Winemaker Notes
The 2015 vintage of Estate Pinot Noir is translucent garnet in hue and expressive of the distinctive character of the Arroyo Grande Valley which produces structured pinot noir with strong mineral notes. Bright strawberry aromas are complemented by hints of pomegranate seed and sage. The palate reveals notes of dried cranberry, strawberry cream, and black tea, with soft sandalwood undertones weighted toward a juicy and lingering finish.
Enjoy this pinot noir with grilled salmon or caprese salad.
Professional Ratings
-
Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: Talley's Estate Pinot Noir is one of the most consistent great stories in the Central Coast. The 2015 vintage exudes superb brightness. TASTING NOTES: This wine shows terrific style and balance, and yet it is quite rich and lasting. Its aromas and flavors of pure red fruits make it a natural partner with grilled lamb chops. (Tasted: August 20, 2018, San Francisco, CA)
-
Jeb Dunnuck
A terrific value, the 2015 Pinot Noir Arroyo Grande Valley comes from the Rincon, Rosemary’s and Las Ventanas Vineyards and spent 19 months in 30% new French oak. It offers classic notes of spiced red fruits (strawberries, raspberries), underbrush and spice in its charming, impeccably balanced, silky style. It doesn't have the length or depth of the single vineyards, yet is a classic California Pinot Noir that shines for its typicity and balance.
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Pale to medium ruby-purple colored, the 2015 Pinot Noir Estate reveals a lovely perfume of lavender, dried Provence herbs and dried roses over a core of fresh cranberries and Bing cherries, plus a waft of cinnamon stick. Light to medium-bodied and with great elegance in the mouth, the perfumed red fruit is nicely framed by soft, fine-grained tannins and it finishes on an earthy note.
-
Wine Enthusiast
Pretty aromas of pomegranate, red-rose petals, carnations and hibiscus make for a fresh and juicy entry to this appellation blend. The relatively lighter-bodied palate is richer than expected, with deep pomegranate and hibiscus flavors.
-
Wine Spectator
Powerfully spicy, with dried ginger and cardamom notes to the concentrated cherry, currant and plum flavors. Shows broad reach on the savory and well-honed finish. Drink now through 2024.
Thin-skinned, finicky and temperamental, Pinot Noir is also one of the most rewarding grapes to grow and remains a labor of love for some of the greatest vignerons in Burgundy. Fairly adaptable but highly reflective of the environment in which it is grown, Pinot Noir prefers a cool climate and requires low yields to achieve high quality. Outside of France, outstanding examples come from in Oregon, California and throughout specific locations in wine-producing world. Somm Secret—André Tchelistcheff, California’s most influential post-Prohibition winemaker decidedly stayed away from the grape, claiming “God made Cabernet. The Devil made Pinot Noir.”
One of the coolest growing areas in California, the Arroyo Grande Valley runs from the southwest to the northeast, just a few miles from the Pacific Ocean and is part of the Central Coast AVA. Situated so that cold Pacific Ocean air and fog is allowed to filter into the valley, Arroyo Grande also has an incredibly long growing season. Bud break occurs in February in most years with flowering in May and harvest in late September; the area is classified as cool Mediterranean.
These weather factors combined with the soil types—continental and marine rocks, greywacke, limestone, shale and volcanic—create wines with great concentration and fresh acidity. The cooler end of the valley is perfect for Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and is a good producer of sparkling wines. The warmer, more inland part of the valley is home to some of California’s oldest Zinfandel vines.