The Chardonnay in the Rincon vineyard is own-rooted, planted in 1984 in calcareous clay. The wine is faintly cloudy and offers a demure fragrance of lemon peel, lemon custard, and white spices. But it’s not heavy or rich, as there’s also a suggestion of fresh, crushed thyme, and the spicy mid-palate conjures preserved lemons. A light grassiness (found in most of the Talley wines) imbues it with youthful spirit.
13.3% abv | $44 (sample) 17 barrels made
Own rooted, but not in sandy soils? Neat trick!
I was surprised.