Talbott Vineyards Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Pinot Noir 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 Pinot Noir is selected from various parcels some with gravel and some with sandy soils, mostly planted with Dijon clones. Fermented in open fermenters and aged for 11 months in French oak 40% new. A nose of macerated plums and cherries followed by a complex and rich, mouth filling, impressive palate of sweet cherries and plums with notes of spice balanced by peppery tannins and freshening acidity.