTICLE »
2004 Testerossa Garys’ Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.8% alc., $45. · Delicate ruby color. A feminine style with fruit that has faded leaving alcohol to peak out on the nose and finish. Some notes of baking spices and sandalwood add interest. Reviewed July 9, 2009 ARTICLE »
2004 Testarossa Vineyards Schultze Family Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., 196 cases, $54. · I think this was the most expensive wine at Pinot Cruz, but the producers need make no apologies. A very pleasant drink with red fruit flavors, a bit of Xmas spice, and a long, stylish finish. The Schultze vineyard provides the breeding and deft winemaking completes the picture. Reviewed April 1, 2007 ARTICLE »
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