2022 Niclaire Pinot Noir
California AVA
Tasting Notes
“Very dark red hue. Intense aromas of ripe cherry pie, sage, anise, raspberry jam, orange, and boysenberry. Once on the palate, these characteristics crescendo into a lush, velvety mouthfeel. With modest acidity, this blend of the best of the best Pinot Noir barrels offers a supple and persistent finish. Enjoy now through 2036.”
~Bill Brosseau, Director of Winemaking
April 2024
“Saturated ruby. Expressive aromas redolent of dark cherry, pomegranate, lavender and toasty oak. A very silky and densely flavored wine seamlessly integrated with expensive French oak. Hedonistic mouthfeel, delicious layered flavors, and fine-grained tannins, finishing with a lingering sense of purity. Outstanding. A barrel selection from the AVAs that Testarossa sources fruit from. Aged 18 months in 82% new French oak. pH 3.43, 14.3% alc.” Don Winkler, International Wine Review, June 2024
“The 2022 Pinot Noir Niclaire is a California-appellated blend that hails from the Santa Lucia Highlands, Sta. Rita Hills, Arroyo Grande Valley and Chalone AVAs. It’s lush, enveloping, and texturally thrilling, with a velvety blanket of plush fruit. Dark plum, clove, violet and black licorice sizzle through this sexy wine, grounded by rocky minerality and just enough acidity to maintain energy. There’s much beauty and sensuality here, even if the Niclaire speaks more to winemaking than place.” Billy Norris, Antonio Galloni’s Vinous, August 2024
Production Data
Growers: Various
Winemaker: Bill Brosseau
Appellation: California AVA
Viticulture Practice: Sourced from Certified Sustainable and Organic vineyards
Vinification: Destemmed, fermented in stainless steel
Cooperage & Barrel Ageing: 17 months in 100% French oak, 82% new
Production: 22 barrels
Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Acidity: 3.43 pH; 7.22 TA (g/L)
Alcohol: 14.3%
Harvest: August 23 – September 23, 2022, hand harvested
Club Release: June 2024
Release Price: $106
Drink Now through 2036
Past Vintage Wine Scores
“The 2021 Pinot Noir Niclaire is a selection of the best barrels in the cellar. Sleek and polished to the core, the 2021 is quite impressive. Soft, plush contours wrap around succulent black cherry, dried herbs, lavender, menthol, spice and mocha. A kick of blood orange livens up the finish. Naturally, the Niclaire is not a wine of site, but it is undeniably beautiful.”
Antonio Galloni
Vinous
November 2023
“A tight and focused pinot noir with finesse and polish. Clearly the best pinot from this producer and a selection of top wines from its vineyards in various Central Coast appellations. Medium-bodied with an integrity and firmness on the palate. Subtle flavors and a bright and silky-textured finish. Drinkable but better in two or three years.”
JamesSuckling.com
June 2023
“The 2021 Niclaire Pinot Noir is the tete de cuvee barrel selection and 77% comes from Santa Lucia Highlands. Medium ruby-purple in color, it charges out with bold notes of blueberry compote, black cherry preserves, and star anise leading to wafts of camphor, tilled soil, and violets. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers impactful, energetic black berry layers, framed by velvety tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long and fragrant.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown
The Wine Independent
February 2024
“Dark garnet color in the glass. Haunting aromas of black cherry, raspberry, sous bois and new oak. Discreet intensity of flavor in a mid-weight style, offering flavors of dark red cherry, red raspberry, strawberry, and spice. Flawless, with a very sleek mouthfeel and spot-on integration of tannins and acidity. Very well-mannered now and easy to like, but has the balance to rest in the cellar for even more enjoyment in years to come. This is the winemaker’s best effort and it shows.”
Rusty Gaffney
PinotFile
December 2022
“A medium ruby color, fresh fruit nose, satin texture, impressive, rich and juicy, with red cherry and raspberry fruit, layered, with depth, elegant, balanced and long.”
Anthony Dias Blue
July 2022
“ Dark garnet red. A very special Pinot Noir blend, more refined than bold in character and with impeccable balance. A complex bouquet of sweet dark red fruit is followed by a silky, elegant, lush and superbly integrated palate revealing bright red fruit notes overlaying darker fruit. A barrel selection sourced from vineyards in several coastal AVAs (50% from the Sta Rita Hills) and matured 17 months in 65% new French oak.”
International Wine Review
February 2023
“Aromas of rosemary, red cherry and baked strawberry. Medium-to full-bodied with silky, soft tannins. Very nicely balanced and long. Textured. Fresh and black-fruited on the palate with the oak poking out a bit at the finish right now, but it will integrate with time. Well structured. Delicious. Best after 2025.”
James Suckling
May 2022
“Aromas of rosemary, red cherry and baked strawberry. Medium-to full-bodied with silky, soft tannins. Very nicely balanced and long. Textured. Fresh and black-fruited on the palate with the oak poking out a bit at the finish right now, but it will integrate with time. Well structured. Delicious. Best after 2025.”
Allen Meadows
October 2022
“Deep, glistening red. Expressive, mineral-accented cherry, raspberry, vanilla and baking spice qualities on the highly perfumed nose. Silky, sweet and energetic on the palate, offering spice-laced cherry-cola, Chambord and floral pastille flavors and a suave floral nuance. In a powerful yet elegant style, showing impressive energy and smooth, rounded tannins on the strikingly long, floral and spice-driven finish. 81% new French oak.”
Josh Raynolds
Vinous
May 2022
“Deep, glistening red. Expressive, mineral-accented cherry, raspberry, vanilla and baking spice qualities on the highly perfumed nose. Silky, sweet and energetic on the palate, offering spice-laced cherry-cola, Chambord and floral pastille flavors and a suave floral nuance. In a powerful yet elegant style, showing impressive energy and smooth, rounded tannins on the strikingly long, floral and spice-driven finish. 81% new French oak.”
Connoisseurs’ Guide to California Wine
May 2022
“Opening with deep fruit aromas complicated by a woodsy perfume, the Niclaire is supple and juicy with opulent flavors. It’s vibrant and pure with abundant quantities of ripe California fruit with sweet tannins and a mouthwatering finish. A blend of the best barrels from the Testarossa’s outstanding vineyards.”
International Wine Review
December 2021
“Deep ruby color; smooth, juicy cherry with racy acidity and excellent structure; silky and crisp with tart cherry and tangy fruit; long and stylish.”
Anthony Dias Blue
March 2020
“Deep ruby color; smooth, juicy cherry with racy acidity and excellent structure; silky and crisp with tart cherry and tangy fruit; long and stylish.”
Connoisseurs’ Guide to California Wine
June 2020
Top 10 Wines of the Year
Stephen Eliot, Connoisseurs’ Guide to California Wine
“As devoted as Testarossa is to making a comprehensive collection of single-vineyard Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs that emphasize the unique character born of a specific site, when the vintage is right, it also produces a limited “reserve” bottling of each variety drawn from the winery’s best barrels regardless of source. Its topof-the-line Pinot goes by the name of ”Niclaire,” and, as is almost always the case, the latest edition is a complete, impeccably crafted wine that shows an uncanny union of power and grace. Governed by very deep, keenly focused, ripe cherry fruit with a sweet and spicy contribution from beautifully integrated oak, it hits all the right marks from focus and feel to its amazing finishing length, and the only problem it presents is that it is so very tasty now that allowing it the half-decade of age it deserves will not prove to be easy.”
Connoisseurs’ Guide to California Wine
November 2019
“Beautiful garnet color; spicy cherry nose; silky texture, juicy, crisp style with lovely hints of vanilla and new oak; smooth cherry fruit and a tangy, fresh finish.”
Anthony Dias Blue
April 2019
“Bright ruby color; soft plum and berry nose; smooth, lush texture; ripe cherry and berry fruit, meaty and rich with balance and depth; complex and long.”
Anthony Dias Blue
June 2018
“This is a youthful Pinot Noir which is initially reticent on the attack but opens up in the glass. It is a lovely wine sourced from the best barrels of the vintage. It is harmonious and beautifully integrated with a soft elegant mouth feel and good density of flavor and excellent palate presence. Superb!”
International Wine Review
December 2019
“Deep, vivid red. A powerful, expansive bouquet evokes raspberry liqueur, cherry-cola, licorice and baking spices, while a sexy potpourri note builds in the glass. Shows a suave blend of richness and finesse, offering sweet red and blue fruit, rose pastille, vanilla and spicecake flavors that are underscored by a vein of juicy acidity. Unfolds slowly on the subtly tannic finish, which lingers with outstanding, fruit tenacity.”
Josh Raynolds
Antonio Galloni’s Vinous
“This year’s edition of Niclaire, Testarossa’s self-described “best of” Pinot bottling is a wine whose precision, structural integrity and fruity depth lend plenty of credence to the winery’s claims. It teases with succulent cherries enough on the nose to suggest that it is ready for drinking, but what follows on the palate is a very solid, fairly firm, impeccably balanced wine that, while living up to its aromatic promises of purity and depth, is still in its infancy and demanding of age. That it has special places to go is beyond any doubt, and, if another two years seems a minimum wait, we would opt for at least five.”
Connoisseurs’ Guide to California Wine
June 2017
“As its price might suggest, this is not a wine to dismiss because of its simple California appellation, and it is, in fact, Testarossa’s limited special bottling drawn from its finest Pinot Noir barrels. It is infused with a wealth of very rich oak, yet it remains solidly fruity throughout its very considerable length, and, while a big, mouthfilling wine of immense stuffing, it is very well-structured and certain to improve for many years. It is arguably a bit lacking in finesse at this point, but it is not a wine meant to be drunk down in haste and its riveting richness will be met by refinement as time slowly passes. ”
Connoisseurs’ Guide to California Wine
June 2016
“Named after Rob and Diana Jensen’ childen, Nick and Claire, there’s a little under 400 cases of the 2013 Pinot Noir Niclaire and it’s another fresh, lively, medium to full-bodied effort from this estate that delivers incredible quality. Cassis, black raspberry, sappy underbrush and spice-box all flow from this pure, lively and balanced 2013, and it has nicely integrated tannin and good acidity. Drink it anytime over the coming 6-7 years.”
Jeb Dunnuck
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“Made from the best ten barrels in the winery, the 2012 Pinot Noir Niclaire is a gorgeous, rich and layered effort that knocks it out of the park with its cassis and blackberry fruit, vanilla bean and licorice-driven aromas and flavors. Not losing a beat on the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied and concentrated, with ripe tannin and a great texture. Seeing 10.5 months in 63% new French oak, it should evolve nicely for just under a decade.”
Antonio Galloni
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“There were eight barrels of the 2011 Pinot Noir Niclaire produced and, as with the Diana’s release in the white, it was made from the top barrels in a vintage. Coming from Garys’, Doctor’s, Fogstone and Pisoni vineyards, it shows a darker fruit slant with notions of red currants, blackberry, crushed flowers, underbrush and rose petal all soaring from the glass. Medium-bodied, supple and with beautiful purity and elegance, as well as building richness, it’s one of the top Pinot Noirs in the vintage and should have a decade of ultimate longevity. Drink 2014-2021. Founded in 1993 by Rob and Diana Jensen, with the wines made by Bill Brosseau, Testarossa Winery is located just outside of Los Gatos (just south of San Jose) and pulls grapes from a star-studded cast of vineyards throughout the central coast. All of the wines have beautiful purity of fruit and classical, perfectly made profiles. They also remain reasonably priced given the quality.”
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
August 2013
“Awesomely rich in black cherries, plums, licorice, mocha, cola and sweet oak flavors. Made from selected barrels of the winery’s various vineyards around the state, its richness is balanced by brisk acidity and a soft scour of tannins. Drink over the next six years.”
Steve Heimoff
Wine Enthusiast
“Absolutely delicious. Although it’s a bit full bodied and heavy for a Pinot Noir, it’s stunningly good, offering wave after wave of berry, cherry, orange peel, spice and oak flavors, with interesting side notes of mushrooms, cola, cocoa and licorice. The California appellation is because the wine is a best barrel blend from Testarossa’s vineyards up and down the state. Drink now–2015.”
Steve Heimoff
Wine Enthusiast
“Testarossa reserves their most expensive wines to a best-barrels blend that usually bears a statewide appellation, a practice that is rare if not unique among California wineries. The ’07 Niclaire is vast in currants, rhubarbs, cola and cedar, with sizable but finely meshed tannins, and the tart acidity that marks all of the winery’s 2007 Pinot Noirs. It’s drinkable now, but just barely, so decant. But will benefit from up to six years in the cellar.”
Steve Heimoff
Wine Enthusiast
“Of all Testarossa’s 2006 Pinots, this is the most complex, and also the most ageworthy. Offers a flood of cherry, red currant, Dr. Pepper, raspberry, licorice, vanilla cookie and oaky spice flavors that are fantastically intense and interesting. Interestingly, this bottling is one of Testarossa’s highest-alcohol Pinots. Great now and for a good six more years.”
Steve Heimoff
Wine Enthusiast
“A best barrels blend of the winery’s various vineyards, which are numerous throughout California, Niclaire shows a balance and elegance that prove Pinot doesn’t have to come from a single vineyard to be great. The ’05 is a delicious wine, soft and gentle and rich in flavor, yet dry and balanced. It fills the mouth with cherry pie, cassis, cola, Asian spice and smoky oak flavors that last long on the finish. This is a real crowd-pleaser, but it’s not an ager. Drink now.”
Steve Heimoff
Wine Enthusiast
No Content to Review
The Pinot Report
“The California appellation is because the wine is made from three Santa Lucia Highlands vineyards and Bien Nacido. It’s a really good wine. The cool vineyards give it brisk acidity, while the ripe grapes lend deep flavors of cherries and black raspberries. Oak does its spicy, complexing thing. Shows Pinot’s translucent, elegant, silky texture.”
Steve Heimoff
Wine Enthusiast
2022 Niclaire Pinot Noir – Barrel Composition
| Barrel | Vineyard (Clone) | Cooper | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22051 | Brosseau (4) | Billon | Select Extra Tight Grain Light & Long Toast 3-yr air dried |
| 21382 | Fogstone (667) | Seguin Moreau | Icone Blanc Selection Medium Long Toast 3-yr air dried |
| 22293 | Fogstone (667) | François Frères | Very Special Grain Medium Toast 2-yr air dried |
| 22259 | Fogstone (667) | François Frères | Noble Grain Medium Toast 3-yr air dried |
| 22436 | Fogstone (667) | François Frères | Very Special Grain Medium Toast 2-yr air dried |
| 22133 | Fogstone (122) | Remond | Troncais Medium Toast Long 2-yr air dried |
| 21250 | Fogstone (122) | François Frères | Very Special Grain Medium Plus Toast |
| 21251 | Garys’ (Pisoni) | François Frères | Tight Grain Medium Toast 3-yr air dried |
| 22350 | Garys’ (Pisoni) | François Frères | Very Special Grain Medium Toast 3-yr air dried |
| 22269 | La Rinconada (4) | François Frères | Tight Grain Medium Toast 2-yr air dried |
| 22364 | La Rinconada (4) | François Frères | Very Tight Grain Medium + Toast 2-yr air dried |
| 22243 | Pisoni (Pisoni) | François Frères | Tight Grain Medium Toast 3-yr air dried |
| 22206 | Rancho La Viña (115) | Mercurey | Craie Selection Light and Fruity toast 2-yr air dried |
| 22472 | Rincon (2A) | Seguin Moreau | Premium Grain MLO Toast 3-yr air dried |
| 22410 | Rosella’s (667) | Seguin Moreau | Icone Blanc Selection Medium Long Toast 2-yr air dried |
| 22125 | Rosemary’s (667) | Remond | Allier Medium Toast Long 3-yr air dried |
| 22134 | Sanford & Benedict (AS-1) | Remond | Troncais Medium Toast Long 2-yr air dried |
| 20267 | Soberanes (Pisoni) | Billon | Citeaux Medium Toast 3-yr air dried |
| 22148 | Soberanes (Pisoni) | Mercurey | Craie Selection Light and Fruity toast 2-yr air dried |
| 22461 | Soberanes (Pisoni) | Seguin Moreau | Premium Grain Medium Long Toast 3-yr air dried |
| 22433 | Tondré Grapefield (777) | François Frères | Very Tight Grain Medium Toast 3-yr air dried |
| 22082 | Tondré Grapefield (777) | Remond | Allier Medium Toast Long 3-yr air dried |
Tight Grain (TG), Very Special Grain (VSG), Very Tight Grain (VTG), Citeaux Forest (CF), Allier Forest (AF), Vosges Forest (VF), Icone Blanc (IB), Center of France (CoF)
California AVA
Don’t let the California appellation designation fool you, our Jensen Reserve Society wines are made from our top selection barrels that come from the best vineyards for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in California, from the Russian River Valley to the north to the Santa Rita Hills to the south. Each year, Director of Winemaking Bill Brosseau and his team select the top 10-12 barrels from more than a thousand to make this special wine that bares the Jensen Family’s names – the matriarch “Diana’s” and the combination of Nick and Claire for Niclaire. It is our highest achievement in winemaking.