Description

ABOUT THE PRODUCER:
Talbott Vineyards crafts estate-grown Chardonnay and Pinot Noir into exquisite coastal wines from the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA. In 1950, Robert Talbott, founder of a luxury silk tie company, was introduced to and fell in love with the fine wines of France. He dreamt of using the Burgundian techniques he had become passionate about, to one day make his own Californian wines. Meanwhile, in 1972, the legendary Sleepy Hollow Vineyard was planted for the first time in the cool-climate region of the Santa Lucia Highlands. In 1982, Robert together with his son, Robb, realised his dream and launched Talbott Vineyards. In 1994, they acquired the Sleepy Hollow Vineyard to become an all-estate winery. For 30 years, their wines have consistently garnered praise from wine critics and enthusiasts alike, including a rare 100-point score for the 1990 vintage of the Sleepy Hollow Chardonnay from Wine Spectator during a special retrospective tasting in 1997. They are a certified Californian Sustainable Winegrower.

ABOUT THE VINEYARD:
Talbott Vineyards is defined by its iconic Sleepy Hollow Vineyard, where the conditions are ideal for exceptional, cool-climate Pinot Noir. Located in the northern area of the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA in the Monterey County, it has been designated one of California’s Grand Cru vineyards by Wine Enthusiast in 2016, for its ability to produce exceptional wines year after year. The vines were first planted in 1972 at an elevation of 168 metres and cover 228 hectares. Due to the proximity of the Pacific Ocean and the east-to-northeasterly exposure, cooling fog and frequent ocean breezes temper the warm sunshine, giving Sleepy Hollow one of the longest growing seasons in California and allowing each grape to develop concentrated flavours. The soils consist of Arroyo Seco gravelly loam & Chualar gravelly loam. 90% of the fruit is from the Dijon clone vines ranging from 15 to 25 years; 10% is Martini clone fruit from the original 1972 plantings. The vines are certified as sustainably cultivated and the fruit is hand-picked.

THE WINEMAKING PROCESS:
The grapes underwent open-top fermentation with selected yeasts at controlled temperatures. During vinification, twice daily punch-downs took place for optimal and elegant extraction. The wine was matured for 11 months in French oak barrels, of which 40% were new oak.

OUR TASTING NOTES:
This Pinot Noir offers a distinct earthiness, minerality with hints of nutmeg and clove mingling with notes of ripe black cherry, raspberry and vanilla bean to deliver a rich, mouth-filling texture through to a complex finish.

GRAPE VARIETY:
Pinot Noir 100%.