Talley Vineyards Estate Chardonnay Arroyo Grande 2017

Brian Talley is a third generation farmer in San Luis Obispo whose family has been making use of the fertile land in the coastal region since the 1940’s. Talley Farms grew a reputation over the decades as a place to get the best fresh produce in the area. But when Brian took over the family winery in 1991, he quickly built a new twist on the family reputation, by being known more for churning out some of the most interesting, sophisticated old-world style wines in all of California. He became and is a media darling, oftentimes mentioned in the same vein in Chardonnay winemaking as the likes of Paul Hobbs, Steve Kistler and Larry Hyde.

Brian seized on a great opportunity to purchase a few vineyards throughout the Arroyo Grande region in the 1990’s picking perfect spots for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes to thrive. Talley single-vineyard wines are also produced by a list of some of the best in the business, including Au Bon Climat, Ojai and Paul Lato. That’s a testament to the quality of vineyards the Talleys have. The dozens of 90+ Wine Advocate scores, as well as his Robert Parker’s, “Wine Person of the Year Award” is a testament to how much Brian Talley means to the American wine community.

All of Talley’s single-vineyard wines regularly rack up 94+ point scores and favorable reviews, and will run you $50/bottle if you manage to get your hands on one. Today, the Arroyo Grande Estate Chardonnay, a collection of four different single vineyard Chardonnays in an elegant Old World blend with wonderful peach, citrus and floral notes and a hint of buttery toast on the finish ala Burgundy.