Talley Vineyards "Rincon Vineyard" Chardonnay 2022
(Arroyo Grande Valley, Central Coast, California) - [TWI 96] [JD 96] [JS 95] [VM 95]

About the Winery:
Talley Vineyards is located in the San Luis Obispo Coast American Viticultural Area (AVA) which is recognized as the coolest AVA in the state of California due to its direct proximity to the cold Pacific Ocean.  Within the San Luis Obispo Coast, there are two smaller AVAs, the Arroyo Grande Valley and the Edna Valley, and the winery owns vineyards and farms in both valleys.  The cool climate of the area, coupled with calcareous clay and shaly loam soils, makes it ideally suited to grow Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Talley Vineyards’ specialties.

The story of Talley Vineyards began when Brian Talley's grandfather, Oliver Talley, began growing specialty vegetables in the Arroyo Grande Valley in 1948. In 1982, his son Don Talley, planted wine grapes on a rolling hillside parcel unsuitable for vegetable farming. Four years later, in 1986, he and his wife Rosemary founded Talley Vineyards.

About the Wine:

Notes from the Winemaker:

Vineyard Notes:
The Rincon Vineyard is the heart of Talley Vineyards, rooted in the home vineyard where the planting began in 1982. This vineyard saw the first plantings of Chardonnay, marking the beginning of our legacy. Over the years, the unique terroir of the East Rincon Vineyard has consistently produced exceptional Chardonnay, characterized by its striking minerality and citrus notes.

Winemakers Notes:
This wine was barrel fermented with native yeast before aging 16 months sur lie in 40% new French oak barriques and puncheons.

96 Points - The Wine Independent:
"The 2022 Rincon Vineyard Chardonnay needs a lot of swirling and shaking to wake up notes of fresh lemon, grapefruit, green apples, and sea spray, followed by suggestions of lime blossoms and baking bread. The light to medium-bodied palate is tightly wound with citrus and mineral layers and great tension, finishing on a lingering floral note. This should age gracefully over 10-12 years." - Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Oct 2024)

96 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"The 2022 Chardonnay Rincon Vineyard brings slightly more toast and spice yet has a similar core of pure stone fruits, white flowers, and subtle toasty, nutty nuances. It has fabulous purity, medium body, a pure, elegant mouthfeel, and vibrant acidity. It's another sensational 2022 from this estate that knocks it out of the park. As with most 2022s, there’s an upfront, accessible style, yet this has the balance and acidity to evolve gracefully for at least a decade." - Jeb Dunnuck (Aug 2024)

95 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2022 Chardonnay Rincon Vineyard brings slightly more toast and spice yet has a similar core of pure stone fruits, white flowers, and subtle toasty, nutty nuances. It has fabulous purity, medium body, a pure, elegant mouthfeel, and vibrant acidity. It's another sensational 2022 from this estate that knocks it out of the park. As with most 2022s, there’s an upfront, accessible style, yet this has the balance and acidity to evolve gracefully for at least a decade." - Antonio Galloni (July 2024)

95 Points - James Suckling:
"This combines amazing richness and viscosity with great acidity for a rich but vibrant expression that you want to linger over. At first creamy and soft with a pillowy entry and creamy texture, then the vivid fresh acidity of lemon and lime zest kick in. Medium-bodied. Sustainable. Drink or hold." - Jim Gordon (Aug 2024)