2013 Turley Wine Cellars Petite Syrah Hayne Vineyard A Petite Sirah Dry Red Table wine from USA, Napa, North Coast, California, USA,

Transcription

1 2013 Turley Wine Cellars Petite Syrah Hayne Vineyard A Petite Sirah Dry Red Table wine from USA, Napa, North Coast, California, USA, Rating: 96+ Drink Not yet bottled, the 2013 Petite Syrah Hayne Vineyard could possibly rival the near-perfection of the 2013 Pesenti Petite Syrah. Blueberry, blackberry, acacia flowers and almost gravelly alluvial notes jump from the glass of this full-bodied, massive, concentrated wine. The tannins are very high, but they are sweet and well-integrated. This should turn out to be a prodigious Petite Syrah to begin drinking in about years and cellar for children and grandchildren over the following or more years. Petite Syrah, if you haven t guessed by now, is the quintessential anti-oxidant among red wines and has almost immortal aging potential. Probably no one in Northern California has done more for the renaissance and resurrection of old vine Zinfandel than Larry Turley. He started Turley Cellars after selling most of his interest in Frog s Leap Winery to his original partner, John Williams. The Turley Cellars project was founded in 1993, and is now over 20 years of age. The great thing about Larry Turley is that he s quick to admit he s never met an old vine he s not fond of. As a result, they farm and buy fruit from 35 different vineyards, with some of them dating back to the late 1800s, long before Prohibition. There are at least 30-plus separate wines, and some super-talented winemakers have worked for Turley first Ehren Jordan and more recently Tegan Passalacqua. I have praised these wines from the beginning and, to my surprise, older vintages of 10 to 15 years much older than I generally recommend drinking Zinfandel have aged remarkably well. While Turley s Petite Syrahs are probably 50-year wines, most of the Zinfandels are best drunk for their exuberant and robust fruit and personality in their first 8-10 years of life Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Cedarman Vineyard Rating: 97+ Drink A Howell Mountain Zinfandel, the 2013 Zinfandel Cedarman Vineyard is a proprietary blend of Zinfandel from both the Rattlesnake Ridge and Dragon Vineyards. A tiny bit of Petite Syrah and Syrah makes it into the final blend. This is profound wine. Inky ruby/purple, with notes of blackcurrants, blackberries and a floral component as well, this full-bodied, stunningly rich, concentrated and

2 structured Zinfandel is loaded. Dense and powerful (15.8% alcohol), the wine will last for or more years. This is a great, great effort in what looks to be an unreal vintage in terms of quality for Turley. With a finish that goes on for a good seconds, this is amazing stuff. Probably no one in Northern California has done more for the renaissance and resurrection of old vine Zinfandel than Larry Turley. He started Turley Cellars after selling most of his interest in Frog s Leap Winery to his original partner, John Williams. The Turley Cellars project was founded in 1993, and is now over 20 years of age. The great thing about Larry Turley is that he s quick to admit he s never met an old vine he s not fond of. As a result, they farm and buy fruit from 35 different vineyards, with some of them dating back to the late 1800s, long before Prohibition. There are at least 30-plus separate wines, and some super-talented older than I generally recommend drinking Zinfandel have aged remarkably well. While Turley s Petite 2013 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Cobb Vineyard A Zinfandel Dry Red Table wine from USA, Amador, Sierra Foothills, California, USA, Rating: 90 Drink A lighter Zinfandel (although by no means should the word wimpy be implied), the 2013 Zinfandel Cobb Vineyard from Amador tips the scales at 15.3% alcohol. This higher elevation vineyard (1500 feet) planted in volcanic and granite soils has produced a more finesse-styled and aromatic Zinfandel. It possesses a touch of austerity, but beautiful, almost Pinot Noir-inspired black cherry and berry fruit. Some minerality again makes an appearance in the wine. Medium to full-bodied, it is very stylish, and for those who want a Zinfandel more reserved and restrained, this is your pick of the Turley portfolio. Drink it over the next 7-8 years. Probably no one in Northern California has done more for the renaissance and resurrection of old vine Zinfandel than Larry Turley. He started Turley Cellars after selling most of his interest in Frog s Leap Winery to his original partner, John Williams. The Turley Cellars project was founded in 1993, and is now over 20 years of age. The great thing about Larry Turley is that he s quick to admit he s never met an old vine he s not fond of. As a result, they farm and buy fruit from 35 different vineyards, with some of them dating back to the late 1800s, long before Prohibition. There are at least 30-plus separate wines, and some super-talented winemakers have worked for Turley first Ehren Jordan and more recently Tegan Passalacqua. I have praised these wines from the beginning and, to my surprise, older vintages of 10 to 15 years much older than I generally recommend drinking Zinfandel have aged remarkably well. While Turley s Petite Syrahs are probably 50-year wines, most of the Zinfandels are best drunk for their exuberant and robust fruit and personality in their first 8-10 years of life Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Dogtown Vineyard A Zinfandel Dry Red Table wine from USA, Lodi, Central Valley, California, USA, Rating: 95 Drink Cost: $80

3 Blackberry and blackcurrant fruit, slightly lower acidity, and a big, fleshy, full-bodied, multi-layered mouthfeel characterize the 2013 Zinfandel Dogtown Vineyard from Lodi. This vineyard was planted in 1944 on rolling hills largely composed of volcanic soils and come clay. The 2013 is a terrific example of Dogtown and stands out as one of the great successes Larry Turley and his winemaking team have had in this vineyard they have farmed for so long. The alcohol is heady (15.9%), but again, it throws the myth of excessive alcohol under the bus. The wine has no heat, heaviness or cloying character whatsoever. Beautifully textured, full-bodied, opulent, and one of the sexiest of a fabulous portfolio of seductive wines, this is a knockout example to drink over the next 5-7 years. In fact, I would go so far as to say this might be one of the all-time greatest Zinfandels ever produced in Lodi, but it is not without some heady competition. Probably no one in Northern California has done more for the renaissance and resurrection of old vine Zinfandel than Larry Turley. He started Turley Cellars after selling most of his interest in Frog s Leap Winery to his original partner, John Williams. The Turley Cellars project was founded in 1993, and is now over 20 years of age. The great thing about Larry Turley is that he s quick to admit he s never met an old vine he s not fond of. As a result, they farm and buy fruit from 35 different vineyards, with some of them dating back to the late 1800s, long before Prohibition. There are at least 30-plus separate wines, and some super-talented winemakers have worked for Turley first Ehren Jordan and more recently Tegan Passalacqua. I have praised these wines from the beginning and, to my surprise, older vintages of 10 to 15 years much older than I generally recommend drinking Zinfandel have aged remarkably well. While Turley s Petite Syrahs are probably 50-year wines, most of the Zinfandels are best drunk for their exuberant and robust fruit and personality in their first 8-10 years of life Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Dragon Rating: 97 Cost: $50-$70 Larry Turley has produced three 2013 Zinfandels from the Howell Mountain AVA, which he was one of the first to exploit in terms of Zinfandel. Nearly 25 years later, he continues making some of the finest wines this ancient grape can produce. The 2013 Zinfandel Dragon Vineyard from Howell Mountain originates from one of the highest elevation sites in the Turley portfolio. Estate-owned, this vineyard (at 2400 feet, well above the fog line and east-facing as well) is planted in volcanic and rocky soils. It has always produced one of the killer Zinfandels, and the 2013 (15.3% alcohol) is no exception. It has a saturated dense ruby/purple color, a seamless integration of acidity, tannin and alcohol, stunning boysenberry, blueberry, and black raspberry fruit, and great complexity for a Zinfandel. Full-bodied, with a stunningly proportioned texture, terrific purity and palate presence, at the same time its acidity gives it a zestiness and an ethereal quality. This is a stunner and a Zinfandel that s drinkable now, but also capable of evolving for up to a decade or more. Probably no one in Northern California has done more for the renaissance and resurrection of old vine Zinfandel than Larry Turley. He started Turley Cellars after selling most of his interest in Frog s Leap Winery to his original partner, John Williams. The Turley Cellars project was founded in 1993, and is now over 20 years of age. The great thing about Larry Turley is that he s quick to admit he s never met an old vine he s not fond of. As a result, they farm and buy fruit from 35 different vineyards, with some of them dating back to the late 1800s, long before Prohibition. There are at least 30-plus separate wines, and some super-talented winemakers have worked for Turley first Ehren Jordan and more recently Tegan Passalacqua. I have praised these wines from the beginning and, to my surprise, older vintages of 10 to 15 years much older than I generally recommend drinking Zinfandel have aged remarkably well. While Turley s Petite Syrahs are probably 50-year wines, most of the Zinfandels are best drunk for their exuberant and robust fruit and personality in their first 8-10 years of life.

4 2013 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Duarte Vineyard A Zinfandel Dry Red Table wine from USA, Contra Costa, Central Coast, California, USA, Rating: 89 Drink Cost: $37-$60 It represents the more feminine side of Lodi, particularly when compared to the blockbuster Dogtown. I often comment on different terroirs, and certainly the influences of beach-like, sandy soils are present in the 2013 Zinfandel Duarte Vineyard from Contra Costa County. Coming in at 15.2% alcohol, the wine is black and dark red-fruited, with plenty of pepper, spice and loads of round, opulent, silky characteristics. This particular offering didn t offer the incredible finish that most of these 2013s seem to possess. It is medium-bodied, elegant and best drunk over the next 4-5 years. Probably no one in Northern California has done more for the renaissance and resurrection of old vine Zinfandel than Larry Turley. He started Turley Cellars after selling most of his interest in Frog s Leap Winery to his original partner, John Williams. The Turley Cellars project was founded in 1993, and is now over 20 years of age. The great thing about Larry Turley is that he s quick to admit he s never met an old vine he s not fond of. As a result, they farm and buy fruit from 35 different vineyards, with some of them dating back to the late 1800s, long before Prohibition. There are at least 30-plus separate wines, and some supertalented winemakers have worked for Turley first Ehren Jordan and more recently Tegan Passalacqua. I have praised these wines from the beginning and, to my surprise, older vintages of 10 to 15 years much older than I generally recommend drinking Zinfandel have aged remarkably well. While Turley s Petite Syrahs are probably 50-year wines, most of the Zinfandels are best drunk for their exuberant and 2013 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Dusi Vineyard A Zinfandel Dry Red Table wine from USA, San Luis Obispo, Central Coast, California, USA, Rating: 89 Drink Cost: $70 The 2013 Zinfandel Dusi Vineyard comes from a dry-farmed site planted in 1945 in the alluvial, rocky soils on the west side of Paso Robles. This 2013 is less complex than the Ueberroth, nor is it as multidimensional and concentrated, but it offers a gutsy, lusty mouthful of wine. It comes across as more straightforward than its nearby neighbors. Tipping the scales at 15.7% alcohol, the wine has good acidity, no heat, and a heady finish. Drink it over the next 5-6 years. Probably no one in Northern California has done more for the renaissance and resurrection of old vine Zinfandel than Larry Turley. He started Turley Cellars after selling most of his interest in Frog s Leap Winery to his original partner, John Williams. The Turley Cellars project was founded in 1993, and is now over 20 years of age. The great thing about Larry Turley is that he s quick to admit he s never met an old vine he s not fond of. As a result, they farm and buy fruit from 35 different vineyards, with some of them dating back to the late 1800s, long before Prohibition. There are at least 30-plus separate wines, and some super-talented older than I generally recommend drinking Zinfandel have aged remarkably well. While Turley s Petite

5 2013 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Fredericks Vineyard A Zinfandel Dry Red Table wine from USA, Sonoma, North Coast, California, USA, Rating: 94+ The organic vineyard in Sonoma owned by Dick Fredericks (planted in 1937) has produced the 2013 Zinfandel Fredericks Vineyard (16.1% alcohol). Deep purple, full-bodied, with great freshness and precision, the old vines have produced gorgeously pure fruit, plenty of blackberry, black cherry and currant notes, and a zesty mouthfeel. There s no sense of heaviness or weight to this rich, concentrated Zinfandel from a vineyard at an elevation of approximately 900 feet. The balance between acid, fruit and tannin is impressive. Drink it over the next 8-10 years. Probably no one in Northern California has done more for the renaissance and resurrection of old vine Zinfandel than Larry Turley. He started Turley Cellars after selling most of his interest in Frog s Leap Winery to his original partner, John Williams. The Turley Cellars project was founded in 1993, and is now over 20 years of age. The great thing about Larry Turley is that he s quick to admit he s never met an old vine he s not fond of. As a result, they farm and buy fruit from 35 different vineyards, with some of them dating back to the late 1800s, long before Prohibition. There are at least 30-plus separate wines, and some supertalented winemakers have worked for Turley first Ehren Jordan and more recently Tegan Passalacqua. I have praised these wines from the beginning and, to my surprise, older vintages of 10 to 15 years much older than I generally recommend drinking Zinfandel have aged remarkably well. While Turley s Petite Syrahs are probably 50-year wines, most of the Zinfandels are best drunk for their exuberant and 2013 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Hayne Vineyard Rating: (93-95+) Drink Not yet in bottle is the 2013 Zinfandel Hayne Vineyard. Often a candidate for the top Zinfandel in any vintage (along with the Jackass Hill of Martinelli, a handful of Zinfandels from Carlisle, and more recently Bedrock and Limerick Lane), this wine from a vineyard on the west side of St. Helena tucked under the Mayacamas Mountains has been a staple of Turley s brilliant winemaking for many, many years. These head-pruned, dry-farmed vines were planted in 1902 and 1903, and the wine seems to be a perfect messenger for them, providing power and elegance, no matter what the vintage seems to offer. No doubt the root systems go down so deep that the vintage differences are often negated by this extraordinary terroir. The 2013 has a dense ruby/plum color and is full-bodied and rich, with brambleberry, blackberry, black cherry fruit and a full-bodied mouthfeel, but (possibly because it is still a barrel sample) not showing the nuances that the bottled 2013s possess. It s all there, and this wine seems loaded, but I suspect my comments and score are conservative based on what will ultimately turn out in bottle. Probably no one in Northern California has done more for the renaissance and resurrection of old vine Zinfandel than Larry Turley. He started Turley Cellars after selling most of his interest in Frog s Leap Winery to his original partner, John Williams. The Turley Cellars project was founded in 1993, and is now over 20 years of age. The great thing about Larry Turley is that he s quick

6 to admit he s never met an old vine he s not fond of. As a result, they farm and buy fruit from 35 different vineyards, with some of them dating back to the late 1800s, long before Prohibition. There are at least 30-plus separate wines, and some super-talented winemakers have worked for Turley first Ehren Jordan and more recently Tegan Passalacqua. I have praised these wines from the beginning and, to my surprise, older vintages of 10 to 15 years much older than I generally recommend drinking Zinfandel have aged remarkably well. While Turley s Petite Syrahs are probably 50-year wines, most of the Zinfandels are best drunk for their exuberant and robust fruit and personality in their first 8-10 years of life Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Judge Bell Vineyard A Zinfandel Dry Red Table wine from USA, Amador, Sierra Foothills, California, USA, Rating: 94 The 2013 Zinfandel Judge Bell comes from a block of vines planted in 1907 known as Picnic Hill Block in the Story Vineyard. These are classic head-pruned, dry-farmed, ungrafted vines planted eight years before the beginning of World War I. One of the best Amador Zinfandels I ve ever tasted, this wine displays plenty of briary raspberry, black and red cherry as well as boysenberry fruit, good underlying structure, some earth, pepper, meat and spice. It is full-bodied, rich, heady, and somehow manages to brilliantly conceal a whopping 16.2% natural alcohol. Of course, a wine like this would be excoriated by the in pursuit of balance crowd, but this is what balance is all about what looks to be a mindnumbing amount of alcohol is incredibly well-concealed. This wine should drink well for 8-10 years. Probably no one in Northern California has done more for the renaissance and resurrection of old vine Zinfandel than Larry Turley. He started Turley Cellars after selling most of his interest in Frog s Leap Winery to his original partner, John Williams. The Turley Cellars project was founded in 1993, and is now over 20 years of age. The great thing about Larry Turley is that he s quick to admit he s never met an old vine he s not fond of. As a result, they farm and buy fruit from 35 different vineyards, with some of them dating back to the late 1800s, long before Prohibition. There are at least 30-plus separate wines, and some super-talented winemakers have worked for Turley first Ehren Jordan and more recently Tegan Passalacqua. I have praised these wines from the beginning and, to my surprise, older vintages of 10 to 15 years much older than I generally recommend drinking Zinfandel have aged remarkably well. While Turley s Petite Syrahs are probably 50-year wines, most of the Zinfandels are best drunk for their exuberant and 2013 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Juvenile A Zinfandel Dry Red Table wine from USA,,, California, USA, Rating: 94 Drink Cost: $24-$50 A killer Zinfandel, the 2013 Zinfandel Juvenile is a blend from younger vines replanted on old-vine sites. For the statisticians, this wine is made from Zinfandel vines ranging from six to 25 years of age across 15 different vineyards, including such hallowed Zin terroir as Hayne, Ueberroth, Pesenti, Salvador, and Vineyard 101. This is a stunning example that shouldn t be discounted just because it is

7 not a single-vineyard wine. Deep ruby/purple, with oodles of black cherry, raspberry and blackcurrant fruit as well as some pepper and spice, the wine is plump, full-bodied, sexy and delicious. Sporting 15.5% natural alcohol, this is a lusty, extroverted Zinfandel that has been brilliantly put together by the Turley winemaking crew. Drink it over the next 4-5 years. Probably no one in Northern California has done more for the renaissance and resurrection of old vine Zinfandel than Larry Turley. He started Turley Cellars after selling most of his interest in Frog s Leap Winery to his original partner, John Williams. The Turley Cellars project was founded in 1993, and is now over 20 years of age. The great thing about Larry Turley is that he s quick to admit he s never met an old vine he s not fond of. As a result, they farm and buy fruit from 35 different vineyards, with some of them dating back to the late 1800s, long before Prohibition. There are at least 30-plus separate wines, and some super-talented older than I generally recommend drinking Zinfandel have aged remarkably well. While Turley s Petite 2013 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Kirschenmann A Zinfandel Dry Red Table wine from USA, Lodi, Central Valley, California, USA, Rating: 92 Drink Winemaker Tegan Passalacqua s family owns the Kirschenmann Vineyard in Lodi, and the 2013 Zinfandel Kirschenmann Vineyard (15.2% alcohol) is yet another Turley offering that wants to transport the taster to the Southern Rhône Valley of France. Yet it is more than the powers of suggestion that the aromas of raspberry, kirsch liqueur, earth, spice and pepper are all present in this wine, made from head-pruned, ungrafted vines. This is a juicy, up-front, full-bodied yet elegant Zinfandel to drink over the next 5-6 years. Probably no one in Northern California has done more for the renaissance and resurrection of old vine Zinfandel than Larry Turley. He started Turley Cellars after selling most of his interest in Frog s Leap Winery to his original partner, John Williams. The Turley Cellars project was founded in 1993, and is now over 20 years of age. The great thing about Larry Turley is that he s quick to admit he s never met an old vine he s not fond of. As a result, they farm and buy fruit from 35 different vineyards, with some of them dating back to the late 1800s, long before Prohibition. There are at least 30-plus separate wines, and some super-talented winemakers have worked for Turley first Ehren Jordan and more recently Tegan Passalacqua. I have praised these wines from the beginning and, to my surprise, older vintages of 10 to 15 years much older than I generally recommend drinking Zinfandel have aged remarkably well. While Turley s Petite Syrahs are probably 50-year wines, most of the Zinfandels are best drunk for their exuberant and robust fruit and personality in their first 8-10 years of life Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Mead Ranch Atlas Peak Rating: 96 Drink

8 From a high-elevation vineyard in Atlas Peak, the 2013 Zinfandel Mead Ranch (16.1% alcohol) has its origins at a site planted in 1880, although Larry Turley s block dates only from The vines are head-pruned and the soils purely volcanic. One the profound Zinfandels from Turley in 2013, this wine is locked-and-loaded, so to speak powerful, packed, rich, and full-bodied, with blackberry, blueberry, black raspberry and cherry fruit in abundance. It is obviously full-bodied, thick, even unctuously textured, while it seems to have slightly less acidity than some of the other cuvées or at least, that s how it presents itself. This is a stunner to drink over the next years. It is a great Zinfandel and one of the most sumptuous and exotic in the portfolio. Probably no one in Northern California has done more for the renaissance and resurrection of old vine Zinfandel than Larry Turley. He started Turley Cellars after selling most of his interest in Frog s Leap Winery to his original partner, John Williams. The Turley Cellars project was founded in 1993, and is now over 20 years of age. The great thing about Larry Turley is that he s quick to admit he s never met an old vine he s not fond of. As a result, they farm and buy fruit from 35 different vineyards, with some of them dating back to the late 1800s, long before Prohibition. There are at least 30-plus separate wines, and some super-talented older than I generally recommend drinking Zinfandel have aged remarkably well. While Turley s Petite 2013 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Old Vines A Zinfandel Dry Red Table wine from USA,,, California, USA, Rating: 88 Drink The 2013 Zinfandel Old Vines (15.5%) comes from tiny parcels too small to be bottled separately or relatively newer sites for Larry Turley that needs to be monitored before they re given separate vineyard designations. The 2013, which is essentially a multi-appellation blend from vines as young as 18 and as old as 80, comes from sites sprinkled over the entire Central and North Coast of California Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, Lodi, Contra Costa, Amador, and Paso Robles. Dense ruby in color, with plenty of briary berry fruit, some earth, pepper and spice, and good acidity balancing out its power, it is fresh, pure, and not showing much oak. (Only about 20-35% new French oak is used in most of the cuvées.) This wine is already delicious, and should age nicely for another 5-8 years, possibly longer. Probably no one in Northern California has done more for the renaissance and resurrection of old vine Zinfandel than Larry Turley. He started Turley Cellars after selling most of his interest in Frog s Leap Winery to his original partner, John Williams. The Turley Cellars project was founded in 1993, and is now over 20 years of age. The great thing about Larry Turley is that he s quick to admit he s never met an old vine he s not fond of. As a result, they farm and buy fruit from 35 different vineyards, with some of them dating back to the late 1800s, long before Prohibition. There are at least 30-plus separate wines, and some super-talented winemakers have worked for Turley first Ehren Jordan and more recently Tegan Passalacqua. I have praised these wines from the beginning and, to my surprise, older vintages of 10 to 15 years much older than I generally recommend drinking Zinfandel have aged remarkably well. While Turley s Petite Syrahs are probably 50-year wines, most of the Zinfandels are best drunk for their exuberant and 2013 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Pesenti Vineyard A Zinfandel Dry Red Table wine from USA, San Luis Obispo, Central Coast, California, USA,

9 Rating: 94 From the estate, the 2013 Zinfandel Pesenti Vineyard (15.9%) comes from vines planted in the 1920s on primarily limestone soil. This wine smells like an exploding black cherry fruit bomb. Gorgeous notes of kirsch liqueur and raspberries, an almost laser-like minerality and crispness are present in this fullbodied, beautiful wine, which seems remarkably light on its feet for its power and richness. Blindtasted, this wine could easily pass for an old vine Grenache from a Mediterranean climate it s that Grenache-like. This full-bodied, stunningly pure beauty is another great success for Turley in Drink it over the next decade. Probably no one in Northern California has done more for the renaissance and resurrection of old vine Zinfandel than Larry Turley. He started Turley Cellars after selling most of his interest in Frog s Leap Winery to his original partner, John Williams. The Turley Cellars project was founded in 1993, and is now over 20 years of age. The great thing about Larry Turley is that he s quick to admit he s never met an old vine he s not fond of. As a result, they farm and buy fruit from 35 different vineyards, with some of them dating back to the late 1800s, long before Prohibition. There are at least 30-plus separate wines, and some super-talented winemakers have worked for Turley first Ehren Jordan and more recently Tegan Passalacqua. I have praised these wines from the beginning and, to my surprise, older vintages of 10 to 15 years much older than I generally recommend drinking Zinfandel have aged remarkably well. While Turley s Petite Syrahs are probably 50-year wines, most of the Zinfandels are best drunk for their exuberant and robust fruit and personality in their first 8-10 years of life Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Rattlesnake Ridge Rating: 98+ Drink Cost: $45-$65 A Howell Mountain Zinfandel that many afficionados of Turley Zinfandels know so well is the 2013 Zinfandel Rattlesnake Ridge. From an organic vineyard at the very top of Howell Mountain, I think this may well be the highest elevation vineyard that Larry Turley farms (2600 feet). Because of that elevation, this is a relatively cool site, but well above the fog line and certainly the recipient of intense sunlight. One of the greatest Zinfandels I ve ever tasted from Larry Turley, this wine (15.7% alcohol) offers super-concentrated blueberry, black raspberry and blackberry fruit, some floral notes, an underlying firm structure, but lavish (if not luxurious) fruit, texture and a full-bodied mouthfeel. The finish goes on for a good 45+ seconds. This is an absolute tour de force in winemaking and a great example of what this winery which changed the face of and consumer s reaction to Zinfandel has achieved for nearly 25 years. This wine should drink well for years, but I wouldn t be surprised to see bottles still strutting their stuff years from now. Probably no one in Northern California has done more for the renaissance and resurrection of old vine Zinfandel than Larry Turley. He started Turley Cellars after selling most of his interest in Frog s Leap Winery to his original partner, John Williams. The Turley Cellars project was founded in 1993, and is now over 20 years of age. The great thing about Larry Turley is that he s quick to admit he s never met an old vine he s not fond of. As a result, they farm and buy fruit from 35 different vineyards, with some of them dating back to the late 1800s, long before Prohibition. There are at least 30-plus separate wines, and some super-talented

10 older than I generally recommend drinking Zinfandel have aged remarkably well. While Turley s Petite 2013 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Turley Estate Rating: 95 Anyone who has visited Turley Cellars knows that the winery is right off Route 29, just north of St. Helena, seven miles south of Calistoga. The vineyard in their backyard produced the 2013 Zinfandel Turley Estate (15.7%). A young-vine, dry-farmed Zinfandel from head-pruned, organic vines planted in 2006, this is another Châteauneuf du Pape look-alike. Peppery, roasted meat, blackcurrant, black cherry and garrigue smells dominate this wine, which has a distinctive Mediterranean personality even though the closest body of water is Lake Hennessy, and the Pacific Ocean is a drive two to three hours west. Rich, full-bodied, and clearly one of the great Estate Zinfandels Larry Turley has made to date, this is beauty to drink now or to cellar and drink over the following decade. It s a stunner multidimensional, complex and do I dare use the word? delicious. Probably no one in Northern California has done more for the renaissance and resurrection of old vine Zinfandel than Larry Turley. He started Turley Cellars after selling most of his interest in Frog s Leap Winery to his original partner, John Williams. The Turley Cellars project was founded in 1993, and is now over 20 years of age. The great thing about Larry Turley is that he s quick to admit he s never met an old vine he s not fond of. As a result, they farm and buy fruit from 35 different vineyards, with some of them dating back to the late 1800s, long before Prohibition. There are at least 30-plus separate wines, and some super-talented older than I generally recommend drinking Zinfandel have aged remarkably well. While Turley s Petite 2013 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Ueberroth Vineyard A Zinfandel Dry Red Table wine from USA, San Luis Obispo, Central Coast, California, USA, Rating: 95 Consistently spectacular in the capable, meticulous winemaking hands at Turley Cellars, the 2013 Zinfandel Ueberroth Vineyard comes from one of the oldest Zinfandel vineyards in California (planted in 1885). The ungrafted, head-trained vines from steep limestone slopes just down the road from Justin Smith s Saxum Winery have produced a monster and a fascinating Zinfandel in Coming in at 15.8% alcohol, the wine displays deep black raspberry and black cherry fruit, hints of crushed rock, and fresh acidity that is no doubt attributable to the ph of the limestone soils. The wine, in spite of its relatively lofty alcohol, comes across as remarkably elegant, concentrated, and stunningly proportioned. This full-bodied tour de force in Zinfandel winemaking should drink well for a decade or

11 more. Probably no one in Northern California has done more for the renaissance and resurrection of old vine Zinfandel than Larry Turley. He started Turley Cellars after selling most of his interest in Frog s Leap Winery to his original partner, John Williams. The Turley Cellars project was founded in 1993, and is now over 20 years of age. The great thing about Larry Turley is that he s quick to admit he s never met an old vine he s not fond of. As a result, they farm and buy fruit from 35 different vineyards, with some of them dating back to the late 1800s, long before Prohibition. There are at least 30-plus separate wines, and some super-talented winemakers have worked for Turley first Ehren Jordan and more recently Tegan Passalacqua. I have praised these wines from the beginning and, to my surprise, older vintages of 10 to 15 years much older than I generally recommend drinking Zinfandel have aged remarkably well. While Turley s Petite Syrahs are probably 50-year wines, most of the Zinfandels are best drunk for their exuberant and