A recent weekend took us touring the winemaking area south of San Francisco, namely the Los Gatos region, in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains (where some fine Pinot Noirs are made). While we found some enjoyable wines in a couple of stops (during an uncommonly busy period known as “Passport Weekend”), the biggest complaint was a real dearth of wines being poured that were made from nearby vineyards.

Some brief ratings follow.

2009 Testarossa Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay / $32 / B-

2009 Testarossa Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Chardonnay / $39 / B+

2009 Testarossa Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir / $39 / B+

2009 Testarossa Bien Nacido Vineyard Pinot Noir / $56 / B

2008 Testarossa Santa Cruz Mountains Meritage / $50 / B+

2010 Testarossa Novitiate Rose / $17 / B+

2010 Savannah-Chanelle Pinot Noir Rose, Central Coast / $16 / B

2010 Savannah-Chanelle Tondre’s Grapefield Chardonnay Santa Lucia Highlands / $24 / B+

2008 Savannah-Chanelle Pinot Noir Central Coast / $24 / B

2008 Savannah-Chanelle Pinot Noir Russian River Valley / $31 / B-

2007 Savannah-Chanelle Syrah Coast View Monterey County / $24 / C

2007 Savannah-Chanelle Cabernet Franc Estate Santa Cruz Mountain / $40 / C

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