Talbott Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Chardonnay 2022
(Santa Lucia Highlands, California) - [JS 93] [VM 92]

Vinous - Josh Raynolds writes May 2022:

"If any winery can claim to be a pioneer of Monterey County, it’s Talbott, which was established in 1982, in Carmel. Seemingly overnight, Talbott set a new standard for California, indeed, American Chardonnay. Talbott’s impact on the world’s view of the variety from the Golden State was altered, unlike anything seen since Chalone Vineyards arrived on the scene in 1972. The Sleepy Hollow estate vineyard, which was originally planted in 1972, now sprawls across 565 acres and has always been the source for most of the winery’s fruit. Now owned by the Gallo family (since 2015) quality at Talbott continues at an admirably high level, even if the competition has become fiercer. Recent years’ bottlings, under the direction of head winemaker David Coventry, have been the best wines ever made here, especially when it comes to Pinot Noir. I found these 2019s to be outstanding, across the board. The Kali Hart Chardonnay and Pinot Noir must be counted among America’s greatest values for their respective varieties, and they are even more impressive when one considers how much is made."

93 Points - James Suckling:
Winemaker Kamee Knutson calls this wine a village blend from all three parts of the 560-acre Sleepy Hollow Vineyard. Full-bodied, moderately oaky, well balanced and mouth-filling, with a third new oak showing through as light toast, butter and almond accents over tropical fruit, pears and apples.

92 Points - Vinous:
 The 2022 Chardonnay Sleepy Hollow Vineyard is a richer, more forward style of Chardonnay. A lovely hug of spicy French oak wraps around a sweet, ripe pear fruit core. Textural intensity is the order of the day—this wine spent much of its maturation period on the lees, which softened its edges in a really pleasant fashion.

91 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
Toasted pine nut aromas meet with tangerine flesh and lemon zest on the nose of this bottling. The palate is quite rich with creamy flavors of butter, baked orange and macadamia nut. — Matt Kettmann

90 Points - Wine Spectator:
Rich and distinctive, with grilled pineapple, Meyer lemon and smoked butterscotch details that add depth to the core of pear, lemon and quince flavors. A fresh thread of acidity and notes of toasted herbs linger. Drink now. 9,500 cases made.