Dinner to Highlight the Testarossa Pinot Noir
I picked up a bottle of Pinot Noir earlier this year on one of my trips to Testarossa in Los Gatos. While I tend to like most of their Pinot, this particular bottle stood out to me because I knew Thomas Fogarty was also using grapes from the Schultze Family Vineyard. It’s always so interesting to me to compare wines from different vintners using the same grapes, seeing how skill coincides with the raw materials. The 2004 Testarossa Schultze Family Pinot Noir showed strawberry, mushroom, and white pepper on the nose, moving into rich earth, dried cherry, and more strawberry on the palate. Very nice overall and even better with the food.
This particular meal was one I tweaked to fit the wine. Since I had scallops, I needed some flavors in the food with a little more earthiness. Therefore, I made a version of a recipe in my Rachael Ray cookbook– 365: No Repeats. Instead of finishing with chopped bacon and raw scallions, I roasted both whole in the oven, then wrapped them around quickly seared scallops. With a side of truffled polenta, it was just the right fit for the Pinot Noir. It was also one of those meals that made me so happy I had to pat myself on the back.
Farley Walker
2004 Testarossa Schultze Family Pinot Noir




July 25th, 2007 at 7:26 am
Farley, that dinner sounds lovely. My kitchen calls to you! Incidentally, Testarossa is conducting a Grand Old Winery Tour this Saturday that includes a tasting of six wines as well as a cheese and chocolate pairing. I’m going to take in a hike on St. Joseph’s Hill that morning, then wander on in. Love their Pinots!
July 25th, 2007 at 8:45 am
Oh my god, that meal is like an aphrodisiac… or is it just me?? You didn’t eat that alone right? Tell me some handsome guy was with you to share that. Wow, please make that for us when we come over next! *drool* I love Testarossa, and that is my favorite bottle from them.
July 25th, 2007 at 12:58 pm
Thanks, y’all. I really was quite pleased with myself over this one! And of course, the Testarossa just made it that much better.