2022 Rincon Vineyard Pinot Noir
Arroyo Grande Valley AVA
Tasting Notes
“Deep red hue. Aromas of cherry cola, loganberry, boysenberry, and sage. With some air, interesting notes of smoked bacon, papaya, and anise form a very complex aromatic experience. Thereafter, flavors concentrate towards cherry, citrus, and spice and are framed by plush tannins and bright acidity. While the wine finishes refreshing and youthful, it as well, offers a precociousness to it that says it should age well for many years to come. Enjoy now through 2032.”
~Bill Brosseau, Director of Winemaking
January 2024
“The Rincon Vineyard Pinot Noir opens with aromas of dark cherry and a hint of earthiness. It’s mouth filling with excellent depth of concentrated dark red fruit and savory herbs. Finishes long and focused. Made from 37 year old vines (Clones 2A and 667) grown in calcareous clay at 400′ with a southwest orientation. Aged 12 months in 57% new French oak. pH 3.56, 14.1% alc. ” Don Winkler, International Wine Review, June 2024
“Notes of ripe raspberries and dark cherries with spicy and chocolatey notes. Medium- to full-bodied, sleek and silky, with layers of delicious fruit and a smooth, seductive aftertaste. Drink or hold. ” JamesSuckling.com, April 2024
Production Data
Growers: Talley Family
Winemaker: Bill Brosseau
Appellation: Arroyo Grande Valley AVA
Elevation/Exposure: 400 feet; West, Southwest
Soil: Shallow soil composed of local and calcareous clay
Vineyard Age: 37 years
Viticulture Practice: Sustainable (SIP Certified)
Vinification: Destemmed, fermented in Stainless steel
Cooperage & Ageing: 12 months in French oak, 57% new
Production: 14 barrels
Composition: 100% Pinot Noir (2A Clone & 667 Clone)
Acidity: 3.56 pH, 6.16 TA (g/L)
Alcohol: 14.1%
Harvest: September 13, 2022, hand harvested
Club Release: January 2024
Release Price: $79
Drink Now through 2032
Past Vintage Wine Scores
“Interesting aromas of sliced strawberry, smoke, and peach follow through to a full body with medium velvety tannins and a fresh finish. Shows excellent structure. Drink after 2025.”
JamesSuckling.com
June 2023
“A lovely wine with a perfumed nose of ripe red cherry. Mouth filling with notable purity and excellent intensity of flavor. Persistent finish of rich dark cherry extract. Hand harvested from 36-year-old vines (2A clone) fermented in stainless steel, about 1/3 whole clusters, and matured 16 months in 60% new French oak. pH 3.49, 14.1% alc.”
Don Winkler
International Wine Review
August 2023
“Mace, clove and redfruit aromas make for a spicy, lively nose on this single-vineyard bottling. Pillowy tannins frame the sip, where more clove-like spices enliven the rich red-fruit flavors.”
Matt Kettmann
Wine Enthusiast
November 2023
Cellar Selection
“This well-crafted, elegant and focused wine starts with aromas of black raspberry, light mocha and a touch of thyme. An expertly wound core of red fruit is kissed lightly by wood on the palate, and the fruit slowly unfurls amidst crumpled red and purple flowers. Drink now–2040.”
Matt Kettmann
Wine Enthusiast
December 2022 Issue
“Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. This wine captures your attention from the get-go. Beguiling aromas of blackberry, ripest strawberry, earthy flora and pumpkin spice. Mid-weight plus in structural power, with fruit that really pops on entry and persists in generosity through a very long and quenching finish. Excellent balance and soft in the mouth with an array of vivid purple and black fruit and spice flavors supported by ingratiating tannins. Sinfully delicious even when tasted the following day from a previously opened bottle.”
Rusty Gaffney
The PinotFile
October 2021
“A beautifully crafted, elegant and nuanced wine revealing high toned fruit along with rose petal floral and spice notes on the nose. Gorgeous silky mouth feel and excellent balance with savory notes on the palate and finishing long with good grip.”
Don Winkler
International Wine Review
December 2021
“Hints of herb and toast aromas surround the black-raspberry-jam freshness on the nose of this bottling. There’s a warm streak of oak across the sip, giving depth to the blackcherry, cola and French toast flavors.”
Matt Kettmann
Wine Enthusiast
February 2022
“Deep ruby color, red cherry nose, smooth, elegant and tangy; a lovely expression of this famed vineyard, graceful and balanced, long and pure.”
Anthony Dias Blue
September 2021
“Lastly, the 2018 Pinot Noir Rincon Vineyard from the Arroyo Grande Valley was all destemmed and spent 18 months in 67% new French oak. Slightly dark-toned fruits as well as Christmas spice, flowery incense, and subtle oak notes emerge from the glass. It’s medium to full-bodied, with terrific balance, and has the depth to benefit from another year or two of bottle age.” 92+ points.
Jeb Dunnuck
August 2020
“Brilliant red. Scents of ripe red berries, cherry cola and vanilla show excellent delineation and pick up vibrant floral and spice nuances as the wine opens up. Sweet and incisive in the mouth, offering juicy cherry, raspberry, rose pastille and smoky mineral flavors that flesh out steadily on the back half. The floral note recurs strongly on the clinging finish, which features harmonious tannins and a late, exotic touch of blood orange.”
Josh Raynolds
Antonio Galloni’s Vinous
November 2019
“Fresh, juicy and crisp with lively cherry fruit and a long finish;”
Anthony Dias Blue
July 2019
“Deep ruby color; soft cherry nose; lush and deep, this famed vineyard scores again; smooth texture with fresh cherry fruit and profound depth, juicy and beautifully balanced; long and stylish.”
Anthony Dias Blue
August 2018
“Deep red. Ripe red fruit, vanilla and potpourri on the expressive, mineral-accented nose. Offers juicy, oak-tinged cherry, raspberry and rose pastille flavors that show excellent depth and focus, with a sweet cola nuance emerging with aeration. Closes smooth and quite long, with impressive power, smooth tannins and strong tenacity. “
Josh Raynolds
Antonio Galloni Vinous
November 2017
“The 2014 Pinot Noir Rincon Vineyard comes from the Arroyo Grande Valley and limestone and clay soils. Like all the Pinots here, it was destemmed and aged just under a year in 60% new French oak. Balanced, lengthy, textured and medium-bodied, it has plenty of classic Pinot Noir notes of ripe cherries, black raspberries, spice and dried earth. I like it today, but it should keep nicely for at least 4-5 years.”
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“From an appellation that thrived in this vintage comes a wine with aromas of cinnamon, nutmeg and licorice shavings atop fresh hibiscus and pomegranate flavors. There’s bountiful energy on the palate, with flavors of dried-cherry and a densely packed array of chopped dill, roasted fennel and dried mint.”
Wine Enthusiast
“One of the more elegant releases in the lineup, the 2012 Pinot Noir Rincon Vineyard has loads of crushed flowers, rose petal and sweet berry fruit in its medium-bodied, silky and lightly textured profile. Completely destemmed and aged 17.5 months in 38% new French oak, enjoy this beauty over the coming 2-4 years.”
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
The Rincon Vineyard
Owned by the Talley Family, who have farmed Southern San Luis Obispo County for three generations, the Rincon Vineyard dates back to 1982. Planted just 7 miles Northeast of the Pacific Ocean, the vineyard has soils that are reminiscent of Burgundy, in particularly the Côte de Nuits with its steep terrain. Working closely with the Talley Family, Testarossa owners, Rob and Diana Jensen, and Director of Winemaking Bill Brosseau, have created very exceptional Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with classic old world flavors, great concentration and complexity.