Winemaker Notes
Talbott Sleepy Hollow Vineyard sits at the northern edge of the Santa Lucia Highlands, 21 miles from the coast. Sandy, gravelly soils and a dramatic maritime influence increase hang time, producing a Chardonnay of intense varietal character, balanced acidity and rich flavor.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Winemaker Kamee Knutson calls this wine a village blend from all three parts of the 560-acre Sleepy Hollow Vineyard. Full-bodied, moderately oaky, well balanced and mouth-filling, with a third new oak showing through as light toast, butter and almond accents over tropical fruit, pears and apples.
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Vinous
The 2022 Chardonnay Sleepy Hollow Vineyard is a richer, more forward style of Chardonnay. A lovely hug of spicy French oak wraps around a sweet, ripe pear fruit core. Textural intensity is the order of the day—this wine spent much of its maturation period on the lees, which softened its edges in a really pleasant fashion. A forgivable tick of heat emerges on the finish, but this is attractive enough to look past that.
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Wine Spectator
Rich and distinctive, with grilled pineapple, Meyer lemon and smoked butterscotch details that add depth to the core of pear, lemon and quince flavors. A fresh thread of acidity and notes of toasted herbs linger. Drink now. 9,500 cases made.
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.
Perhaps the most highly regarded appellation within Monterey County, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA benefits from a combination of warm morning sunshine and brisk afternoon breezes, allowing grapes to ripen slowly and fully. The result is concentrated, flavorful wines that retain their natural acidity. Wineries here do not shy away from innovation, and place a high priority on sustainable viticultural practices.
The climatic conditions here are perfectly suited to the production of ripe, rich Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. These Burgundian varieties dominate an overwhelming percentage of plantings, though growers have also found success with Syrah, Riesling and Pinot Gris.