SLEEPY HOLLOW

(30% new French oak): Brilliant ruby-red. Ripe cherry and black raspberry on the fragrant, smoke-tinged nose. Sappy and expansive, offering gently sweet dark berry flavors that are sharpened by peppery spice and orange pith nuances. Shows good energy and a seamless character on the gently tannic finish, which clings with very good tenacity and subtle spiciness. Rating: 90 Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (May 2014)

This wine is produced using approximately half Martini clone fruit (planted in 1972), and half Dijon clone grapes (ranging in age from 15-20 years)—all from the finest blocks of Sleepy Hollow Vineyard. Sleepy Hollow is situated on 585 acres of benchland in the Santa Lucia Highlands, 13 miles south of Monterey. The well-drained vineyard features sparse soils comprised of sand, gravel, and granite. These soils reduce yields and create rich, concentrated flavors in the grapes. The vineyard receives morning sunlight from its east-northeast 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 fermented. All French oak (30% new). Barrel-aged approximately 10 months. Like all of our wines, our Talbott Pinot Noir, Sleepy Hollow Vineyard is made exclusively from estate-grown grapes. It has aromas of bright cherry and plum leading to floral and spicy French oak notes. On the palate, this Pinot Noir displays a rich texture, soft, velvety tannins and ripe fruit. Flavors of Bing cherry and red plum lead to a long finish with vanilla oak and lively acidity. This wine defines the Talbott style, with power, richness, integrated oak, and cool-climate acidity. 14.8%Winemaker's notes (May 2014)