What a royal wine, and best compared to a Burgundy Grand Cru, this Californian Talbott Sleepy Hollow Pinot Noir. The Sleepy Hollow vineyard, like no other, helped put the Santa Lucia Highlands on the international map and is now considered world-renowned. And that's true, a vineyard that truly embodies everything a top vineyard should have. Perched atop the mountain, the vineyard offers panoramic views of the Salinas Valley and beyond. Sleepy Hollow is situated on a vast benchland 13 miles from Monterey Bay. The subsoil is well-drained thanks to the thin soils composed of sand, gravel, and granite. These soils reduce yields and create rich, concentrated flavors in the grapes.
Burgundian grapes on Californian soil
For decades, wine lovers have been enjoying Talbott wines. The world-renowned winery owns two impressive estate vineyards. The family-owned winery was founded in 1982 when Robb Talbott Talbott began planting Burgundian grape varieties on the windswept mountaintop in Carmel Valley. The grapes are grown on two of Monterey County's grand cru sites. These two vineyards have remarkably different growing conditions, allowing for the harvest of distinctive Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes.
Talbott Sleepy Hollow's old Pinot Noir vineyard
The vineyard receives morning sun from the east in the northeast, and having spent much of its ripening time in the cool mist and winds of the Pacific Ocean, the Pinot Noir grapes are of unparalleled quality. The grapes develop the character, intensity, and length of flavor for which the vineyard is renowned. This Talbott Sleepy Hollow is the world-class Pinot Noir. The flagship of this fine winery, this Pinot Noir offers elegant, fresh aromas of lavender, black cherry, and blackberry on the nose, along with richer notes of vanilla and subtle spices. On the rich palate, savory notes of black cherry, vanilla, clove, and nutmeg blend with raspberry and plum flavors for a soft, mouth-filling texture. Rich, elegant, and luxurious, this Pinot Noir boasts vibrant acidity and a satiny finish with nuances of cinnamon, vanilla, and spice.
2016
