In the 1980’s Rob and Diana Jensen met while they were electrical engineering students at Santa Clara University. Afterwards, Rob studied grape growing and winemaking at the University of California, Davis. Testarossa Vineyards was founded in 1993 in the Jensen’s Silicon Valley garage. Four years later, the winery was established in the Novitiate Winery, originally built by the Jesuit priests in 1888 within the town of Los Gatos, California. Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine honored Testarossa as Winery of the Year in 2020. Bill Brosseau has been the director of winemaking since 2000. Bill crafts world-class, single vineyard Pinot Noir and single appellation Chardonnays from vineyards throughout California.

This magenta-colored wine has a bouquet layered with complex aromatics of forest floor, grilled meat and spiced plums. Bright red berry fruits dominated the expansive core with raspberry coulis, red currants and cranberry interspersed with a dusting of cinnamon stick and star anise. There is beautiful precision in the mid-palate with fine chalky minerality and juicy acidity that carry through to a youthful ending.

By W Peter Hoyne