A little gritty in texture, and the rawness is compounded by black pepper tartness. Yet there’s a huge, succulent core of black cherry fruit, and the wine is perfectly dry and acidic. An interesting Pinot, one to stash in the cellar and see what happens. ——S.H.(5/1/2011)—— 88

Vigorous and tannic, this young Pinot is hard right now. It also seems a little unbalanced, with some raisins and mint bracketing the cherries. Could just be going through an awkward youth. Try in 2011.——S.H.(5/1/2010)—— 87

Starts off smelling vegetal, although with breathing the cherries come through. In the mouth, turns simple in fruit, with a silky texture. Disappointing.——S.H.(5/1/2009)—— 84

RRV doesn’t get much fruitier than this. It explodes with black and red cherry, red currant, cola, sweet date, smoky vanilla and dusty Asian spice flavors. Despite all that power, the wine is silky and elegant. Delicious now, and should hold and improve for a number of years.——S.H.(5/1/2008)—— 93

I’ve never tasted a Testarossa Pinot from this vineyard, and in fact this is only the second Russian River Pinot I’ve had from the winery, which favors Central and South Coast vineyards. Made from very young vines, the wine shows great promise. It’s rich in primary fruit cherries, raspberries and spicy cola, with a Dijon-clone directness, and enormously balanced in acids and tannins. This is certainly a wine to follow. ——S.H.(6/1/2007)—— 92