2010 TALBOTT CHARDONNAY
CUVÉE CARLOTTA
The Talbott Cuvée program represents the finest wines made by Talbott Vineyards.
These wines are produced in extremely limited quantities, and only in the best vintages.
As a result, they have become famous for their power and elegance. For the 2010 Cuvée
Carlotta, Winemaker Dan Karlsen selected the 12 most exceptional barrels of
Chardonnay from Sleepy Hollow Vineyard. Talbott Chardonnay Cuvée Carlotta is named
in honor of Robb Talbott’s grandmother.
WINEMAKING
 100% estate-grown Chardonnay
 Alcohol 14.5, pH 3.44, TA .63
 Harvested at the peak of ripeness
 Whole-cluster pressed, tank settled
 Inoculated with cultured yeast in barrel
 100% barrel fermented, 100% new French oak
 Barrel-aged sur lie for 12 months
 Key coopers: François Frères, Marsannay and Sirugue
VINEYARD
The grapes for this wine come from 12-year-old, Dijon clone 95 Chardonnay vines grown
on a prized section of Sleepy Hollow North, which is the coolest part of our vineyard.
Sleepy Hollow is situated on 585 acres of benchland in the Santa Lucia Highlands, 13
miles south of Monterey. The well-drained vineyard features sparse soils comprised of
sand, gravel, and granite. These soils reduce yields and create rich, concentrated flavors
in the grapes. The vineyard receives morning sunlight from its east-northeast exposure,
and lives much of the time in the cool fog and wind from the Pacific Ocean. With a long
growing season, the grapes develop the character, intensity and depth of flavor for which
the vineyard has become famous.
TASTING NOTES
This wine is a beautiful golden straw color. The aromas are bright and appealing with
layers of nectarine, green apple, tropical fruit and a subtle toastiness. On the palate, there
are rich tropical and stone fruit flavors with crisp, refreshing acidity, minerality and
vanilla and oak layers from the barrel aging. The finish is rich, round and creamy.