Talbott Sleepy Hollow Pinot Noir
Talbott Sleepy Hollow Pinot Noir (2018) is the flagship pinot of Talbott Vineyards — 100% estate-grown Pinot Noir from the 565-acre Sleepy Hollow Vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands of Monterey County, California, planted in 1972 and counted among the coldest, oldest sites in the region. 14.6% ABV. The 2018 vintage earned 93 points from James Suckling, 93 from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 93 from Vinous, 92 from Wine Spectator, and 90 from Wine Enthusiast. Sarsaparilla, nutmeg, and clove on the nose with ripe black cherry, raspberry, and vanilla bean; earthy, mineral, and dark-fruit intense on the palate with a rich, mouth-filling texture and a complex finish. Order it online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 14.6% (retailer-sourced; not winery-published)
- Size: 750mL
- Vintage: 2018
- Vineyard: Sleepy Hollow Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County, CA — 565 estate acres, planted 1972
- Ratings: 93 James Suckling · 93 Wine Advocate · 93 Vinous · 92 Wine Spectator · 90 Wine Enthusiast
A Grand Cru California Vineyard
Wine Enthusiast's nickname for Sleepy Hollow isn't marketing fluff — it's one of California's oldest Pinot Noir plantings, a cold, windswept site whose long growing season builds the earthiness and minerality critics keep finding in the glass. Talbott's flagship bottling is the purest expression of it: 100% estate fruit, no purchased grapes. Explore Talbott wines or browse red wines.
Tasting Notes
Nose: sarsaparilla, nutmeg, and clove mingling with ripe black cherry, raspberry, and vanilla bean. Palate: distinct earthiness, minerality, and dark fruit intensity; highly detailed red and black berry flavors, vibrant acidity, well-heeled tannins. Finish: complex, mineral-driven, long.
How to Enjoy
Decant 30 minutes and serve at cellar temperature. Roast duck, mushroom risotto, or aged cheeses — the earthiness loves savory food.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Sleepy Hollow Vineyard special? It's Talbott's estate vineyard — 565 acres in the Santa Lucia Highlands planted in 1972, among the coldest, oldest sites in the region; Wine Enthusiast called it a "Grand Cru" California vineyard.
Is the 2018 Talbott Sleepy Hollow Pinot Noir ready to drink? Yes — critics reviewed it as drinking beautifully at release with vibrant acidity and soft tannins; it's in its prime now.
One of California's landmark pinots — order Talbott Sleepy Hollow Pinot Noir online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.