2016 Bishop's Peak San Luis Obispo Pinot Noir

Professional Reviews

Staff Reviews

RW

Ryan Woodhouse

Ryan Woodhouse

K&L Buyer

Compelling Pinot Noir is almost never under $20. Talley's "Bishop's Peak" Pinot is one of those rare wines that delivers an authentic, complex, layered, expression of the variety that barely puts a dent in your pocket book! The Bishop's Peak wines have long been staples for us here at K&L; we've promoted them as "Staff Picks" for many many years, and if you shop in one of our stores I'm sure you've had them recommended to you. We'll for good or bad these wines have recently been attracting the attention of the wine critics...This 2016 release was just given 93 points from James Suckling to go with an existing 91 points from Vinous Media. These types of scores are simply unheard of for a wine of this price point and truly reflect the way this wine over delivers in quality and pedigree. We purchased every case we could of this delicious wine so what we have in stock is the last of this vintage...get it while you can. Cheers!

JM

John Majeski

John Majeski

For over thirty years, Talley Vineyards has exemplified the finest in Central Coastal Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and in 2016 they exceeded their reputation. Produced from both purchased and estate fruit, the Bishop's Peak Pinot Noir is a second wine in name only, with expressive cherry and tea leaf aromas followed by polished notes of strawberry and pomegranate, framed by sedate tannins and a silky finish. The perfect, welcoming everyday Pinot that will enhance both holiday parties and festive meals.

Notes

This wine is fermented with native yeast in open top fermenters and sees 10 months of aging in French oak (28% new) before being bottled before the next harvest in an effort to retain freshness. From the winery: "The 2016 growing season was one of the very best in the 30 year history of Talley Vineyards. After four years of severe drought, El Niño conditions brought the most rainfall to the region since 2011. After a cool and windy spring, temperatures throughout the season were moderate, especially during the critical summer months when veraison and ripening occurred. The absence of severe heat for any extended period during the harvest season meant that the grapes were harvested at a moderate pace at optimal ripeness. Yields in the vineyard were consistent with five year averages and the resulting wines reflect the concentration, balance and elegance that is the hallmark of the confluence of a perfect growing season and a wine growing approach committed to capturing all the potential of Coastal San Luis Obispo County."