Talbott Sleepy Hollow Chardonnay

The 2018 Sleepy Hollow Chardonnay is a bright, elegant expression of the acclaimed Sleepy Hollow Vineyards. Drawn from our favorite blocks, our Chardonnay is opulent with nimble details. Aromas of fresh-sliced Pink Lady apple lift from the glass, delivering hints of juicy pineapple and pear with caramelized brown sugar. Ripe notes of tropical fruit reveal excellent texture and mouthfeel. This wine finishes unctuous and decadent with excellent acidity that is nimble and refreshing on the palate.

Our Sleepy Hollow Chardonnay is produced using primarily Dijon clones of Chardonnay that range from 15-25 years old. We blend these wines with enough of our original 1972 plantings from our prized South Block to add a sense of continuity and complexity. Sleepy Hollow’s 2018 harvest produced exceptional quality grapes with intense concentration of fruit and bright acidity. The growing season was steady and began with plentiful winter rainfall and warm spring temperatures. An early summer brought cool nights and gentle warmth in July and August. A consistently cool September allowed the grapes to mature slowly, retain acidity and build highly detailed flavors. With a long growing season, Sleepy Hollow is legendary for achieving balanced, nuanced and intense tropical and stone fruit flavors.

More than any other vineyard, Sleepy Hollow has established Monterey and the Santa Lucia Highlands as world-renowned winegrowing regions. With panoramic views of the Salinas Valley and beyond, Sleepy Hollow is perched on an expansive benchland 13 miles from Monterey Bay. The vineyard features well-drained sparse soils comprised of sand, gravel and granite that moderate yields and create rich, concentrated flavors in the grapes. The vineyard receives morning sunlight from its east-southeast exposure and spends much of the time in the cool fog and wind from the Pacific Ocean. With a long, cool growing season, the grapes develop the character, intensity and depth of flavor for which the vineyard has become famous.

Fruit was handpicked and whole cluster pressed, cold settled and then 100% barrel fermented in French Oak

10 months in French oak barrels, 40% new

François Frères, Damy, Billon

14.4%