Talbott Vineyards, Santa Lucia Highlands (Monterey County, California) Pinot Noir 2019

 To me the Santa Lucia Highlands is an almost magical place, especially for its isolated, rugged terrain but also for its Pinot Noirs (though, as with any region, quality varies).  And I’ve found the middle to southern part of the eastward facing strip of hills has more to offer.  Talbott, on the northern end, has always made good wines, but either under the original family or now with Gallo, it seems to struggle to make really interesting wines.  I’m not sure if that’s the terroir or the winemaking.  In this case, the wine presented has very nice rounded cherry flavors – Pinot’s calling card – but there could be more savory notes, some rooty or cola flavors, anything beyond the basics.  Again, a good wine, but you wish for more considering the region and the price.  I’m also always a little curious when the average price quoted by wine-searcher.com – here, $38 – is so much below the SRP or asking price, which is $50.