Winery
of the Week:
Testa Vineyards - Mendocino County
By FBWorld Team
Testa
Vineyards has a long history, dating back to 1912 when
the ranch was established by Gaetano and Maria Testa. Gaetano
bought the land in the town of Calpella because it reminded
him his home in Italy. The whole Testa family worked side by
side to clear the land and then plant their first vines.
Today's
generation of the family carries on the tradition, growing the
varieties Carignane, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, Barbera, Grenache
and Charbono on the Testa Ranch.
Here's
what our tasting panel thought about a handful of their current
offerings:
Click
on labels to enlarge |
Testa
2011 White (Blend)
Winery:
Testa Vineyards
Grape(s): 45% Sauvignon Blanc, 45% Chenin
Blanc, 7% Viogner, & 3% Muscat
Region: Mendocino County
Year: 2011
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 15-20
Review:
Fragrances of honeydew, pear, and citrus rise up from
a glass. Tangerine, melon, and pear flavors mingle with
inklings of honey on the palate. A rich white with a hint
of sweetness that makes it very approachable, it's sure
to please a crowd. 220 cases were made.
Rating: 89 |
|
Testa
2011 Charbono
Winery:
Testa Vineyards
Grape(s): 90% Charbono & 10% Petite
Sirah
Region: Mendocino County
Year: 2011
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 35-40
Review:
Aromas of cherries, currants, and plums mingle with hints
of earth on the nose. Flavors of cherry, cassis, and red
plum unfold into notes of leather, minerals, and herbs
on the palate. Smooth, bright and fruit-driven, it's a
pleasant wine to sip on its own or enjoy with a lighter
pasta. 150 cases produced.
Rating: 88 |
|
Testa
2010 "Black Tre" Red Blend
Winery:
Testa Vineyards
Grape(s): 39% '10 Cabernet Sauvignon,
32% '10 Carignane, 24% '10 Petite Sirah, 5% 09 Black"Due"
Region: Mendocino County
Year: 2010
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 15-30
Review:
Aromatics of black cherries, bramble fruit, and plums
are accented by hints of forest floor and leather on the
nose. The palate delivers flavors of cherry, blackberry,
and currants along with notes of dusty earth. Smooth and
supple with plush tannins, fans of rich red blends should
try this bottle. 370 cases were made.
Rating: 88 |
|
Testa
2010 Carignane
Winery:
Testa Vineyards
Grape(s): 95% Carignane & 5% Petite
Sirah
Region: Mendocino County
Year: 2010
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 25-30
Review:
A bouquet of bing cherries, raspberries, red currants,
and earth greets the senses. A sip reveals flavors of
plum, blackberry, and cherry that interweave with suggestion
of minerals. A bright, lively red with apple fruit, enjoy
a bottle with your favorite lamb dish. 151 cases produced.
Rating: 89 |
By
Jason Barlow
96
— 100 |
Spectacular |
92
— 95 |
Outstanding |
89
— 91 |
Great |
85
— 88 |
Good |
81
— 84 |
Solid |
|
|