Talbott Vineyards Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Chardonnay 2018 Santa Lucia Highlands

Talbott Vineyards was created in 1982 by Robb Talbott in the Santa Lucia Highlands region of Monterey County, purchasing in 1994 the famous old Sleepy Hollow vineyard, considered one of California’s ‘Grand Crus’ first planted in 1972. The winery was bought by E & J Gallo in 2015 who have invested in a program of replanting the many parcels of this large estate. The vineyards are high lying and benefits from cooling breezes from the Monterey Bay enabling a longer growing season ideal for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Their Chardonnay is made from a wide range of clones from various plots, co-fermented in oak barrels 40% new and aged a further 10 months. Offering an impressive, powerful, buttery nose with balanced oak, the palate is again rich and buttery with caramel notes to the peach and apple fruit, balanced and freshened by good acidity and a long finish.