2020 Rincon Vineyard Chardonnay - Talley Vineyards

Shockingly electric yet powerful beams of lemon curd, poached apple, ripe mango, and juicy pineapple lead an enthrallingly edgy and intense display brimming with pronounced coastal notes of sea spray, ocean fog, and saline minerality. Hints of brioche, yogurt, and light cream gently attempt to soften the nervy attack with help from a dusting of elegant baking spices including nutmeg, vanilla, and cinnamon. Wafts of honeysuckle, jasmine, and white blossoms proudly bolster aromatics via lifted floral perfume that does not detract from palpable streaks of tension and energy. Brilliantly bold and flavor-packed on the palate while boasting an exciting combination of roundness, crispness, and zip; exhibiting a full throttle and tongue-tinglingly bright presentation that is incredibly tightly-wound yet still pretty and terroir-expressive. Medium-plus bodied yet kept perfectly fresh thanks to deliciously high acidity. This 2020 Rincon Vineyard Chardonnay by Talley Vineyards is a racy and radiant white from the Arroyo Grande Valley.

Located near the southern edge of the San Luis Obispo Coast not far from its border with Santa Barbara County, the Arroyo Grande Valley is a cool and wind-swept winegrowing zone that experiences a unique climate where the consistent California sunshine is offset by heavy coastal influences. This bottling, crafted by Talley Vineyards using Chardonnay sourced from their estate Rincon Vineyard, showcases the near-magical combination of purity, tension, and power this region can facilitate. This generously radiates plump yet nervy citrus, orchard, and tropical fruits complicated by salty earthiness, pleasant bready tones, lifted florals, and perfectly balanced oak. While it can be enjoyed today this is a wine built for the cellar, and will likely require another 5+ years to reach its drinking peak. Wow.