1997 Talbott Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Chardonnay

Talbott Vineyards was created in 1982 when Robb Talbott planted his original vineyard in Carmel Valley. Robb is the son of the founders of Robert Talbott Inc., an apparel company that started out manufacturing luxury men’s ties, and he learned to enjoy fine wines while on silk buying trips in Europe with his parents. Today Talbott has two estate vineyards – the 565-acre Sleepy Hollow Vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands and the original 14-acre Diamond T Vineyard -- and makes all of its wines from its own grapes. Dan Karlsen is winemaker. Talbott makes Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Wine Reviewers generally are highly complimentary.

Monterey AVA is in Monterey County, south of San Francisco. The long, narrow appellation is a 100-mile ribbon of land that extends from north Monterey County south to the edge of Paso Robles. Most of the AVA is considerably inland from the Pacific Coast, and to the east of the Santa Lucia mountain range. About 40,000 vineyard acres are inside the AVA, making it one of California’s larger appellations. Monterey County, in fact, produces almost as much wine as Napa County because the floor of the valley is taken up by large industrial vineyards producing grapes for bulk wine. However, there are also many premier wine estates within Monterey AVA and its numerous sub-appellations. Monterey AVA includes four recognized micro climates, ranging from a cool, maritime climate at the north end to what is known in California as a Region 4 climate in the south, meaning relatively hot and dry. Monterey AVA includes parts of Carmel Valley and Salinas Valley. More than 50% of the grapes grown in the Monterey AVA are Chardonnay, though the many terroirs and micro climates mean that numerous grapes grow well. Merlot, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Zinfandel and Pinot Blanc are widely planted.

This white variety originated in Burgundy, but is now grown around the world. Its flexibility to thrive in many regions translates to wide flavor profile in the market. Chardonnay is commonly used in making Champagne and sparkling wines.