The Santa Lucia Highlands AVA lies on the western edge of the Salinas Valley where the Santa Lucia Mountains start to rise from the valley floor. Cool air flow from Monterey Bay and nearby Pacific Ocean allows for a long growing season and intensely-flavored Chardonnay grapes. The Sleepy Hollow Vineyard was planted here in 1972 and the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA was established in 1990. Talbott’s Sleepy Hollow Chardonnays are noted for their buttery richness and the 2020 Talbott Chardonnay exhibits that style. This is a luscious and smooth Chardonnay with a fine balance. It shows ripe apple and pineapple fruit, hints of vanilla and spice from barrel aging, and the classic buttery/butterscotchy richness emblematic of Monterey Chardonnays. If you like the rich, round and ripe style of California Chardonnay, give the Talbott Sleepy Hollow Chardonnay a try.
Talbott Vineyards, Santa Lucia Highlands (Monterey County, California) Chardonnay 2020
By Wayne Belding