Review: Talbott 2017 Chardonnay and 2018 Pinot Noir Sleepy Hollow Vineyard
Here’s a pair of new releases from Monterey, California-based Talbott Vineyards. These both hail from Talbott’s Sleepy Hollow Vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands, which encompasses 565 gently sloping acres planted in 1972.
2017 Talbott Chardonnay Sleepy Hollow Vineyard – Overwhelming with oak, this wine has an almost aggressive focus on the barrel, heavy with a doughy, bready character that slides slowly toward notes of green bean. Fortunately there’s plenty of lemon and apricot character to lift it up, providing a much-needed edge of fruit to counter an overwhelmingly creamy body that hints at sesame and cookie dough. B / $45
2018 Talbott Pinot Noir Sleepy Hollow Vineyard – A somewhat chunky wine at first, this pinot offers earthy notes complemented by elements of licorice and berry bush brambles before it finally settles into a more fruity — albeit densely so — groove. Dominated by chewy blackberries with a light layer of spice, there’s a chocolate character that finds its way onto the palate in time for the finish, lightening things up just enough to give it a more playful liveliness. B+ / $50
2018 Talbott Pinot Noir Sleepy Hollow Vineyard
$50
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