Talley Vineyards Estate Oliver's Chardonnay 2023
(Edna Valley, Central Coast, California) - [DM 96] [VM 95] [WA 94]

About the Winery:
Talley Vineyards is located in the San Luis Obispo Coast American Viticultural Area (AVA) which is recognized as the coolest AVA in the state of California due to its direct proximity to the cold Pacific Ocean.  Within the San Luis Obispo Coast, there are two smaller AVAs, the Arroyo Grande Valley and the Edna Valley, and the winery owns vineyards and farms in both valleys.  The cool climate of the area, coupled with calcareous clay and shaly loam soils, makes it ideally suited to grow Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Talley Vineyards’ specialties.

The story of Talley Vineyards began when Brian Talley's grandfather, Oliver Talley, began growing specialty vegetables in the Arroyo Grande Valley in 1948. In 1982, his son Don Talley, planted wine grapes on a rolling hillside parcel unsuitable for vegetable farming. Four years later, in 1986, he and his wife Rosemary founded Talley Vineyards.

About the Wine:
Oliver’s Vineyard was established in 1991, marking Talley Vineyards' first planting in the Edna Valley AVA. The vineyard was named in honor of Oliver Talley, founder of Talley Farms, a fitting tribute to the family’s agricultural legacy. When presented with the first bottle of Oliver’s Vineyard Chardonnay, Oliver took immense pride in the wine that bore his name—so much so that he framed the label and hung it above his bar. Oliver Talley was a Reisling lover, that is until the day his grandson, Brian presented him with a bottle of Oliver’s Chardonnay from the first Chardonnay plantings in Oliver’s Vineyard. From that day, filled with pride, the Chardonnay made in his name would be his favorite. Though initially hesitant about entering the wine business, by the time of his passing in 1999, he had fully embraced Talley Vineyards, even taking credit for the idea himself.

Oliver wasn’t the only one whose head has been turned by this stunning Chardonnay - this wine is a crowd favorite and can often be found on Wine Enthusiasts’ Top 100 Wines list. Hailing from the sandy clay loam soils of the Edna Valley, our 2023 Oliver’s Chardonnay has signature hints of green apple and sea salt with a supple and complex finish. With flavors of melon and marscapone, this wine is soon to be your new favorite too.

Tasting Notes:
Aromas of jasmine and green apple lead to flavors of melon, marscapone, orange juice and flint. The finish is supple and a hint toasty.

Winemakers Notes

• Alcohol Percentage: 13.5
• Acid: 6.6
• Ph: 3.43
• Bottling Date: January 2025
• Vineyards: Oliver's Vineyard, sandy clay loam soils
  

Vinification: Oliver's Chardonnay is barrel fermented with native yeast, then aged 14 months, sur lie in 23% new French oak barriques and puncheon barrels.

Ratings & Reviews

96 Points - Decanter Magazine:
"A wine of staggering grace from the San Luis Obispo Coast, Oliver's Chardonnay is named for a Riesling lover and a Chardonnay sceptic. Beautifully textured from 14 months sur lie in 23% new French oak. A serious barrel influence grounds this marine saline freshness—aromas of clover honey, acacia wood and vanilla bean frame, ripe peach and apricot. The palate shows such graceful depth, ripe pomme fruits, almond pastry cream and a succulent note of lemon meringue. It balances beautifully elegance and depth." - Clive Pursehouse (Mar 2025)

95 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2023 Chardonnay Oliver's Vineyard has a powerful nose of toasted spices and yellow orchard fruit. Pure and focused, it's a wine of excellent balance and textural intrigue. Laden with powerful minerality, the 2023 boasts exceptional depth and nuance. Bright saline acids drive the finish. The Oliver's is slightly lighter in body and steelier in character than its 15-month élevage in 30% new wood would lead you to expect, but it's a style that very much works here—almost Chablis-like." - Billy Norris (Aug 2025)

94 Points - Wine Advocate:
"The 2023 Chardonnay Oliver's Vineyard derives from vines planted in 1991 and 2007 on calcareous soils with clay and diatomaceous content. It leads with one of the more exuberant bouquets of the Talley Chardonnays, wafting with tropical fruit, baking spice and jasmine aromas, with a touch of citrus-driven lift. The palate follows with a remarkably slender, focused texture before concluding with a similarly vibrant, airy finish that slowly unfolds with grounded, textural depth. It's a beautiful, balanced example of the region that should develop nicely over the coming decade." - Matthew Luczy (Dec 2025)