Talley Chardonnay Rosemary’s Arroyo Grande Valley 2017 750 ML

What I think is one of the top Chardonnay’s coming from the Central Coast, the 2013 Chardonnay Estate Rosemary’s Vineyard saw the same elevage as the other whites, with barrel fermenting and aging on lees for 14 months in 20% new French oak. It has drop-dead gorgeous notes of citrus rind, melon, crushed rock and hints of brioche that flow to a classic, straight, laser-focused style on the palate. While the Rincon Chardonnay has slightly more exotic qualities, this is textbook and classic Chardonnay all the way. Gorgeous.Juicy in style, this blend of 45% Petit Verdot, 25% Merlot, 23% Malbec and 7% Cabernet Franc offers aromas of fresh-pressed blackberry and a hint of caramel. Charred oak, red-cherry and cranberry flavors arise on the palate alongside dried sage. Matt Kettmann
Producer Information
For three generations the Talley family has farmed in Coastal San Luis Obispo County, a tradition that began in 1948 when Oliver Talley founded Talley Farms and started growing vegetables in the Arroyo Grande Valley. In short order, Oliver came to be recognized for the exceptional quality of the vegetables he grew, especially bell peppers. After witnessing the success of winegrowing in the neighboring Edna Valley, Oliver’s son, Don Talley, became convinced of the potential for growing high-quality wine grapes on the steep hillsides above Talley Farms. He planted a small test plot in 1982 on the west hillside of the Rincon Vineyard. Four years later, in 1986, Don and his wife, Rosemary, founded Talley Vineyards with the vision to produce estate-bottled wines with the same reputation for quality as their vegetables—wines that captured the unique character of their land and exemplified their expertise as farmers. The inaugural vintage of 450 cases was produced in a vegetable cooler at Talley Farms. The wines sold out quickly, and production increased over the next five years, until 1991, when a new winery was built at the foot of the Rincon Vineyard. That same year, Don and Rosemary’s son Brian became General Manager of the business. Brian had developed a passion for wine when he worked in a wine shop while attending UC Berkeley. Brian and his wife, Johnine, now own and operate Talley Vineyards, adhering to the original vision of making estate-bottled wines that reflect the special character of the land they farm as well as the family’s agricultural legacy. Todd, Ryan, Brian, and Rosemary Talley continue to own and operate Talley Farms, which grows more than 50 different kinds of fruits and vegetables.