Talley Vineyards Arroy Grande Valley Chardonnay 2023

	From renowned family winery Talley Vineyards
	Fermented and matured in French oak barrels
	Rich white with butter and oak, but also freshness and minerality

Description

Talley himself introduces this Chardonnay as 'the quintessential expression of Talley Vineyards'. Also according to expert Jebb Dunnuck, this is 'a great introduction for readers looking to understand the style (and quality) of this terrific estate'.

We couldn't agree more. The Talley family has decades of experience growing vegetables in the Arroyo Grande Valley in San Luis Obispo County. Talley Vineyards was founded in 1986. Since then, it has built a strong reputation, particularly for its excellent Chardonnays, characterized by a Burgundian tension and finesse. The grapes thrive in the Central Coast vineyards, which benefit from the cooling breezes from the Pacific Ocean.

This Estate Chardonnay is the estate's signature wine, made exclusively from grapes grown on its own vineyards. This is by no means a given in California, where many producers source their grapes. The Chardonnay is hand-harvested in the Arroyo Grande Valley. In the cellar, classic Burgundy vinification follows: fermentation with native yeasts in wooden barrels and aging for eleven months in (25% new) French oak barrels. Finally, the wine rests briefly in stainless steel tanks.

This method produces an impressive white wine, one that, blindly, you could easily mistake for a Puligny or Meursault. A ripe, rich Chardonnay with notes of butter and toast, but also a lively freshness and a smoky, mineral touch. In short, a magnificent Californian Chardonnay that will definitely appeal to Burgundy lovers.