Winemaker: Dan Karlsen
Grape: 100% estate-grown Chardonnay
Region: Santa Lucia Higlands, California
“Best Talbott Chardonnay in a number of years” – 92 points Robert Parker
Robert Talbott, a wine maker who is also involved in fashion business, makes spectacular wines in Santa Lucia Highlands. His signature estate Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs are named by his children, or by his antique “Diamond T” truck that Rob once restored. Robert Talbott was always a man of many talents and high work ethic. When hearing his life story, one is amazed how much he achieved aside of helping with his parents family business. His high work ethics and many different talents combined with a love of adventure, made him capable of almost anything.
When the family traveled for business to Europe, young Robert began to be very interested in wine and its making. In 1981 he planted the first grapes on his Diamond T vineyard and a year later launched Talbott vineyards with his father. Soon after he started to design a winery, the family later built in Carmel valley. I had the pleasure of tasting the scale of his wines for quite a few years, vintage after vintage so I can testify that Talbott’s wines are among the highly respected California wines on my list!
Chardonnay Kali-hart and Pinot Noir, Diamont T Chardonnay or Sleepy Hollow Chardonnay as well as several different cuvées, created in Talbott vineyards – they are all serious wines with highest attention to quality. Talbott Logan Chardonnay is named after Robb’s son.
Sleepy Hollow Vineyard is located in the northern part of the Santa Lucia Highlands . This is a vineyard considered one of the “grand cru” in California. Grapes for this Chardonnay came from several selected sections of Sleepy Hollow Vineyard, and includes grapes from 16- to 35-year-old Wente clone vines, as well as selections from more youthful Dijon clone vines.
After the harvest at the peak of ripeness the whole clusters were pressed in the winery. 70% was fermented in French oak barrels and the rest in stainless steel tanks. Wine then aged “sur lie” for 8 months which gave it that extra complexity, and rested in bottles for an additional 6 months prior to release.
Tasting notes:
Light yellow color with green notes and beautiful aroma of tropical fruits like pineapple, mango and lemon grass. Generous medium – full body structure, full of lovely fruity flavors like mango, peach and citrus. Hints of vanilla and toast, but this wine is crisp and nicely balanced with acidity and minerality. Rich and long finish makes you to reach for a second glass.
Excellent Chardonnay, which shouldn’t be surprising, coming from Talbott’s house!
Dry – Off dry – Medium sweet – Sweet
Light – Medium – Full body
No oak – Aged in oak
Retail price: around $ 18.00
Ideal food pairing:
antipasto, Thanksgiving leftover turkey miniburgers, Tilapia loin with a spicy sweet potato hash, Pan seared scallops with creamy corn, Chicken and shrimp skewers and many more
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