Tasting Notes
2016 vintage — spring release
A note on our winemaking:
All of our vineyards are either certified organic by California Certified Organic Farmers or somewhere in the process, and we use all natural yeasts in the fermentations. The below single vineyard designate wines are aged in 80% used oak barriques, of which 80% are French (the rest American) and bottled after 15-18 months in barrel.
2017 Turley “Estate” Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley
Though a recent addition to the Turley family, Sauvignon Blanc was one of the first wines ever made from the Turley Estate in 1993. Those vines have since been replaced by Zinfandel, but we have replanted a small section of the estate to dry-farmed, head-trained Sauvignon Blanc from heritage Napa Valley budwood once again. Get while the getting’s good though—Larry is hoarding as much as possible for himself, and sharpening his oyster shucker as we speak!
Pale straw in color with a brilliant sheen, the 2017 Estate Sauvignon Blanc is a classic example of the joys of a minerality-driven white wine. Fresh, bright, with well-honed aromas of lemon zest, stone fruits, and crushed white rocks, all of which are echoed on the elegant palate. Since this is a young wine, we recommend allowing the bottles a moment to catch their breath (at least a few weeks?) before you open them up!
2016 Turley “Bedrock Vineyard” Zinfandel, Sonoma Valley
Hailing from 1888 and owned by Joel and Morgan Peterson of Ravenswood and Bedrock Wine Co., respectively, the Bedrock Vineyard is truly an iconic site. Right in the heart of Sonoma Valley, these ancient vines are planted amidst volcanic rocks and Los Robles cobbly loam soil that has sloughed down from Monte Rosso. This is a layered, complex wine, owing perhaps to the small amounts of Petite Syrah and Alicante Bouschet that are also found in our organically-farmed block of Bedrock.
The 2016 Bedrock is a shining illustration of a stylish Sonoma Zinfandel, complete with characteristic dark blue fruits, freshly-turned wet earth, and graphite. If you’re a fan of the Fredericks Zinfandel from the fall release, then you will most certainly enjoy the Bedrock. On Sonoma Volcanic soil, Bedrock was one of the first vineyards ever to be planted on rootstock. With a hefty yet refined texture and medium to medium-plus well-rounded tannins, we recommend laying down or decanting to get the most out of this wine.
2016 Turley “Buck Cobb Vineyard” Zinfandel, Amador County
Planted at 1500 feet on the volcanic, granitic hillside near our new property in Amador, the Cobb Vineyard Zinfandel is an homage to “Buck” Cobb from whom we purchased the vineyard and the Karly property in Amador. We even added a little bi-plane symbol to the label to commemorate Buck’s time as an aerobatic pilot! The rocky conditions and more extreme weather (including snow) in this dry-farmed vineyard make for a hearty, robust Zinfandel.
This most recent iteration of the ‘Buck’ Cobb vineyard is a beautiful example of how well an Amador vineyard can evolve with the right farming techniques, attention, and care. The nose is richly enticing, with notes of dark fruits, cola, and a soft, savory smokiness as well. The palate shows some extra oomph, thanks to the structured fine-grained granitic tannins and a pleasant weightiness. We recommend decanting.
2016 Turley “Casa Nuestra” Red Wine, Napa Valley
We are thrilled to present the inaugural vintage of this wine under the Turley label. Connoisseurs of Napa Valley field blends will likely recognize the vineyard, made primarily under the eponymous label and farmed organically since 1979. For the formerly uninitiated, Casa Nuestra is nearly adjacent to the Turley Estate property in Napa Valley, just across the nearby Napa River. The vineyard is planted to a Mediterranean mix of Petite Syrah, Zinfandel, Alicante, Carignane, Napa Gamay, Negrette, Mourvedre, and Refosco, with a bit of Chenin Blanc for good measure.
This wine is, quite simply, delicious. Delicate layered aromatics of myriad fruits, red to blue to black, freshly roasted coffee, and wild game. Dense yet nimble, well-structured tannins and delectably textured, with signature Napa polish. Devotees of the Library Vineyard will find great pleasure in the Casa Nuestra; after all, it’s wines like these that originally put Napa on the map and kept it there. Great straight out of the gate and likely even better with time; a complete package of a wine.
2016 Turley “Dragon Vineyard” Zinfandel, Howell Mountain
Dragon Vineyard is an estate, certified organic vineyard. Planted at 2400 feet at one of the highest points on Howell Mountain, the vineyard sits well above the fog line and faces east. These important features, along with the rocky, red volcanic soil, make for a unique, full-bodied and powerful Zinfandel that is always Larry’s favorite since it goes with what he likes to cook: bold, flavorful, spice-laden meats on an open fire.
The 2016 Dragon exhibits the very best of what we’ve come to expect from this blue-blooded vineyard on Howell Mountain: tons of spice, ripe purple fruits, violet flowers, and the bracing scent of the forest after a rain. Where the Rattlesnake vines are more exposed to the sun at the top of the slope, Dragon is shielded from this harsh afternoon heat, and the resulting wine is more perfumed and velvety in texture. Though still a typical mountain wine, it’s distinctively more refined, as the softer sunlight allows the fruit’s delicacy to remain intact. Gratifying now with a quick decant.
2016 Turley “Duarte” Zinfandel, Contra Costa County
This wine is an homage to Joe Duarte, a prominent grape grower in Contra Costa who first introduced Turley to the incredible vineyards of the area. The wine is comprised of fruit from the turn-of-the-century Evangehlo, Mori and Salvador vineyards, planted between 1890 and 1930, as well as the Del Barba vineyard, planted in the 1960s. As a result of the sandy soils and impressive age of the vines, the wine has some of the softest, silkiest tannins we’ve ever seen in a Zinfandel.
Perhaps the heartiest, richest Duarte to date; if you’ve never tried this stellar wine before, now’s your chance. Smoked dark fruits, purple flowers and cracked black pepper on the nose lend the wine an air of old-world elegance, reminiscent of the “roasted slopes” of Côte-Rôtie in the northern Rhône. The palate veers more towards blue & black fruits with the distinctively racy acidity and silky tannins that can only come from these ancient, sandy soils. Can drink now or hold based on your personal preference.
2016 Turley “Dusi Vineyard” Zinfandel, Paso Robles
The Dusi vineyard was planted by Dante Dusi in 1945 and it is farmed by his family to this day. The vines are head-trained and dry-farmed, planted in soil that is mostly alluvial with some very large rocks. Like our other vineyards in the area, Dusi is on the west side of Paso Robles.
As always, the Dusi provides immensely appealing fruit right off the bat! The fruit profile is classic Paso: dark purple, blue, and black, with notes of spicy Mexican dark chocolate as well. A bit more chutzpah than years previous, with a long, gravelly finish and just a touch of salt air. Feel free to crack it & attack it, as it’s good to go!
2016 Turley “Juvenile” Zinfandel, California
Though the vast majority of our wines are single vineyard designates, Juvenile is actually composed of a variety of young vines that have been replanted in several of our old vine sites. We tag the younger vines then pick them separately and make a distinct wine. The vines that make up Juvenile range in age from about 6-25 years, and we pull from a selection of our best vineyards across California, including Hayne, Pesenti, Salvador, Vineyard 101, Fredericks and Kirschenmann.
Hailing from 24 vineyards in 12 different counties across our beautiful Golden State, the Turley Juvenile sets the standard for classic California Zinfandel. In 2016, we see the first touch of relief from the drought, evident in the more delicate notes of white pepper, floral fruits, and nearly a Burgundy-esque lift on the nose. The palate is a great deal more powerful than the nose would have you believe; resplendent with dark fruits, black pepper and savory smoked spices, topped off by smooth, well-integrated tannins. Rip it & sip it, it’s ready to drink!
2016 Turley “Kirschenmann Vineyard” Zinfandel, Lodi
The Kirschenmann is particularly close to our hearts as our winemaker, Tegan Passalacqua, owns and farms this vineyard. The ungrafted vines were planted in 1915 in the silica-rich sandy soils of the east side of the Mokelumne River AVA. Thanks to the river’s cool waters and delta breezes, these head-trained, dry-farmed vines are constantly protected from the heat. In the grand tradition of old-vine field blends, the vineyard has small amounts of Mondeuse, Cinsault, and Carignane as well.
Jewel-like, multi-faceted red fruits on the nose, interspersed with white flowers and dried herbs. Don’t be fooled by the delicate aromas, however; the 2016 Kirschenmann has incredible structure, with polished tannins and phenomenal acidity that fill out the palate without weighing it down. With a long, savory finish reminiscent of young Barolo, this wine will undoubtedly age well.
2016 Turley “Mead Ranch” Zinfandel, Atlas Peak
Mead Ranch is planted at about 1600 feet on Atlas Peak, on the south-eastern side of Napa Valley. The vineyard was originally planted in the 1880s, though our block is primarily from the 1970s. This vineyard is head-trained, planted in red volcanic soil. On a clear day you can see San Francisco; though those are few and far between, and thus this vineyard sees plenty of fog from the bay.
With wild, uplifted aromatics that bound out of the glass, simply smelling the Mead Ranch is enough to improve even the most disheartening of days. Floral red fruits, rosewater, brambly blackberries, and a healthy dose of peppers & spices flood the senses. Bolstered by the constant fog & winds found in this vineyard, the well-integrated mountain tannins are balanced by a lovely high-toned edginess that extends out on the finish. Enjoyable now with a quick decanting!
2016 Turley “Rattlesnake Ridge” Zinfandel, Howell Mountain
Rattlesnake Ridge is an estate-owned and certified organic vineyard. Located at the top of Howell Mountain at about 2600 feet, the vines see more sun here than they would on the valley floor; however, it is much colder due to the elevation, and can even snow in the winter. All combined, these factors make for a truly unique wine: bold flavors, tannin and an acid backbone that can only come from Howell Mountain.
There’s a reason the word “more” popped up six separate times in our original tasting note of this wine—the Rattlesnake truly goes above & beyond. Brambly blue and black fruits take a backseat to the plentiful cracked pepper, sultry spices and wild underbrush characteristics that define this exceptional Howell Mountain vineyard. Smoked meats and purple fruits abound on the palate, and play beautifully atop the rugged, edgy tannins. We recommend decanting for at least an hour before drinking, or laying it down to enjoy in years to come!
2016 Turley “Sadie Upton Vineyard” Zinfandel, Amador County
We are honored to be working with this jewel of a vineyard in Amador County, whose story is almost as compelling as the wine itself. In 1922, smack-dab in the middle of Prohibition and while her husband was away working for the railroad, a then 21-year-old Sadie Upton decided she was going to plant herself a vineyard near their home at 1500 feet near Plymouth, CA. Now, 92 years later, the vines are still kicking in the gumption-riddled tradition of their creator. The wine was made exclusively by Karly for the past 30 years and we are beyond excited to be able to share Sadie’s moxie with you today.
Perfumed red fruits, dried sage, and a variety of exotic woods all vie for a turn on the nose of this year’s Sadie. The palate fleshes these flavors out alongside the graceful, fine-grained granitic tannins that make our Amador wines so distinctive. Decant.
2016 Turley “Estate” Zinfandel, Napa Valley
This vineyard is special to all of us here at the winery; right in our backyard, it’s what we see every day at work (and from the family home!). In 2006, we planted 6 acres of head-trained dry-farmed Zinfandel that compliments the original planting from ten years prior, all of which are certified organic.
Pure, gleamingly fresh red and purple fruits, allspice, and the familiar underbrush and garrigue characteristic of the Estate burst forth on the nose, with just a hint of chocolate-covered citrus. The palate is well-rounded and refined, with classic Napa sophistication; fans of our Aida wines of yore will find it resurrected here. Lively and ready to relish in its youth!
2016 Turley “Vineyard 101” Zinfandel, Alexander Valley
Located in Sonoma, this pre-Prohibition vineyard is estate-owned and certified organic. At only 2 ½ acres, it is the smallest site we make into a vineyard designate, which is a shame, since the wines are consistently a staff favorite. The wines are aromatic and light, with lots of fruit and great acidity.
Vineyard 101 was the first old-vine vineyard Larry purchased, and it is the longest-running estate bottling we’ve ever made. Vibrant, fresh red fruits, wild fennel and a touch of anise on the nose. The highest-acid wine we make from northern California, the palate’s texture is exquisite, akin to biting into a perfectly-ripened fruit. Thoroughly enjoyable now, and will be for years to come.
2016 Turley “Rattlesnake Ridge” Petite Syrah, Howell Mountain
Above St. Helena on the north-eastern ridge of Napa Valley, the Petite Syrah from Rattlesnake Ridge Vineyard is another fantastic expression of Howell Mountain. Dark, powerful, inky, funky; this high elevation, sun-drenched but cool and windy site brings out the best characteristics of Petite Syrah.
Dark violets, savory spices, perfume, and ink on a nose with seemingly endless depth. The palate is vast and satiating; concentrated purple fruits in conjunction with the healthy Howell Mountain tannin makes for an intense, multi-layered wine that will age indefinitely. We recommend laying this down for as long as you can stand it, then decanting.
2016 Turley “Estate” Petite Syrah, Napa Valley
Planted adjacent to the Estate Zinfandel, this Petite Syrah is also certified organic. The area used to be Wappo Indian grounds and obsidian arrowheads are commonplace in the rocky volcanic soils. The wines are classic Napa Valley Petite Syrah: dark and brooding on the nose, bright and vibrant on the palate.
Fragrant dark floral aromas, brambly purple fruits, wild game and violets make this a classic Napa Petite Syrah. Fresh tannins and lively acidity bring all the elements of this wine into perfect balance. Surprisingly welcoming in its youth, this is a Petite you could drink in the first year—if you had to! Whether you rip the cork now or in a few years, we recommend decanting.