Talbott Sleepy Hollow Pinot Noir

The 2018 Sleepy Hollow Pinot Noir is an elegant, luxurious expression of the world-class wine produced in our Sleepy Hollow Vineyard. Our flagship Pinot Noir offers a distinct earthiness, minerality and dark fruit intensity characteristic of Sleepy Hollow’s long growing season and terroir. Aromas of sarsaparilla, nutmeg and clove mingle with notes of ripe black cherry, raspberry and vanilla bean to deliver a rich, mouth-filling texture. Highly detailed red and black berry flavors, vibrant acidity and well-heeled tannins support the inherent minerality that yields a complex finish.

This wine is produced using approximately 90% Dijon clone grapes ranging in age from 15-25 years and approximately 10% Martini clone fruit from our original 1972 plantings. The 2018 vintage was exceptionally moderate with cool temperatures and very few heat spikes from spring through summer. As a result, the grapes enjoyed unusually long hangtime which developed complex flavors, optimal phenolics and beautiful acidity. Yields were normal to slightly below average with harvesting starting two to three weeks later than in recent years.

More than any other vineyard, Sleepy Hollow has helped put Monterey and the Santa Lucia Highlands on the map as world-renowned winegrowing regions. With panoramic views of the Salinas Valley and beyond, Sleepy Hollow is perched on an expansive bench-land 13 miles from Monterey Bay. The vineyard features well-drained, sparse soils comprised of sand, gravel, and granite. These soils moderate yields and create rich, concentrated flavors in the grapes that translate beautifully into the wine. The vineyard receives morning sunlight from its east-southeast exposure and lives 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.

Open-top fermentation with punch-downs 2x per day

11 months in French oak barrels, 40% new

François Frères, Damy, Billon

14.6%