2018 Talley Vineyards Bishop's Peak Chardonnay San Luis Obispo County 750 ml

Packed with all of the expressive intensity that has made Talley Vineyards our #1 under-$30 Chardonnay in Wine Access history, the alluring and energetic 2018 Bishop’s Peak Chardonnay delivers it all, marked by talent, prestige, and coastal finesse at a remarkable can’t-miss price: $14—42% off SRP. 

Now into three generations of farming, the Talley family grandfathered San Luis Obispo Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs with intuitive vineyard selection and sustainable agriculture. 

Standing on Talley soil, it’s easy to see what makes it so unique. On our last pitstop in the Central Coast, winemaker Eric Johnson flipped his head out toward the ocean, where the fog was rolling in on a stiff wind. "That maritime influence…" he started. "We're close to Paso, but a world away because of our proximity to the ocean. On a clear day, you can see the water from Rosemary, no problem," referring to one of their top vineyard sites. The Chardonnay grapes respond to the cooling Pacific influence with elegant restraint that is typically only found in Burgundy.

During that visit, Eric teased us with a taste of this 91-point 2018 release, which "finishes long, silky, and precise," according to Vinous. Fermented predominately in stainless steel with just a kiss of neutral oak, the wine's freshness and purity literally gave us chills (or maybe it was the fog). 

We were clamoring to bring it on, but at the time, the release was destined for a cruiseliner and wholly unavailable for our members. When the deal fell through, our close ties to Talley positioned us to negotiate this incredible opportunity for Wine Access members: this wine normally retails for $24. 

The Rincon Vineyard, dubbed a "Grand Cru of California" from Wine Enthusiast, along with the other two vineyards in the release—Monte Sereno and Rosemary’s—are some of the most acclaimed sources for Chardonnay grapes in San Luis Obispo County. Talley, along with some of the other producers that source their grapes, frequently pull in 90+ scores for these single-vineyard Chardonnays, and their prices command it. Just look at Testarossa's Rincon ($51), Challen Rincon ($48), or Talley's own Rosemary’s ($60). For a third of the price, the 2018 Bishop's Peak delivers the cool climate elegance that has become a hallmark for the area's Chardonnays. 

Talley, a visionary and pioneer in the region, planted the first Chardonnay from San Luis Obispo in 1982, which is now as synonymous with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir as Sonoma or Burgundy. In fact, their vineyards in Arroyo Grande and Edna Valley are positioned west of the San Andreas faultline, resulting in a high percentage of marine deposits in the soil, which lend the wines their succulent acidity and freshness. 

2018 shared even more personality with its French winemaking cousin because it was the coolest year since 2010. The long season brought beautifully complex and aromatic grapes lifted by aromas of orange zest and green apple. 

The 2018 Bishop's Peak Chardonnay wraps up the craft and insightful vineyard selection that has made Talley the leader of Central Coast Chardonnay, but at a neat $14 price that you aren’t likely to find elsewhere.