Old Vines, Young Love
Tasting Notes
2022 vintage — fall 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.
2022 Turley “Dupratt” 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.
A destination worth the distance, this remote, secluded old vine Mendocino mountain vineyard was planted in 1919 at 1500 ft. Wild blackberry pie, sauvage and inky, pine needles, anise, garrigue, sweet fennel, gunmetal, iron—the list of layers in this wine is endless, as is its finish. Incredible elegance and depth on the palate echoes the never-ending nose. This wine isn’t Old World or New World—it’s a whole other world altogether.
2022 Turley “Dogtown Vineyard” Zinfandel, Lodi
Planted in 1944, the Dogtown Vineyard is organically farmed by Turley Wine Cellars. This head-trained, own-rooted vineyard is within the Clements Hills AVA, which has more varied topography than the rest of Lodi; thus, while most vineyards in the region were furrow irrigated, the rolling hills of iron-rich clay and volcanic soil in Dogtown have been dry-farmed from the start. The vineyard has some of the most consistently low yields and best natural acidity of any other we’ve farmed.
A jewel of Lodi, these organically farmed ungrafted vines were planted in 1944. A compelling nose of red fruit tea, hibiscus and autumnal notes, savory & satisfying. Supple and sweet fruits on the palate, with a long, generous finish. Speaking of length, we’ve made this single-vineyard wine for over 27 years, and it shows; this is mastery of the vine.
2022 Turley “monte rosso vineyard” Zinfandel, sonoma Valley
Located along the western and 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. The (all too rare) joy of a perfectly ripe blueberry, combined with freshly turned red earth, cinnamon & mint, potters clay, currants, cherries, and a faint suggestion of tobacco leaf. Utterly seamless on the palate, with sophisticated balance, polished mountain tannins, and the Katie Ledecky of finishes—it shines in its length.
2022 Turley “Judge Bell” Zinfandel, Amador County
As our Amador winery is located on Bell Road, we named this wine for the eponymous (and notorious) Judge Bell, who presided over the nearby town of Plymouth during its Gold Rush heyday. Harking from own-rooted vines planted in 1907, the wine shows quintessential Amador granitic tannins and briary fruits.
Ungrafted vines planted 1907 in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Botanical, almost Charterusian complexity, with dried strawberries & raspberries, blood orange, traces of tar and ripe peach around the pit. Palate is immensely well-framed, with satisfyingly spiky texture and signature tannins.
2022 Turley “Ueberroth Vineyard” Zinfandel, Paso Robles
Planted in 1885, Ueberroth is the oldest of our Zinfandel vineyards. Located closer to the sea than any other site we work with, you can smell the salt air from the top of the vineyard hill. These ungrafted, head-trained vines are planted on very steep limestone slopes. The high pH of the soil makes for a very high-acid wine, elevating the powerful ripe fruit flavors from this historic certified organic vineyard.
Certified organic, ungrafted vines over 130 years old; a “grand cru” site of Paso Robles. Transcendent. Lovely sweet red fruits, loads of spice and pepper, violets, chalk, even a hint of pineapple grass on the nose. White stones and wild strawberries in a lovely pas de deux on the palate, with vibrant energy and finesse. What a knockout.
2022 Turley “Brandlin Ranch” Zinfandel, Napa Valley
Located atop Mount Veeder, on the eastern and Napa side of the Mayacamas Mountains, this historic site was first settled in the 1870s by the Brandlin family, who ran the local stagecoach. They first planted grapevines in 1926, and we are honored to be working with the Zinfandel from that original planting. Sitting between 900-1250 feet in decomposed granite soils, slate, and schist, these dry-farmed vines see a long growing season, low yields, and high concentration. One sip and it’s easy to see why this is the most legendary vineyard on Mount Veeder.
Historic 1926 Zinfandel vineyard atop Mt. Veeder, along the steep southern edge of the Mayacamas Mountains. Extensive dark fruits incl wild mountain blackberries, earth, and Thai spices on the nose. Palate has wild cherries and raspberries, salty ocean air, and a lengthy, lingering finish.
2022 Turley “DUSI Vineyard” Zinfandel, PASO ROBLES
The Dusi vineyard was planted by Dante Dusi in 1945, and is farmed by his family to this day. The vines are head-trained and dry-farmed, planted in soil that is primarily alluvial with some rather large rocks. Like our other Paso vineyards, Dusi is located in the Templeton Gap AVA, the cooler climate area on the west side of the region.
Planted 1945 and still farmed by the Dusi family. Fragrant, ripe red fruits at the forefront, with lift, energy, and approachability. Raspberry preserves and a hint of chocolate on the palate, with a luscious, velvety, prolonged finish.
2022 Turley “Fredericks Vineyard” Zinfandel, Sonoma Valley
Hailing from 1937, these certified organic vines are some of the most unique we’ve ever seen. Just a mile and a half from the Napa border on the Sonoma side of the Mayacamas, the vines are planted along steep, contoured terraces. Finding old vineyards is rare enough, but ancient hillside head-trained vines located 900 feet up? Downright extraordinary.
Certified organic, planted 1937 at about 1000 ft. up Moon Mountain. Currants, cassis, blue fruits, earthy spices, graphite; if I didn’t know better I’d think this was mountain Cabernet! Silky dark fruits, minerality, long and lifted, rustic yet graceful on the palate.
2022 Turley “Hayne Vineyard” Zinfandel, Napa Valley
The Hayne Vineyard is one of our most exceptional sites. Located in an idyllic warm yet breezy spot on the west side of St. Helena, we are honored to have worked with this vineyard and the Hayne family for over twenty-six years. The property has been in the same family since 1876, and the head-trained, dry-farmed Zinfandel vines, planted in 1902 and 1903, produce wines of power and elegance. Year after year, this wine serves as the archetype for Zinfandel and Napa Valley.
The 30th vintage of this Napa Valley “grand cru,” planted 1902-03! Roses, apricot, dark fruits, sous bois, blue steel, powerful, rich & energetic; Hayne is the G.O.A.T. for good reason. Exceptional elegance immediately apparent in the depth and complete focus on the nose as well as the incomparable structure and supple texture on the palate. The epitome of what great grapes can do.
2022 Turley “RATTLESNAKE RIDGE Vineyard” Zinfandel, HOWELL MOUNTAIN
Rattlesnake Ridge is a certified organic, estate-owned 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, and a tannin and acid backbone that can only come from Howell Mountain.
Certified organic estate vines planted at 2400 ft. on a windswept ridge overlooking Napa Valley. Fragrant nose of herbs de Provence, roast meats, cracked pepper, and dark fruits. More nimble and lithe on the palate than the nose would have you believe, layered and lively with the power and texture that are the trademarks of Howell Mountain.
2022 Turley “Zampatti Vineyard” Zinfandel, Sonoma County
Located in Sonoma County, Zampatti is nearly hidden in downtown Santa Rosa. Planted in 1915 on 2.5 acres, the vineyard is farmed organically by Alida Morzenti, granddaughter of the Zampattis. The Zinfandel vines are interspersed with little-known white grapes Palomino and Golden Chasselas, and planted on a cool sloping site with large rocks scattered throughout the warm Franciscan soils. The wines are balanced, aromatic, bright and beautiful.
A miniscule jewel of an organic vineyard, planted 1915. Spiced fruits, baked plums, blackberry, and pomegranate alongside aromatic holiday seasonings on the nose. Palate is electrifyingly bright, with refined, persistent and luscious blood orange and black pepper. Perfumed and polished, Zampatti is always a favorite.
2022 Turley “Old Vines” Zinfandel, California
Old Vines is composed of a variety of venerable sites from California that are either too small to be made into a vineyard designate wine or are “new” to the Turley family (and way of farming). Vines are anywhere from 50 to 130 years old, and a true representation of California old vine Zinfandel, hailing from vineyards in Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, Lodi, Contra Costa, Amador and Paso Robles. There is no better way to gauge the classic character of old vine Zinfandel in California than through this wine.
The sage, autumnal older sister to the spring verve of the Juvenile, Old Vines encompasses everything we stand for at Turley. Teeming with dark berries, currants, baking spices, earth, and a sprinkle of petrichor on the nose. The palate is brooding yet supple, serious yet satisfying. Inherently embodies the depth, complexity, and grace that can only come from old vines. Delicious.
2022 Turley “The White Coat” White Wine, California
The White Coat (named for Larry’s past career as an Emergency Room physician) is composed of white Rhône grapes from three of our Estate vineyards across California. The rich, textured Roussanne from Rattlesnake Ridge on Howell Mountain in Napa is moderated by acidity and structure provided by the Grenache Blanc grown in the calcareous soils of the Pesenti Vineyard in Paso Robles. Finally, the blend is rounded out with a touch of refreshing, mineral Vermentino (also known as Rolle) from the granitic and quartz-laden Cobb Vineyard in Amador. The result is an exceptional, dynamic white wine that is truly California.
Our signature white blend of Grenache Blanc, Vermentino, and Roussanne, all white grapes hailing originally from the Rhône Valley. Positively bursting with pineapple, guava, and lychee alongside sun-warmed white stone on the nose. Palate is richly dynamic and surprisingly spry, with honeysuckle, white pepper, and apricot jam. So good I could spit (but I won’t!)
2022 Turley “Library Vineyard” Petite Syrah, Napa Valley
The Library Vineyard is one of the most unique vineyards in California. Planted between 1880 and 1920 directly behind the St. Helena Public Library, the vineyard is very varietally diverse. Primarily Petite Syrah vines mix with a myriad of others, including; Peloursin, Cinsault, Syrah, Mission, Alicante Bouschet, Grand Noir, Carignan, Grenache and Zinfandel. There are also several white grapes such as Muscat Alexandria, Muscadelle, Burger, and Green Hungarian. We pick them all together to make a wine truly expressive of the vineyard.
Cherished in the community, this incredibly varietally diverse vineyard was planted 1880-1920. Violets, lavender, blueberry, blackberry, smoked meats, and freshly spilled ink. Svelte, silken, richly fruited and chalk-full of flavor on the palate. A wine to inspire.
2022 Turley “Hayne Vineyard” Petite Syrah, Napa Valley
Otty Hayne planted the Hayne Petite Syrah in 1953 while he was home from college visiting his grandfather. All head-trained, dry-farmed and organic, this Petite Syrah vineyard is one of the most exceptional sites in California. The wine is powerful and inky in its youth, and becomes more elegant and refined with age. Likely to outlive us all.
The 30th vintage of Hayne Petite Syrah! Alongside it’s Zinfandel counterpart, this Petite has the most history and longevity of any wine for Turley. Three decades cultivating this vineyard for its treasures, and it shows. Plum, pain grillé, blackberry, and dark florals abound. Utterly palate-coating and concentrated, everything you want in a Petite Syrah with elegance at the forefront. This wine is one for the ages.
2022 Turley “RATTLESNAKE RIDGE Vineyard” PETITE SYRAH, HOWELL MOUNTAIN
Above St. Helena on the north-eastern ridge of Napa Valley, the Petite Syrah from the certified organic Rattlesnake Ridge Vineyard is another fantastic expression of Howell Mountain. Dark, powerful, inky, funky; this high-elevation, sun-drenched yet cool and windy site brings out the best characteristics of Petite Syrah.
Certified organic vines planted at 2400 ft above Napa Valley. Piercing aromatics of pepper, garrigue, petrichor, wild game, and forest floor. This is a sylvan, mountain-dweller of a wine, roasting venison over an open fire before laying to rest in a well-appointed cabin. Purple fruits, wild violets, spice, and rocky, rugged mountain texture round out the palate. This wine is an experience.