2023 Rincon Vineyard Chardonnay
Arroyo Grande AVA
Tasting Notes
“Pale yellow hue. Aroma profile comprised of pralines, kiwi, guava, butterscotch, and vanilla starts off this Chardonnay. Once on the palate, the aromas stay consistent while opening up to ripe apple notes. With a lush start to the texture, it segues to a refined quality with time. The wine finishes silky smooth and persistent. Enjoy now through 2032.”
~Bill Brosseau, Director of Winemaking
January 2025
Production Data
Growers: Talley Family
Winemaker: Bill Brosseau
Appellation: Arroyo Grande Valley
Elevation/Exposure: 400 feet; West, Southwest
Soil: Shallow soil composed of local and calcareous clay
Vineyard Age: 38 years
Viticulture Practice: Sustainable (SIP Certified)
Vinification: Pressed Whole-cluster, fermented in French Oak
Cooperage & Ageing: 10 months in French oak, 50% new
Production: 12 barrels
Composition: 100% Chardonnay
Acidity: TBD
Alcohol: 14.1%
Harvest: November 2, 2023, hand harvested
Release Price: $59
Drink Now through 2032
Past Vintage Wine Scores
“Clean aromas of coconut, jasmine, peach and plumeria are quite prominent on the nose of this bottling. The palate is fleshy with nectarine and melon flavors that are balanced by lemon zest and a savory sea salt note.”
Matt Kettmann
Wine Enthusiast
May 2024
“The 2021 Chardonnay displays scents of lemon and hazelnut on the nose. On the palate, it reveals freshness and excellent acidity with a firm structure and dense flavors of lemon, hazelnut and toasty oak. It has a medium long finish with toasty oak and hazelnut notes. From 36-year-old vines, hand harvested, pressed whole cluster and fermented and aged 15 months in 67% new French oak. pH 3.47, 14.1% alc.”
Don Winkler
International Wine Review
August 2023
“Showcases marmalade, tangerine and mango flavors that are fleshy and juicy on a succulent frame, with accents of orange blossoms, candied ginger and a drizzle of wildflower honey and nutmeg on the finish. Drink now. 120 cases made.”
MaryAnn Worobiec
Wine Spectator
May 2023
“Starbright medium yellow. Toasty nose with lemon meringue and cling peach aromas. Silky, refined mouth feel with fine, firm structure, and pure ripe yellow fruit flavors. Noticeable oak on a medium weight palate; seamlessly integrated with pure fresh yellow fruit, finishing long with lingering freshness. All Clone 4 sourced from 35-year-old vines in shallow calcareous clay soils at 400′ altitude; whole cluster pressed and fermented in French oak. Matured in 50% new French oak for 19 months. pH 3.41 Rincon is the first vineyard planted (self-rooted) in 1984 by the Talley family.”
Don Winkler
International Wine Review
February 2023
“Clean aromas of white peach, crisp pear, wet earth and clean, light butter show on the nose of this single-vineyard expression. The palate is a classic combination of toasted nuts, citrus spray and crisp stone-fruit flavors.”
Matt Kettmann
Wine Enthusiast
November 2022 Issue
“Lovely aromas of white flower, white peach, soft butter, salt and seashell converge on the dynamic nose of this bottling. The palate is wrapped in a fascinatingly tight texture, with waves of citrus, salt and stone fruit carrying on into a very long finish.”
Matt Kettmann
Wine Enthusiast
December 2021 Issue
“Another celebrated vineyard that shows smooth, elegant tropical fruit buttressed by firm acidity; creamy and dense, complex, rich and long.”
Anthony Dias Blue
September 2020
“Lastly, the 2018 Chardonnay Rincon Vineyard comes from the Arroyo Grande Valley and saw 44% new French oak. Pale gold-colored, it offers beautiful notes of white peach, crushed mint, spice, and a kiss of clean salinity. It’s beautifully done, polished, medium to full-bodied, and impeccably balanced.”
Jeb Dunnuck
August 2020
“Smooth, juicy and luscious with deep, dense fruit; rich and layered, long and creamy, fresh and tangy, complex and long.”
Anthony Dias Blue
May 2019
“Limpid yellow-gold. Ripe orchard and pit fruits on the deeply perfumed nose, along with suggestions of fig, vanilla and tangerine. In an ample yet energetic style, showing excellent clarity and solid thrust to the oak-spiced poached pear, white peach and orange flavors. Clings with strong tenacity on a smooth, smoke- and spice-tinged finish that leaves pear nectar and buttered toast notes behind.”
Josh Reynolds
Antonio Galloni’s Vinous
November 2019
“This bottling from a coveted vineyard offers a little bit of everything for the Chardonnay lover. The nose begins with aromas of candied lime, tangerine pith, golden butter and cashew cream. The palate continues with toasted hazelnut, fresh lemon and then a crème brûlée finish, yet it’s all wrapped in searing acidity and a chalky mouthfeel.” Editor’s Choice.
Matt Kettmann
Wine Enthusiast
November 2019
“With a wonderfully gregarious, multilayered nose of guava, pineapple, ripe peaches and pink grapefruit plus supporting notions of spice box, candied ginger and toasted nuts, the medium-bodied 2015 Chardonnay Diana’s is tightly wound in the mouth, offering glimpses at the many tropical and savory layers, finishing long and vibrant.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
September 2017
“Very stony and chalky sea-shell aromas arise off of this bottling that also benefits from lemon curd and plump Anjou-pear fruit on the edges. A tingling acidity and steely structure frames the palate, where delicate flavors of Key lime and more lemon curd add depth to the tension.”
Wine Enthusiast
“Starbright and medium dark gold in color, this lovely Chardonnay offers loads of fruit in the nose. Rich and fruit forward, it reveals notes of lemon and green mango with a creamy texture and interesting flavors finishing with very good length..”
International Wine Review
“Coming out of the Arroyo Grande Valley, the 2012 Chardonnay Rincon Vineyard is made in a rich, full-throttle style. Giving up ample ripe golden apple, vanilla cream, spice and toasty notes, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, integrated acidity and a terrific finish. It’s a rocking Chardonnay that will deliver the goods over the coming 2-3 years.”
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“Coming from shallow, loamy and calcareous soils and more mineral-driven and elegant, the 2011 Chardonnay Rincon Vineyard is gorgeous. Offering plenty of crushed stone-like minerality, ripe apple, citrus and hints of tasted bread, this medium-bodied, full and balanced effort has integrated acidity and a concentrated mid-palate. While I’d drink it over the coming couple of years, it could have an interesting evolution beyond that as well. Drink now-2016.”
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
August 2013
TOP 100 Wine of the Year
“A gorgeous Chardonnay, flamboyant in tropical fruit, honey, cream and buttered toast, but so balanced in acids and minerals, so clean and pure, that it ventures into truly classic territory. The vineyard long has been a special one for Talley. Now, Testarossa gets to dip in, with fantastic results. One of the best Chardonnays Testarossa has ever produced.”
Steve Heimoff
Wine Enthusiast
October 2013
The Rincon Vineyard
Owned by the Talley Family, who have farmed Southern San Luis Obispo County for three generations, the Rincon Vineyard dates back to 1982. Planted just 7 miles northeast of the Pacific Ocean, the vineyard has soils that are reminiscent of Burgundy, in particularly the Côte de Nuits with its steep terrain. Working closely with the Talley Family, Testarossa owners, Rob and Diana Jensen, and Director of Winemaking Bill Brosseau, have created very exceptional Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with classic old world flavors, great concentration and complexity.