Named for the mountain where the University of Assi located, which founder Rob Jensen attended, the Subasio is Testarossa’s flagship Syrah. Although the tasting notes on the website classified this as a blend of new and old world style, I found it to be mostly new world. I’m not saying that is bad, I knew what I was getting into when I bought it after a tasting at the winery, I just thought that the website description was a bit misleading.
Wine Facts
Vineyard Appellations – Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Russian River Valley
Oak program – 15 months
Winemaking – extended cold soak, gravity flow, both punch down and pump over
Grapes – 100% Syrah
Alcohol – 14.4%
My Tasting Notes
Nose – black cherry, black currant, cedar
Taste – toasted oak, blackberry and black cherry
Mouthfeel – full body, good acidity, and leathery full tannins
Finish – long and fruity
This was a very nice fruit forward, big Syrah. Although it was quite good, at $30 there are a lot of other California Syrahs that offer the same flavor profile for lower price points. Although the alcohol level was high, it did not seem out of balance and the wine had a great mouthfeel with full tannins and good acid on the back end.
I have some Testarossa Pinot Noirs in the cellar from our visit as well and I can’t wait to try those, as they are their specialty.
Cheers!
Anything Wine 
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