Talbott 2018 Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands 3000ml Double Magnum

Talbott’s Sleepy Hollow Vineyard is one of the great Pinot Noir and Chardonnay sites in California. It was first planted in 1972 in the Santa Lucia Highlands, a Monterey County appellation on a bench above the Salinas Valley that gets some of the coolest growing conditions of any wine region in the state, with cold Pacific winds that arrive every afternoon. Robb Talbott purchased the vineyard in 1994, which made Talbott an estate winery, and Sleepy Hollow’s reputation has only grown since: Wine Enthusiast called it a “Grand Cru” California vineyard, and its 1990 Chardonnay received a perfect 100 points from Wine Spectator in a 1997 retrospective tasting.

The 2018 Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Pinot Noir is the estate’s flagship red, bottled under screw cap at 14.6% ABV. The winery describes it as “an elegant, luxurious expression of the world-class wine produced in Talbott’s Sleepy Hollow Vineyard,” offering “a distinct earthiness, minerality and dark fruit intensity characteristic of Sleepy Hollow’s long growing season and terroir.”

Critics scored it consistently well. James Suckling gave it 93 (July 2021): “Aromas of ripe cherries, plums, button mushrooms and baking spices. It’s medium- to full-bodied, round and creamy with soft tannins and bright acidity. Juicy, ripe and flavorful. Tangy, zesty undertones.” Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate scored it 93 (December 2022): “Medium ruby-purple, the 2018 Pinot Noir Sleepy Hollow Vineyard features blackberry and dark cherry on the nose with accents of licorice, pipe tobacco, earth and citrus peel. The medium-bodied palate is soft and grainy with concentrated, earthy fruits and a long, graphite-laced finish.” Vinous’s Josh Raynolds scored it 93 (September 2020): “Deep, brilliant scarlet. Expansive aromas of ripe red berries, potpourri and incense; baking spice and vanilla nuances build as the wine opens up. Sappy and penetrating on the palate, offering appealingly sweet raspberry, cherry and floral pastille flavors that display impressive depth as well as energy. Vibrant and seamless in texture, showing solid finishing thrust, repeating florality and well-knit tannins.” Wine Spectator scored it 92: “This elegant red is filled with fresh-crushed cherry and plum flavors that are backed by crunchy acidity. Ends with notes of dried savory herbs on the svelte, minerally finish.” Wine Enthusiast’s Matt Kettmann scored it 90: “Aromas of dried cherry, sagebrush, baked berry and loamy earth show on the nose of this bottling from the historic vineyard. Dark berry and black plum flavors emerge on the sip, where licorice and nutmeg add layers to the bold wine.” The scores average 92.2 across the five reviews. (All reviews are of the standard 750ml bottle; the double magnum holds the same wine.)

The 3-liter double magnum holds four bottles of wine, about 20 glasses, a showpiece for a dinner party, a holiday table, or a gift. Large formats age more slowly than standard bottles, which is useful here: Wine Spectator suggested drinking the 750ml through 2025, and the 3L should keep its freshness well beyond that. It’s a savory, earthy, fruit-forward California Pinot Noir with bright acidity, a great match for roast duck, salmon, mushroom dishes, roasted chicken, and lamb. Serve it slightly cool, at about 60-62°F, and give it a little air.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Talbott 2018 Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Pinot Noir is produced by Talbott Vineyards in the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, California, from estate-grown Pinot Noir from the Sleepy Hollow Vineyard (planted 1972; Talbott-owned since 1994). Screw cap. 14.6% ABV. Presented in a 3000ml double magnum, equal to four standard bottles.

Critics Reviews

Scores are for the 750ml bottle; the double magnum holds the same wine.

James Suckling — 93 Points (July 2021):
“Aromas of ripe cherries, plums, button mushrooms and baking spices. It’s medium- to full-bodied, round and creamy with soft tannins and bright acidity. Juicy, ripe and flavorful. Tangy, zesty undertones.”

Erin Brooks, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate — 93 Points (December 2022):
“Medium ruby-purple, the 2018 Pinot Noir Sleepy Hollow Vineyard features blackberry and dark cherry on the nose with accents of licorice, pipe tobacco, earth and citrus peel. The medium-bodied palate is soft and grainy with concentrated, earthy fruits and a long, graphite-laced finish.”

Josh Raynolds, Vinous — 93 Points (September 2020):
“Deep, brilliant scarlet. Expansive aromas of ripe red berries, potpourri and incense; baking spice and vanilla nuances build as the wine opens up. Sappy and penetrating on the palate, offering appealingly sweet raspberry, cherry and floral pastille flavors that display impressive depth as well as energy.”

Wine Spectator — 92 Points (August 2021):
“This elegant red is filled with fresh-crushed cherry and plum flavors that are backed by crunchy acidity. Ends with notes of dried savory herbs on the svelte, minerally finish.”

Matt Kettmann, Wine Enthusiast — 90 Points (September 2021):
“Aromas of dried cherry, sagebrush, baked berry and loamy earth show on the nose of this bottling from the historic vineyard. Dark berry and black plum flavors emerge on the sip, where licorice and nutmeg add layers to the bold wine.”

Tasting Profile

Nose
Medium ruby-purple. Ripe cherry, plum, blackberry, and dark cherry, with button mushroom, baking spice, licorice, pipe tobacco, and loamy earth.

Palate
Medium- to full-bodied, round and creamy, with cherry and plum, sappy raspberry, soft tannin, and bright acidity.

Finish
Long and savory, with dried herbs, graphite, and a mineral edge.

Quick Overview

Food Pairings

• Roast duck and chicken
• Salmon and mushroom dishes
• Lamb and charcuterie
• Soft cheeses

Serving Note

Serve slightly cool, at about 60-62°F, with a little air.