Old Vines, Young Love
Tasting Notes
2021 vintage — winter release
2021 Turley “estate” cabernet sauvignon, Napa Valley
Organically-farmed, single-vineyard estate Napa Cabernet Sauvignon—not a statement that can be made by many! Planted in 1989 on the volcanic and alluvial soils found in northern Napa Valley, this vineyard forms the eastern border of the Turley estate and is framed by ancient majestic oak trees and a 150-year-old olive grove.
Certified organic, estate-owned and single-vineyard fruit from our home in the heart of Napa Valley. This wine is an instant classic, over-delivering on dark currant and cassis, savory notes of garrigue, ink, and freshly roasted coffee on the nose. Complex, structured, and quite serious on the palate, with a surge of juicy, ripe red raspberry fruit providing exquisite balance. Decant and ready to drink now at 60°-65°F.
2021 Turley “dragon Vineyard” cabernet sauvignon, howell mountain
When we first planted the Dragon Vineyard, the fact that Howell Mountain is hallowed ground for Cabernet Sauvignon did not escape us. Thus, though we filled the vast majority of the site with Zinfandel, we also planted a small parcel with Cabernet Sauvignon. And boy, are we glad we did.
Nestled atop Howell Mountain at 2200 feet, this certified organic vineyard overlooks the valley below. Signature Howell Mountain, with its distinctive nose of dark brambly fruits, high-toned white pepper, stone, and copious spices. Very structured and defined on the palate, with healthy high-elevation tannin. An intense and elegant wine. Decant several hours ahead of time and serve at 60°-65°F, or will age nicely.
2021 Turley “montecillo vineyard” cabernet sauvignon, sonoma valley
Hailing from one of the most historic and oldest Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards in Sonoma, Montecillo is truly a paragon site. Located in the sub-AVA of Moon Mountain along the western side of the Mayacamas, its high elevation, combined with dry-farming and the rocky, unforgiving soils, makes for one of the most authentic, unique, and all-around best vineyard sites in the US.
Perched at 1800 feet up Moon Mountain on the Sonoma side of the Mayacamas is this utter jewel of an old-vine, dry-farmed Cabernet vineyard. Compellingly lifted aromatics of black currant, brambly blackberry, fennel and a hint of anise. Elegant, well-integrated velvety tannins and more dark fruits on the palate. Deeply refined and absolutely delicious. Open and expressive, ready to drink now at 60°-65°F.
2021 Turley “rinaldi Vineyard” Zinfandel, amador county
Known to many historically as the Eschen vineyard, Rinaldi is one of the most significant ancient vineyards in the Sierra Nevada Foothills. Though the bulk of our block dates from 1910, there are even still a few remaining vines from the original planting in the 1860s! Up high at 2000 feet of elevation in the Fiddletown AVA, the wine has plenty of tannin and is generally more blue-fruited than what you might find in nearby Shenandoah Valley.
Century-old vines located 2000 ft up in granite soils of the Sierra Nevada Foothills. Layered and vivacious on the nose, with plum, blueberry, crushed rocks, and roasted game. Palate shows further blue and red fruits alongside the fine, satiating texture. Very drinkable on its own now at 55°-60°F, or can be decanted and/or laid down.
2021 Turley “dupratt Vineyard” Zinfandel, mendocino county
Planted in 1919 at 1500 feet up on Mendocino Ridge, this vineyard is surrounded by giant Redwood trees, forming a little island in the sky. Indeed, the site is so remote that the vines still survive on their own original roots as Phylloxera has never made its way up there. Located above the town of Philo and only 5 miles from the Pacific Ocean, it is the northernmost, coolest site from which we’ve ever made wine. Though we’ve worked with Mendocino fruit for many years, DuPratt is the only Mendocino County bottling from Turley.
Secluded, old vine Mendocino mountain fruit, planted in 1919 at 1500 ft. Dark and brooding nose of ripe boysenberry, blackberry, Indian ink, pencil lead, and wild foliage. Intense and savory on the palate, with plenty of mountain tannins and a long, lovely finish. A very special wine that will reward patience; lay it down or decant and serve now at 55°-60°F.
2021 Turley “monte rosso Vineyard” Zinfandel, sonoma valley
Located along the Sonoma side of the Mayacamas Mountains is the historic Monte Rosso vineyard. Called “red mountain” for its iron-rich volcanic soils, our block of Monte Rosso’s sloping hills was planted in 1893. Ranging in elevation from 700 to 1300 feet, these vines sit primarily above the fog line, with the city of San Francisco and the San Pablo Bay visible on a clear day. This prestigious vineyard is shared by many colleagues in the Zinfandel and larger wine world, and is widely considered one of the most notable sites both for the age of the vines as well as the superiority of the wines they produce.
Legendary late 1800s vineyard on Moon Mtn., along the southeastern edge of the Mayacamas. A deeply profound, brooding, almost Cabernet-like nose of dark fruits, dried baking spices, cassis, and graphite. Texture is reminiscent of other great wines of the world, and includes blackberry, plum, and smooth, marble-like mountain tannin that is exceptionally well-integrated. Decant and drink now at 55°-60°F or lay it down for years to come.