TNs: Talley chard & Folk Machine pinot

WINE TALK
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Talley, Chardonnay, Rincon Vineyard, San Luis Obispo County, 2012
Light lemon color. Taste of not-too-sweet lemon curd, with mint and mineral underpinnings. Medium bodied and light on its feet. Nothing heavy nor overly extracted here. Subtly persistent. Nice balance of citrus fruit, acid and whisper of oak. Fantastic foil for grilled halibut and corn/tomato salad.

One of my favorite producers in California and remarkably consistent year in and year out. The pinots rightly get a lot of attention, but the chardonnays are the sleepers for me. I’m impressed that the flavor profile of Rincon chardonnays can swing from lemon to more orchard in warmer years, but the wines are always bright and balanced and speak of their somewhat-off-the-beaten-path place. Never overwrought nor clinging, these wines benefit from the acidity that comes with a somewhat cooler microclimate. Unshowy, tasty wines that are pure and generous.

Folk Machine, Pinot Noir, Vecino Vineyard, Anderson Valley, Mendocino County, 2013
Light crimson in glass. Intriguing nose of plummy fruit and balsam. Savory flavors, with strawberry/cranberry and dusty notes. Mouthfeel is on semi-tart side with softer, easy-going appeal. A bit overpowered by the roasted wild salmon we had with the wine.

At 12%, this Jon Bonne favorite seems tailor made for the AFWE crowd. While the more succulent aspects of the wine held my attention initially, I actually found myself wanting just a bit more alcohol. I’m not a glycerin guy, but I could use more body and roundness. The flavors are distinctive but I’d like more knitting.

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Thanks for the note on the Talley; not a whole lot of tasting notes here on the wines, although there is one on the 2012 Estate pinot. Talley is one of my favorite producers and I’ve been buying them since the 87 vintage; followed them from almost the very start.

I agree on the Rincon chard; in most years I prefer it to the Rosemary’s and with the pinots it is the other way around. The lemony minerality of the Rincon is what makes it stand out. Normally I don’t post notes on this board, but when I pop a 2012 Rosemary’s chard I will do so.

Per your comments on the pinots…I got involved with Talley for the pinots but now am more of a chard fan. Funny, that’s happened with other wineries, too (Loring, Benovia, Littorai, Landmark, Failla, Peay). That said, I think the Talley wines were better when Steve Rasmussen was in charge. They’ve kind of drifted since then with two winemakers and a consultant, plus Brian Talley. Talley wines are very fairly priced as well.

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The Folk Machine is the Potter Valley one right? I don’t recall there being an Anderson Valley PN from 2013.

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Brian – right you are. The 2013 is from the Potter Valley area of Mendocino, not Anderson Valley. My bad.

James – good to hear from another Talley fan. Agree that the wines have lost just a smidge without Rasmussen but still damn tasty and a lot of bang for the buck.