Newsletter
2019 vintage — spring release
Welcome to the first release of Turley’s 2019 vintage! The wines are downright lovely—indeed, the word “pretty” kept popping out of our mouths after any of the wines went in. Superbly well-integrated tannin, supple fruits, and expressive aromatics mean these puppies are ready and a-rarin’ to go!
Can you spot the differences? A 2018 Turley on the left, & 2019 Turley in the new bottle on the right!
We’d also like to give a hearty welcome to the first release in our new, rack-friendly bottles! As you can see from the picture above, these ever-so-slightly sleeker bottles maintain the distinctive look and feel of the classic Turley bottle—so much so, in fact, that it was a challenge to take a picture that effectively illustrated the difference in the two. We couldn’t be more thrilled with this new advance: in addition to fitting in wine racks, each bottle is also now 4 oz lighter!
Finally, we want to say an enormous thank you for your support—throughout our history, but especially in the past year. With tasting rooms and restaurants closed, we would never have made it without you, and for that we are eternally grateful. Here’s hoping our wines, in their own small way (and in their respective new bottles!) help lighten your load in the new year.
Old Vines Young Love,
Christina Turley, Larry Turley, & Tegan Passalacqua
Turley Wine Cellars
Tasting Notes
2019 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.
2019 Turley “Bedrock Vineyard” Zinfandel, Sonoma Valley
Hailing from 1888 and owned by Joel Peterson (founder of Ravenswood) and his son Morgan Twain-Peterson of Bedrock Wine Co., 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.
Dark fruited and brooding on the nose, with notes of blue fruits, gravel, and volcanic soil; an excellent choice if you’re a fan of the Fredericks. Ripe blackberry and boysenberry come through on the palate, alongside the notable tannins. The texture is densely compacted and very structured; as such, we strongly suggest decanting or laying the wine down for a spell.
2019 Turley “Buck Cobb Vineyard” Zinfandel, Amador County
Planted at 1500 feet on the volcanic, granitic hillside near our 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.
Don’t be fooled by the lighter color in your glass, as this wine is deeply satiating. A distinctive and alluring nose of red fruits, high-toned mountain perfume, dried rose petals, and sun-warmed granite. The palate is silky smooth, with the very finest-grained tannins imaginable—a true textural delight. Decanting not necessary straight out of the gate, but might come in handy several years down the line if you decide to hold the wine.
2019 Turley “Casa Nuestra” Red Wine, Napa Valley
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, Négrette, Mourvèdre, Refosco, and even Chenin Blanc.
Intensely colored with a multifaceted nose, comprising the full gamut of fruits alongside crème de cassis and wet stone. The palate is profound and mouth-filling, echoing the nose and adding elements of candied bacon, raspberry preserves, savory earth, and myriad spices to boot. A phenomenal pairing with cassoulet or Tomahawk steaks. Ready to drink now with a quick decant.
2019 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.Thanks to 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.
One whiff of the Duarte tells you everything you need to know about where this wine comes from. Notes of dark-skinned stone fruits, driftwood, and a bracing shoreline breeze convey the windswept sands of Contra Costa as clearly as if you were standing in the beach-like soils yourself. The palate is only further proof: suave tannins, smooth yet textured, velvety with a hint of grip, almost like peach fuzz. The type of dynamic fruit, acid, and tannin balance that can only come from ancient vines deeply rooted in the sandy soils of Northern California. Perfectly stellar from the first pour. If you’ve ever dreamed of renting a remote beach cottage in winter where you can walk your dog along the shore during the day and write your novel by a crackling fire at night, this wine is for you.
2019 Turley “DRAGON” Zinfandel, Howell Mountain
Dragon Vineyard is an estate-farmed, 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, first to receive the soft morning sun. These important features, along with the rocky, red volcanic soil, make for a unique, full-bodied, powerful Zinfandel. This is often Larry’s favorite since it goes with what he most likes to cook: bold, flavorful, spice-laden meats laid over an open fire. There’s a reason Howell Mountain was the first designated sub-AVA in Napa Valley: the wines from this hallowed ridge are the most distinctive in the entire region.
Defined by dark fruits, white pepper & other high-toned spices as well as savory herbs, the Dragon is truly one of a kind. On the palate, the wine shows ripe black plum, well-spiced roasted meats, and plenty of tannin, reminiscent of northern Rhône wines. Though absolutely a great food wine, the Dragon merits a contemplation all its own; we recommend decanting, then getting to the bottom of a glass or two by the hearth before dinner, just to see what’s what.
2019 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, in the cool Templeton Gap sub-AVA.
Plenty of lush, opulent brambly fruits abound on the nose and palate. Juicy, mouthwatering acidity, pleasantly soft at the start and finishing with a strong mineral backbone. The darker, more hedonistic cousin to the Pesenti Zinfandel, with a hint more heft. Can age, but unequivocally enjoyable now.
2019 Turley “HEMINWAY” Zinfandel, NAPA VALLEY
Located on the top of the Vaca Mountains in northeastern Napa Valley, this vineyard sits at 1700 feet in between the southern end of Howell Mountain and just north of Pritchard Hill. The vines benefit from the moderating climate above Lake Hennessey. The wines are classic Napa Valley mountain fruit with great tannin. Jay Heminway planted the vineyard with the help of his daughter’s then-Montessori teacher Alice Waters, now known as the pioneering chef of farm-to-table cuisine at Chez Panisse.
Cracked black pepper, blue fruits, black cherry, and freshly milled spices abound on the nose. A rounder, more moderate version of the Dragon, in that it’s along the same mountain range, though Heminway is further south and 700 feet further down. Nevertheless, the mountain shines through in the thoroughly structured texture, with stony tannins and a hint of graphite, balanced by fresh, lip-smacking acidity. Recommend decanting and can age for several years.
2019 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. Juvenile vines 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 27 vineyards across our beautiful Golden State, the Turley Juvenile is more of a clear bellwether for the 2019 vintage than any other wine we make. The wine is truly lovely from the very first pour, showing ripe red fruits, florals, warmed spices, and excellent freshness. Smooth, lithe, and satisfying on the palate, with a hint of texture and supremely well-integrated tannins. Juvenile always sets the standard for classic California Zinfandel, and the 2019 is no exception. What an absolutely gorgeous knockout of a wine for $20.
2019 Turley “Kirschenmann Vineyard” Zinfandel, Lodi
The Kirschenmann is 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.
Dark red fruits, black oolong tea, chaparral, and succulent roast meats. Deeply layered and complex while remaining nimble on the palate, with extremely well-integrated, fine-grained tannins. Profound and deep without being heady or brooding; like a pedigreed intellectual who is perpetually in a good mood and not afraid to get their hands dirty. Will benefit aromatically from a quick decant, or can be laid down for several years in your cellar.
2019 Turley “Pesenti Vineyard” Zinfandel, Paso Robles
This certified organic estate-owned vineyard was planted in the 1920s on primarily limestone soil. Though the vines are head-trained and dry-farmed, the soil plays the most important role in distinguishing this vineyard on the west side of Paso Robles. The wines have a brightness, with chalk and floral characteristic aromas unique to the site, and to Zinfandel in general.
What a pretty Pesenti! Bright, vivid red fruits, black raspberry, Sweet Tarts, and the characteristic white chalk minerality. Sleek and silken on the palate, with the traditionally lively acidity and a hint of passionfruit on the finish. Would be a killer pairing with Tandoori chicken, Thai beef, or any other aromatically spiced dish! Ready to drink now, or can age if preferred.
2019 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!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 a vineyard near their home at 1500 feet near Plymouth, CA. Now, 99 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.
Alpine fruits like fraise du bois and rhubarb abound on the deeply appealing nose. Juicy ripe red fruits and tart cherries on the palate, alongside noteworthy mountain yet mineral-y tannin; reminiscent of a high-elevation version of the Pesenti. Decant to enjoy.
2019 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!). We have slowly and steadily planted additional head-trained dry-farmed Zinfandel vines to complement the original planting from the mid-1990s, and the entire property is certified organic. Taking a page from our beloved old vine vineyards, we’ve also planted several of the varieties most commonly interplanted in old Zinfandel vineyards, including Carignane, Trousseau, and Cinsault.
Prima facie, one of the most open and expressive wines in the lineup. Red fruits, dark fruits, and chocolate-coated fruits flourish alongside bouquet garni, black pepper, chaparral and plentiful spices. The palate shows subtle gravelly tannins, lending backbone and structure to the wine. This year we’ve co-fermented the Estate Zinfandel fruit with a small amount (<5%) of the Carignane and heritage blend Petite Syrah interplanted on the Estate, affording additional depth and complexity to this beloved Estate wine. Ready to drink without delay!
2019 Turley “WHITNEY TENNESSEE” Zinfandel, ALEXANDER Valley
This small, estate-owned, pre-Prohibition vineyard in Sonoma County was purchased by the winery in 2009, and we’ve since converted all to organic farming. Planted on loam and various gravel soils, the Whitney Tennessee vineyard—named for one of Larry’s four daughters—is a mixed planting as well, with small amounts of Petite Syrah and Carignane vines sprinkled throughout.
Broad, brooding, and blue-fruited, the 2019 Whitney Tennessee is old-school in the best possible way. Touches of Rutherford dust, soft dark fruits and chewy tannins evoke ‘70s Bordeaux (without the Brettanomyces) or an old Napa Claret, making this perhaps the best Zinfandel to pair with a steak! Indeed, everything about this wine—from the lavish fruits to the polished tannins—recall a swanky steakhouse of yore, complete with leather banquets, dark romantic lighting, and elegantly cantankerous waiters. Decant this beautiful baby or lay it down in the cellar.
2019 Turley “Vineyard 101” Zinfandel, Alexander Valley
Located in Sonoma, this pre-Prohibition vineyard is estate-owned and certified organic. At only 2½ 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.
Just stunning. Redolent red raspberries warmed by the sun, dark red roses in full bloom…we found ourselves asking (more than once!) if Vineyard 101 is the Hayne of Sonoma. Perfectly balanced between the ripe red fruits, succulent acidity, and satiny smooth tannin. Ready to drink now, and will age very well.
2019 Turley “Estate” Petite Syrah, Napa Valley
Planted adjacent to the Estate Zinfandel, this Petite is also certified organic. The Wappo Indians used to roam throughout the region, and obsidian arrowheads are commonplace in the rocky volcanic soils. The wine is a classic Napa Valley Petite Syrah: dark and brooding on the nose, bright and vibrant on the palate.
Dark and inky in the glass. Whereas the Napa Petite Syrah is more of a choir, the Estate Petite is a soloist: single-vineyard in origin, one voice that soars above the rest. Pure and expressive, with blackberry, plum, blue fruits, meat marinade, and herbs de Provence. Plenty of tannin adds structure without being overpowering, allowing this virtuoso to shine. Decant or lay down.
2019 Turley Napa Valley Petite Syrah, Napa Valley
This new cuvée of Petite Syrah hails from several organic vineyards in northern Napa Valley, including the younger plantings of Hayne, Rattlesnake Ridge, Casa Nuestra, and Soda Canyon. The wine is extremely dark in color thanks to the high anthocyanin content (the antioxidant found in red wine)—in fact, Petite Syrah has one of the highest concentrations of this compound around! Surprisingly, there are very few examples of single-variety Petites to be found. Thus, this wine was created in the hopes it could be a primer on this beloved grape variety, a perfect counterpoint to the lush fruit and broad, expansive textures of Zinfandel. The Napa Petite Syrah is pure taut power and potential, with plenty of body and savory characteristics, but slightly more approachable and youthful than the single-vineyard versions. If you’re new to Petite Syrah, this is an excellent introduction; if you’re a seasoned pro, consider this one to sip on while you age your single-vineyard wines.
Cool blue fruits, Indian ink, violets, and warm earth on the nose. Balanced, layered, and full-bodied without being heavy, the palate is imminently satisfying. No need to decant (though you’re welcome to), and it’s ready to drink now!