2016 Talbott Kali Hart Pinot Noir Monterey County 90 14.2% 750ml screw cap $21

The nose of this ruby-toned wine is a rich melange of berries, both red and dark. The palate is also fruit-centric, poached dark cherries mixed with darker berries, but there’s a strong, savory supporting cast of dewy forest floor, cola, and spice in the background. The palate has medium-body with moderate texture that is very fine-grained and velvety.

This wine drinks nicely by itself, but will work well with savory dishes from braised chicken thighs to light beef and lamb dishes. Drink now through 2022.

2016 Talbott Kali Hart Chardonnay Monterey County 89 14.1% 750ml screw cap $20

Baking spice and a hint of oak accent bold aromas of poached green apple and under ripe peach. Those notes appear again on the flavorful palate. Medium-plus body with a satisfyingly viscous mouthfeel which, when it subsides, reveals fine, silky texture offset by gently mouthwatering acidity.

A good, fruit-forward Chardonnay for casual meals of anything from salads, through grilled fish with fruit salsa, to chicken enchiladas.

The preceding reviews of Talbott Kali Hart wines, both made from estate-grown fruit, are based on samples.

Cool-Climate Monterey County Wine Country

There are nine AVAs in Monterey County, including the Chalone AVA which overlaps San Benito County. Some of the AVAs are pretty warm, such as San Antonio Valley which is at the southern end of the county. However, the Santa Lucia Highlands and Arroyo Seco AVAs and the northern portion of the Monterey AVA, are cool climate regions. Winds coming off the cold, deep Monterey Bay and sweep down through the Salinas Valley. These are excellent zones for Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Riesling. It’s those regions from which the fruit for Kali Hart wines comes. The majority is from the Santa Lucia Highlands.

Further reading

For more information about Talbott Vineyards and its Kali Hart wines, please see my article from last summer.

What Everyone Should Know about the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA details the area in which Talbott Vineyards is based.

Copyright Fred Swan 2019. Images courtesy of Talbott Vineyards. All rights reserved.