Testarossa means ‘red-head’ in Italian and was the nickname given to Rob Jensen while he was studying abroad as a university student in Italy. Winemaker Bill Brosseau was raised in his family’s Brosseau’s Vineyard in the Chalone appellation of Monterey County. He received his degree in Viticulture and Enology from the University of California, Davis and began his career at Testarossa right after finishing his degree. He sources his fruit from counties throughout California, including Monterey, Santa Barbara and Sonoma as well as the acclaimed Gary’s and Pisoni vineyards.

The Doctor’s Vineyard is situated between 300-500 feet in elevation on the Santa Lucia Highlands and experiences warmer temperatures with a southeastern exposure. The vineyard is 31 years old and the sub-soils are gravelly loam.

The wine's crimson hue shimmers in the glass and serves as a hint to its underlying vibrant personality. Layers of aromatics unfold with dried flowers and rustic spices. Within the core are elements of wild raspberries, crushed Morello cherries, underbrush, brown spices and ground cloves. As you delve deeper into the wine there is a whiff of chalk supported by fine, linear tannins leading to a lively finish.

By W Peter Hoyne