2021 Graham Family Vineyard Pinot Noir
Russian River Valley AVA
Tasting Notes
“Medium red hue. Enchanting scents of apple, cloves, cinnamon, and bing cherry, followed by blackberry, raspberry jam and vanilla bean. Upon taste, layers of cherry, raspberry, and vanilla build concentration into the palate. Lush tannins and fresh acidity segue into a delicate and intricate finish. Enjoy now through 2031.”
~Bill Brosseau, Director of Winemaking
January 2023
“Mix of red and wild berries here with hints of blood orange, rosemary blossom and pomegranate. Medium- to full-bodied with creamy tannins and bright acidity. Juicy and vivid with a polished, lengthy finish. Drink or hold.”
JamesSuckling.com
May 2023
Production Data
Growers: Howard and Linda Graham
Winemaker: Bill Brosseau
Appellation: Russian River Valley AVA
Elevation/Exposure: 150 feet; South
Soil: Goldridge sandy loam
Vineyard Age: 20 years
Vinification: Destemmed, fermented in stainless steel
Cooperage & Ageing: 14 months in 100% French Oak, 71% new
Production: 7 barrels
Composition: 100% Pinot Noir (666, 777, 828, & Calera clones)
Acidity: 3.42 pH, 6.38 TA (g/L)
Alcohol: 14.2%
Harvest: September 20, 2021, hand harvested
Club Release: January 2023
Release Price: $76
Drink Now through 2031
Past Vintages Wine Scores
“Bright, smooth and juicy, with fresh cherry and raspberry fruit, notes of oak, cola, and spice, long and balanced.”
Anthony Dias Blue
January 2022
“Juicy, ripe cherry fruit is front and center right from the start here and is joined by a nicely proportioned dollop of sweet oak along with subtle touches of dried flowers that impart an attractive bit of complexity. Moderately full-bodied and already showing the slightly velvety feel that is unique to well-made Pinot Noir, it is generously filled and very easy to taste for a wine of its age, and its deep, wonderfully rich flavors last and last. It is not about to fade any time soon and is sure to evolve handsomely for a half-dozen years, but it is so appealing right now that we would find it hard to argue with those who opt to pour it relatively soon.”
Connoisseurs’ Guide to California Wine
June 2022
“Silky and elegant with rich, complex fruit, oak and spice flavors; Burgundian, graceful and long.”
Anthony Dias Blue
September 2020
“Deep red. Expansive, spice- and smoke-accented cherry and raspberry scents, along with hints of cola and candied flowers. Juicy raspberry and cherry pie flavors pick up hints of mocha and spicy white pepper as the wine opens up. Shows very good energy and spicy cut on a long, smooth, subtly tannic finish that leaves red fruit preserve and coffee notes behind. 54% new French oak.”
Josh Raynolds
Antonio Galloni’s Vinous
November 2019
“Good medium ruby color; lush texture, rich with elegant flavors of cherry and raspberry, fresh and perfectly balanced with subtle juiciness and style; elegance is the key characteristic of this lovely wine; long and refined.”
Anthony Dias Blue
August 2018
“FThe 2015 Pinot Noir Graham Family Vineyard is a delicious wine. It is medium ruby in color and offers aromas of fresh plum and pomegranate. It is beautifully balanced on the palate and offers concentrated flavors with silky tannins, a long finish and considerable refinement and elegance over all.”
International Wine Review
October 2017
“From the Russian River Valley, the 2014 Pinot Noir Graham Family Vineyard was completely destemmed and spent 12 months in 53% new French oak. Spice, dried flowers, sweet raspberry and incense all emerge from this plump, layered, beautifully textured and seamless beauty. Possessing no hard edges and a great finish, it’s a joy to drink already, yet should last for 5-6 years.”
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“One of only two North Coast Pinots in the Testarossa portfolio, and a splendid expression of the very pure, ripe cherry fruit that marks the best of its appellation, the Graham Family bottling is an exceptionally well-focused wine that is bursting with brightness and life. It hints here and there at minerals, dried brush and toast but is, in the main, still on the tight side. If the majority of its mates will improve with aging, this one forcefully demands it, and it should be laid away for at least another four or five years.”
Connoisseurs’ Guide to California Wine
June 2015
“Medium-deep ruby color; complex, spicy cherry aromas with forest floor notes; deep, stewed cherry flavors with herbs and earthy notes; some oak and tannin; good structure and balance; long finish. Deep, complex Pinot with lots of layered flavors. Needs time in the glass to open up.”
Pinot Report
“This wine, from one of the coolest parts of the Russian River Valley, has hints of the mushroomy earthiness that plagues some 2011 Pinot Noirs. But for whatever reason (good viticulture and careful sorting are likely), that slight unripeness remains only in the background as a complex counter to the tart cranberries, cherries and cola. The wine is marked by dryness and bright acidity. Surely it wants some time in the bottle. Drink after 2017.”
Wine Enthusiast
The Graham Family Vineyard
Graham Family Vineyard is located in the heart of the Russian River Valley appellation and is the only vineyard Testarossa Winery sources Pinot Noir from north of the Winery. Graham Family is located in the sub-appellation of Green Valley in western Sonoma County where the vines enjoy the rich Gold Ridge sandy loam soil with its unique water-holding capacity. The vineyard is just less than 10 miles from the coast and has that long growing season that Pinot Noir loves. Graham Family Vineyard consists of 9 acres of Pinot Noir. Testarossa has been proudly making Graham Family Pinot Noir since 2004.