2017 Vintage Fall Release Tasting Notes

Tasting Notes

2017 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.

2017 “The White Coat” White Wine, California

Though the blend has changed over the years, 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.

The 2017 has a touch more Grenache Blanc and Vermentino than years previous, providing excellent acidity and a saline edge to the otherwise round, warm tropical and stone fruits found each year in this wine. Since it sees all French oak barrels (of which only 10% are new) and we don’t stir the lees, all the of texture comes from the grapes themselves. Sun, warm rocks, white pepper, straw, and tons of white peach and nectarine on the long finish. 

2017 “Cedarman” Zinfandel, Howell Mountain

Cedarman is a proprietary blend of fruit from both Rattlesnake Ridge and Dragon Vineyards. Although primarily Zinfandel, we use a small amount of Petite Syrah from the Rattlesnake vineyard as well. The result is a truly powerful, dense and wild wine, long on flavor.

As the only Howell Mountain Zin in the fall lineup, the Cedarman always stands out. Dark purple and inky on the nose, with high-toned white pepper and lots of ripe brambly fruits. Palate is dense, packed with more spice and dark plums, graphite, roasted meats, and dusty earth. With its signature Howell Mountain texture, tannin, and long finish, the Cedarman is an ideal cold weather wine. Decant it to enjoy the wine’s evolution over the course of an evening.

2017 “Dogtown Vineyard” Zinfandel, Lodi

Planted in 1944, the Dogtown Vineyard is 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.

Red and ruby-like in color with a deeply alluring nose of black tea, scarlet rose petals, and black cherry. Taut and focused on the palate, refreshing acidity and well-structured; reminiscent of the wines of Piedmont, and one of the group favorites from the fall tasting!

2017 “DuPratt Vineyard” Zinfandel, Mendocino County

We are beyond thrilled to be working with this vineyard. Planted in 1919 at 1500 feet up on Mendocino Ridge, this vineyard is surrounded by giant Redwood trees and is often called the “vineyard in the sky.” Indeed, the site is so remote that the vines still survive on their own original rootstocks, 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.

The combination of old vines, high elevation, and extreme isolation and acidity make this wine truly unique; imagine a cross of the Ueberroth and Howell Mountain, and you’d start to have an idea of what DuPratt tastes like. Deeply colored, with a dense nose packed with dark fruits, ripe blackberries, and crushed white stones. Broad, brooding, sappy and richly textured on the palate. Tons of structure owing both to the age of the vines and the elevation, though the tannins are profoundly well-integrated with the very high acidity. Will last a long, long time, and we strongly recommend decanting.

2017 “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.

Officially in the newest cool-kid AVA of Moon Mountain, the Fredericks Vineyard is a genuine rarity: old vine concentration and complexity coupled with mountainside structure and tannin. The 2017 is refined, with excellent purity of fruit on the nose. The site’s characteristic deep blue fruits are especially vibrant in ’17, with hints of vitamin C and orange peel as well. Powerfully textured, with plenty of typical mountain tannic structure on the extended finish.

2017 “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.

Perfume, gravel, rose petals and waxed plum on the nose. White spices and fully ripe white figs as well as quince paste on the palate. Elegantly textured with perfect synergy between the tannin and acidity, indicative of Hayne’s blue-blooded and deeply-set roots. These 117-year-old-vines in the stony, well-drained soils consistently produce one of the most regal Turley wines year in and year out.  

2017 “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 feminine and refined with age. Likely to outlive us all.

Transformative and transporting: one whiff conjures images of the south of France, particularly the Rhone Valley. Black flowers, baked earth, sun-bleached driftwood, and briary fruits abound. The palate is profound and brooding, with a seemingly never-ending finish. With its unrivaled balance and depth, it’s easy to see why the Hayne reigns supreme. Give it a vigorous decant, or it will be all the more stellar after some time in your cellar.

2017 “Heminway Vineyard” 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 Montessori teacher, Alice Waters.

The 2017 Heminway is stunning: enticingly dense blue and black fruits, graphite, and sapid spices all swarm the nose. The concentrated, richly textured palate has many Syrah-like elements including black olive, anise, and cracked black pepper. This wine, like the vineyard itself, has such a unique and distinguishing profile. The texture speaks to the particularity of the site: on its own little mountain top, surrounded by Chiles Valley, planted in iron-rich volcanic soils. Definitely an age-worthy wine that will benefit from decanting when you deign to enjoy!

2017 “Judge Bell” Zinfandel, Amador County

As our Amador winery is located on Bell Road, we named this wine for the eponymous (and notorious) “hanging” 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 & briary fruits.

Savory Provencal herbs, rosemary, mint and dark flowers on the Nebbiolo-like nose. Judge Bell has a striking texture, with stony, unique tannins owing to the 112-year-old vines that are deeply rooted in these organically farmed granite soils of the Sierra Foothills. The elegant and fine-grained layers linger through the clean acidity, like a deep breath of fresh mountain air.

2017 “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. 

The chameleon, mood ring, whack-a-mole wine: you’ll encounter a new aroma leaping from the glass every time you raise it. Certainly the prettiest and most open of all of Turley’s Petite Syrahs, the wine is a veritable panoply of fruits & flavors: citrus, quince, red fruits, white flowers, sun-drenched earth, warm spices. The palate has intense energy, zipping around through firm tannins and lively textures. Gratifying now, though will likely be even more rewarding with time.

2017 “Old Vines” Zinfandel, California

Old Vines is composed of a variety of old 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 2017 Old Vines smells like one of my all-time favorite, most vivid summer memories: picking the blackberry bushes that line our Estate vineyard in St. Helena in the late afternoon. Warm and perfectly ripe, these berries were destined for a pie, if I could hold off on eating all of them before I walked back home. Hailing from over 20 ancient vineyards across California and aged in only 10% new oak, the wine has all those bright, pure berry fruit notes and more; the elegant, grown-up version of that Rockwellian memory. Intensely satiating and polished on the palate, with the kind of natural depth, complexity, and grace that can only come from truly old vines.

2017 “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, and chalk and floral characteristic aromas unique to the site, and to Zinfandel in general.

Back to the classic. Tons of vibrant, ripe red fruits on the nose, with an uplifting hint of the chalky soils; like eating your favorite afterschool raspberry jam snack while there’s still chalk dust on your fingers. The plentiful and powerful warm fruits on the palate are balanced by one of the freshest, highest natural acidities found in any red wine, leading to a satisfyingly nimble texture. Drinking especially well right off the bat!

2017 “Pesenti Vineyard” Petite Syrah, Paso Robles

This estate-owned and certified organic vineyard was planted by the Turley team using cuttings from the legendary Hayne vineyard. Head-trained, dry-farmed and planted in limestone, the wines are dark, smooth, dense and classic Petite Syrah.  As the vines age the wines are increasingly expressive of the Pesenti Vineyard with minerality, savory spices and high tone pepper.

If, like us, you are fans of the wines of the Northern Rhone Valley—Cornas in particular—then you’ll love the 2017 Pesenti Petite Syrah as much as we do! Lightly smoked, ripe dark fruits with fresh cracked pepper on the nose. The palate is surprisingly graceful despite its powerful heft, thanks to the excellent acidity in the soils. Dense, inky, and loaded with spice, the Pesenti Petite is a bold, deeply flavorful, and satisfying wine. We recommend giving it some time in the bottle and decanting well ahead of mealtime to best experience this powerful Petite.

2017 “Salvador Vineyard” Zinfandel, Contra Costa County

Salvador Vineyard in Contra Costa County is a paragon of old vine Zinfandel. These organically farmed vines were planted on their own roots in 1896. The roots are free to roam deeply as the soil is solid sand for 40 feet down. The wine is stunning: suave, complex and powerfully elegant.  

Probably the most intriguing nose of all the 2017s. Succulent salted fruits like plum and peach skin, white flowers, and a touch of Moroccan mint tea layered with myriad other aromas will make you want to revisit this wine again and again. Satiating on the palate thanks to the supple tannins that can only come from such an ancient vineyard so deeply rooted in these sandy soils. The Salvador feels like truly old-school California, reminiscent of what wine might’ve tasted like when it was first made from these vines well over 120 years ago! Ready to go now, even more fulfilling with age.

2017 “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 ripe fruit flavors from this historic certified organic vineyard.

Multi-faceted, bejeweled nose of elegant dark fruits and deeply concentrated minerality. With an extra 40 years on these vines and some of the steepest slopes around, the Ueberroth is like the Pesenti Vineyard in a tux: more polish, sophistication, and power. Typical Ueberroth structured chalky tannins coated in silky, luscious red fruits and framed by racy acidity. Ready to drink now and will age well thanks to the immense power & structure inherent to this wine. 

2017 “Whitney Tennessee” Zinfandel, Alexander Valley

Everything old is new again, and this wine is no exception. This small, estate-owned, pre-Prohibition vineyard was purchased by the winery in 2009, and we’ve been slowly but surely repairing the soils through organic methods until the wine was ready to make its debut. 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. Long-time Turley followers may remember a wine with the same name from the mid-1990’s, though this is a different vineyard source, located just off Alexander Valley Road in Sonoma.

Primary, red & black fruits with a touch of kirsch liqueur and warm river rocks on the nose. Much more dark fruited on the palate: white fig, dates, and a gravelly grip to the tannins balanced by the notable acidity. Of the tiny-vineyard Sonoma sites (Whitney & Zampatti) this is certainly the darker, denser of the two, though lovely, open, and drinking well today!

2017 “Zampatti Vineyard” Zinfandel, Sonoma County

Located in Sonoma County, this vineyard 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 & 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. 

Though a darker version than years past, Zampatti is the zippier and brighter of the two tiny Sonoma vineyards in 2017. This is most likely owing to the particularly cool location of the vineyard, sheltered as it is by the surrounding groves and gardens. Raspberry and blackberry preserves on the nose, with a touch of garrigue and piquant spice. Though it’s picked late in the season, Zampatti’s acidity is one of the naturally highest of all the wines we make. As such, supple fruits abound on the palate alongside the crunchy, mouth-watering acidity. Drink now, though can easily hold for a few years…if you must!

2017 Vintage Fall Newsletter

Hello, friends old and new!

            Welcome back to the world of Turley! These waning days of summer are a season of returning: back to school, back to work, back to reality. Though it’s been, ahem, a minute since I’ve actually gone “back to school,” I still feel like this time of year—more so even than the start of a new calendar year—is a chance for reinvention. A reimagining of the self, reflecting on the ways you’ve grown thus far, and deciding who you’re going to be moving forward. At least, that’s how it feels on August’s better days; other times, it can feel like a month-long stretch of the “Sunday Scaries.”

            Staring down the barrel of the upcoming season, it’s nice to have something to look forward to. Sometimes, just the anticipation of opening a bottle of wine can turn a day from grey to great. A simple joy, a little prize for yourself, whether it’s a reward for a job well done or a consolation for one that, well, wasn’t. I like to think of ordering the fall release as a pre-emptive self-care strike: when that package finally arrives, future you will take a moment to thank present you, and both of you will be grateful for taking such good, thoughtful care of yourselves!

            We’re also welcoming the return to normalcy for our vineyards most affected by the California droughts, especially Ueberroth! Paso Robles was hit harder than any other region we work with during the California droughts, and Ueberroth in particular suffered yield-wise, with very little to go around. But now, with the “normal”-to-healthy rains we saw in ’16 and ’17, Ueberroth is back, baby! Just look at all that verdant glory!

For a vineyard in its 134th year of life, may we just say, daaaaaaaaaang you look good!

            Sadly, we also have a farewell to say. Jay Heminway, proprietor and winemaker of Napa’s Green & Red winery as well as our beloved grower of the Heminway vineyard, passed this summer. One of the most hard working, committed, passionate people we had the honor of knowing, his kind smile and spirit will be missed by all who were lucky enough to know him. For a more in-depth look at his incredible history and impact in the wine world, please see his obituary in the Napa Valley Register. I know we’ll be holding our few bottles of Heminway especially close to our hearts come fall.

Old Vines, Young Love,

Christina Turley, Larry Turley, & Tegan Passalacqua

Turley Wine Cellars

2016 Vintage Fall Newsletter

Dear Friends,

            I figured it was high time to introduce myself, seeing as how I’ve been writing to you all for nearly eight years now. I’m Christina Turley, Larry’s oldest daughter (there’s four of us—that’s what the four stars on the capsules & corks represents!) and I’m the Director of Sales at Turley. Together with our winemaker Tegan Passalacqua, I compose these fair missives, as well as the tasting notes and many of the emails you receive as well. So, hello! Nice to meet you, and if we haven’t already, I look forward to sharing a glass with you one day!

            Tegan & I taste through the wines for each release multiple times, often in groups that include the mailing list and tasting room staffs, and of course Larry, the big cheese himself. Like much of what we do, it’s a collaborative effort—especially helpful now, considering this fall release now has SEVENTEEN separate wines! For those of you keeping track at home, that’s one more than last year. That’s right, please help us welcome an extraordinary new addition to the Turley family, the DuPratt Vineyard Zinfandel! Planted pre-Prohibition on its original rootstock up 1500 feet on Mendocino Ridge, DuPratt is Turley’s 1st bottling from Mendocino County. It’s an incredibly unique site—see the full tasting note below for details. Can you tell we’re excited?!

            In fact, “excited” barely covers our feelings about the 2016 vintage. This was the year we welcomed the long overdue return to “normal” rainfall in California. The wines show more prettiness, and are slightly more relaxed (though still very powerful) than the distress we saw in years previous; imagine an unperturbed Bruce Lee. He’s laid back, sure, but all that power’s still there, simmering right beneath the surface. (As always, this excellent analogy courtesy of Tegan).

            Where the brutal climate has dominated the past few vintages, in 2016 the sites themselves were allowed to really strut their stuff. Indeed, I found the word “distinctive” popping up repeatedly in my notes. Each of the vineyards in ’16 have neatly distinguished themselves from one another, and the individual wines are more truly, classically themselves. This was the most Fredricks Fredricks, the most Zampatti Zampatti, that we’ve had in recent memory. These wines taste how I feel after the first full night’s sleep in ages: healthy, well-rested, and actually, definitively, myself.

            Finally, if you’re looking for more light reading to inspire you while you peruse the notes below, I strongly suggest this poem, “Bottle of Wine” by Carl Dennis.

Old Vines Young Love,

Christina Turley & Tegan Passalacqua

Turley Wine Cellars

2016 Vintage Tasting Notes

Tasting Notes

2016 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.

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.

2016 “The White Coat” White Wine, California

Though the blend has changed over the years, The White Coat (named for Larry’s past 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 knows as Rolle) from the granitic and quartz-laden Cobb Vineyard in Amador. The result is an exceptional, dynamic white wine that is truly California.

Exquisitely aromatic, with white flowers, ripe stone fruit, and crushed minerals on the nose. With great acidity and 13.8% abv the wine is lithe on the mid-palate, while maintaining the substantial body and finish we love so much about this unique California white wine. Since it sees all French oak barrels (of which only 10% are new) and we don’t stir the lees, all the of texture comes from the grapes themselves. This is a serious white wine, the likes of which you can’t find anywhere else!

2016 “Cedarman” Zinfandel, Howell Mountain

Cedarman is a proprietary blend of fruit from both Rattlesnake Ridge and Dragon Vineyards. Although primarily Zinfandel, we use a small amount of Petite Syrah from the Rattlesnake vineyard as well. The result is a truly powerful, dense and wild wine, long on flavor.

Deeply fragrant dark purple fruits, ground Provençal herbs, and lavender abound on the nose. The significantly lower crop on Howell Mountain in 2016 (we have only 1/3 the Cedarman we had last year) make for a great deal more concentration in the fruit, evident in the strong ripe brambly berry and savory spice flavors. With its signature Howell Mountain texture, tannin, and long finish, the Cedarman is an ideal cold weather wine. Decant it to enjoy the wine’s evolution over the course of an evening. 

2016 “Dogtown Vineyard” Zinfandel, Lodi

Planted in 1944, the Dogtown Vineyard is farmed by Turley Wine Cellars. This head-trained, own-rooted vineyard is within the Clements Hills AVA, which has more 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.

We’ve worked with this vineyard 21 years now, making it one of the longest-running wines in Turley’s farming history. The wine has an intricate nose of dusty herbs, exotic spices, and red jeweled fruits, along with a touch of Palo Santo. The palate is rife with bright red fruits and vibrant acidity, and distinctively suave tannins. This 2016 Dogtown has an elegant structure and texture reminiscent of our favorite wines from sandy soils like Salvador and Duarte. A true Turley classic.

2016 “DuPratt Vineyard” Zinfandel, Mendocino County

*New!* Please welcome the incredible DuPratt Vineyard to the Turley family. Planted in 1916 at 1500 feet up on Mendocino Ridge, this vineyard is surrounded by giant Redwoods and is often called the “vineyard in the sky.” Indeed, the site is so remote that the vines still survive on their own original rootstocks, 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 coolest site from which we’ve ever made wine. Though we’ve worked with Mendocino fruit for many years, DuPratt is the 1st Mendocino County bottling from Turley.

A real stunner of a wine, we are thrilled to have bottled our first DuPratt. The combination of old vines, high elevation, and extreme isolation and acidity make it truly unique; imagine a cross of the Ueberroth and Howell Mountain wines, and you’d start to have an idea of what DuPratt tastes like. Profound aromatics of dark berries, mountain garrigue, and high-toned white spices flood the nose. These notes carry through to the palate, which is most noticeable for its bracing acidity: at only 3.22 pH, this is the highest acid wine Turley has ever bottled. Give it as much time as you can stand in the bottle, as this wine will only improve with age; either way decanting it will help speed up that process when you just can’t take it anymore!

2016 “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.

Officially in the newest cool-kid AVA of Moon Mountain, the Fredricks Vineyard is a genuine rarity: old vine concentration and complexity coupled with mountainside structure and tannin. The nose is so distinctive, so classically Fredericks, that even a novice could pick it out of the lineup: cool ripe blueberry, high tones, and tartly sweet berry pie with a dusting of spiced herbs. The palate is where the old high-elevation vines really shine, showing off excellent structure, pleasingly substantial tannin, and a long finish. We recommend giving this wine some time in bottle (if you can!) and decanting before opening.

2016 “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-five 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 2016 Hayne Zinfandel is striking in its elegance. Noble red and blue fruits and fragrant purple flowers on the nose shine through onto the palate as well. The texture of this wine is truly exceptional, indicative of its blue-blooded and deeply-set roots. Lovely, lively acidity up front, refined and delicate on the mid-palate, then swiftly followed by immense structure, depth, and power through the finish. These 116-year-old-vines in the stony, well-drained soils have produced not just the best Zinfandel, but an overall ideal wine, period, year after year.  

2016 “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 feminine and refined with age. Likely to outlive us all.

Dense, graceful, and impeccably well-integrated, the Hayne Petite Syrah from 2016 is a wine for the ages. This vineyard is the closest thing we have to a grand cru in California, and the wine over delivers year in and year out. Dark fruit, lovely acidity, sublime texture and gravel tannins all work in tandem with one another; the difference between an experienced orchestra and a guitar solo. With its unrivaled balance and depth, it’s easy to see why the Hayne reigns supreme. Give it a vigorous decant, or it will be all the more stellar after some time in your cellar.

2016 “Heminway Vineyard” 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. Grown by Jay Heminway, the vines benefit from the moderating climate above Lake Hennessey. The wines are classic Napa Valley mountain fruit with great tannin. 

This wine, like the vineyard itself, has such a unique and distinguishing aromatic profile. Tomato leaf, baked rocks, brambly fruit and brush, the 2016 Heminway is definitely more savory than saccharine. The texture speaks to the particularity of the site: on its own little mountain top, surrounded by Chiles Valley, planted in iron-rich volcanic soils. The wines are plush without being heavy, and have a deeply satisfying texture and structure found only in mountain vineyards. Definitely an age-worthy wine, that will benefit from decanting when you decide to enjoy.

2016 “Judge Bell” Zinfandel, Amador County

As our new winery is located on Bell Road, we named this wine for the eponymous (and notorious) “hanging” 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 & briary fruits. 

Drinking Judge Bell is the closest we’ll ever get to time travel. These 111-year-old vines are deeply rooted in the organically farmed granite soil, and the wine they produce is distinctively Amador in its pure luminous red color and red-fruited aromatics. The texture further tells the story of the Sierra Foothills, once the epicenter of California’s Gold Rush, with its highly-polished, fine-grained mountain tannins. Drinking exceptionally well now, but will age if you have the patience.

2016 “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. 

It’s always difficult to put into words just how special, multi-faceted, and charming this wine is. Citrus flowers and zest, purple fruits, and smoked peppers on the nose; imagine all the scents of an exotic dinner party under the stars, with food cooked over an open fire, and you’d get close. The palate is firmly medium-bodied with a little added density on the finish, and flavorful, long-lived tannins that carry those aromas and images through to the end. One you’ll want to come back to, again and again, and you’ll discover something new every time.

2016 “Old Vines” Zinfandel, California

Old Vines is composed of a variety of old 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.

Thanks to the fortuitous acquisition of the old-vine Steacy vineyard, the Turley Old Vines has never been better. In 2016, it has some of the best freshness and acidity we’ve ever seen in this wine, as well as a deeply satiating spice and luscious, succulent fruit. As always, these fruits run the gamut from red to blue to black, and the wine has the kind of natural depth, complexity, and grace that can only come from truly old vines.

2016 “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, and chalk and floral characteristic aromas unique to the site, and to Zinfandel in general.

 Yields were down once again in Paso Robles, though luckily in 2016 we started to see the sliiiiiightest bit of relief, rain-wise. As a result, the Pesenti Vineyard Zinfandel is deeply concentrated yet refreshing. The tart red fruits on the initial nose are present as always, followed by Pesenti’s signature bright acidity and smooth tannin. The wine has a refined yet approachable palate presence, complemented by plenty of lift from the calcareous Pesenti soils, carrying through to a long, invigorating finish.

2016 “Pesenti Vineyard” Petite Syrah, Paso Robles

This estate-owned and certified organic vineyard was planted by the Turley team using cuttings from the Hayne vineyard. Head-trained, dry-farmed and planted in limestone, the wines are dark, smooth, dense and classic Petite Syrah.  As the vines age the wines are increasingly expressive of the Pesenti Vineyard with minerality, savory spices and high tone pepper.

The 2016 Pesenti Petite Syrah is the perfect finisher to a meal, especially if that meal includes anything well-spiced or smoked. White pepper and big dark fruits leap out of the glass, while the underlying notes of purple flowers and subtle savory smoke draw you in. The palate is dense and chewy, with more dark fruits and loads of spice; a bold, deeply flavorful, and satisfying wine. We recommend giving it some time in the bottle and decanting well ahead of mealtime to best experience this powerful Petite.

2016 “Salvador Vineyard” Zinfandel, Contra Costa County

Salvador Vineyard in Contra Costa County is a paragon of old vine Zinfandel. These organically farmed vines were planted on their own roots in 1896. The roots are free to roam deeply as the soil is solid sand for 40 feet down. The wine is stunning: suave, complex and powerfully elegant.  

The Salvador feels like truly old-school California, reminiscent of what wine might’ve tasted like when it was first made from these vines well over 120 years ago! The nose pulls you in with aromas of peach fuzz, purple flowers and dark berry fruits. Salvador is instantly pleasing on the palate thanks to the lush, supple tannins that can only come from a vineyard of this age planted so deeply in these Delhi blow sandy soils. Downright delicious straight out of the gate, but all that old-vine intensity and structure along with the fruit’s bracing acidity means this wine will age excellently, if you’re so inclined.

2016 “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 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 ripe fruit flavors from this historic certified organic vineyard.

With an extra 40 years on these vines and some of the steepest slopes around, the Ueberroth is like the Pesenti Vineyard in a tux: more polish, sophistication, and power. Pretty purple and black fruits, with a deeply intriguing spice and minerality character on the nose. The palate is layered, focused, and zoomed-in on those fruits as well as the extremely high acidity. Always refined, always delicious, never enough to go around! Ready to drink now and will age nicely thanks to the immense power & structure inherent to this wine.  

2016 “Whitney Tennessee” Zinfandel, Alexander Valley

Everything old is new again, and this wine is no exception. This small, estate-owned, pre-Prohibition vineyard was purchased by the winery in 2009, and we’ve been slowly but surely repairing the soils through organic methods until the wine was ready to make its debut, six years later. 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. Long-time Turley followers may remember a wine with the same name from the mid-1990’s, though this is a different vineyard source, located just off Alexander Valley Road in Sonoma.

Dense dark blue and purple fruits lead off on the nose, followed swiftly by a bright, vibrant lift and a hint of wet stones. We have both the age of the vines and the cool climate of the site to thank for the wine’s vivacious acidity on the palate, as well as the fine-grained texture and juicy, almost saline and deeply flavorful fruit. Drinking great now!

2016 “Zampatti Vineyard” Zinfandel, Sonoma County

Located in Sonoma County, this vineyard 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 & 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 part of the tiny Fountaingrove AVA in Sonoma, Zampatti is in a particularly cool location, just one of the factors that makes this wine so unique. We get the cool growing season aromatics like those seen in Russian River Valley, but the wine has a great deal more structure, owing to the rocky, uplifted seabed soils. On the nose, it smells like the most perfect blackberry pie, fresh from a wood burning oven: ripe brambly fruits, baking spices, the sun shining down through tall trees. The wine is just as multi-faceted on the palate, with all those blue and black fruits paired with pure, lively acidity and lush tannin, resulting in a deeply satisfying texture. 

2016 Vintage Spring Newsletter

Dear Friends,

            We’ve got a lot of wines; you (probably?) don’t have a lot of time; so let’s get down to it!  

            2016 was the first year of mild relief from the drought. With more vegetative growth and a lot less distress, the vines were all healthy at harvest. The resulting wines still contain some of the darkness, depth and density we saw with the drought-ravaged vintages, though in 2016 the wines were able to maintain their delicacy and grace. Tasting through these wines was inspiring, and we are delighted to be sharing them with you now!

            A quick update about the 2017 fires in Napa and Sonoma as well. We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of support our entire community received during what was an insanely tumultuous, chaotic, and trying period for all. Our families escaped unscathed, and Turley was very lucky from both a vineyards and wines standpoint. (Zinfandel ripens early, so all our vineyards had been picked and the wines were safely in tank or barrel well before the fires began.) Sadly, Mead Ranch on Atlas Peak was one of the epicenters of the fire, and the Meads lost everything; every structure was destroyed. Though the vines are miraculously still standing, it is impossible to predict what the long-term damage will be, and now there is nothing to do but wait, see, and hope for the best.

In the meantime, we’d like to welcome a new wine to the Turley family: the 2016 Casa Nuestra red! A proper California field blend, the vineyard is a heavily mixed planting of Petite Syrah, Zinfandel, Carignane, Mourvedre, and a handful of other fun obscure varieties (Negrette and Refosco, anyone?); hence the “red wine” designation on the label. From an organically-farmed-since-1979 vineyard neighboring us in Napa Valley, it’s a spot we’ve long admired; indeed, the time between receiving the call that the fruit would be available and harvesting the vineyard ourselves was less than 8 hours! How’s THAT for hustle?

            Speaking of, we’ll let you get to it. Enjoy perusing the notes and wines in your offer, and as always, please reach out should you have any questions. We’re here for you.

Old Vines Young Love,

Christina Turley & Tegan Passalacqua

Turley Wine Cellars

2016 Vintage Spring Release Tasting Notes

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.

2015 Vintage Fall Newsletter

Dear Friends,

            Tasting through the lineup of Fall wines is one of the main perks of being at Turley, as these are some of our favorites. In fact, it’s so enjoyable, we are often forced to do it more than once, just to reallllly get the truest sense of each of these individual wines, as well as an accurate picture of the overall vintage. It’s work, we swear. Ah, the sacrifices we make for our jobs…! (hic) These wines have benefitted from the additional few months in bottle, and will be even more ready and a-rarin’ to go by the time they reach you. As always, though, we respectfully request that you wait until the door has closed behind the delivery person before you rip into an Old Vines; it’s only fair, considering he won’t be able to do the same until he finishes his shift.

            After our diligent work on your behalf, tasting through all 16 (!) of the wines on this release, it’s clear that the 2015 vintage is most reminiscent of the wines of 2013: dense, concentrated, with incredible depth and complexity. The only difference is that while the 2013 wines had some of the strongest tannins we’ve seen in a Zinfandel, the 2015 wines are more silky, approachable, and luscious. This 2013 comparison bodes well, given that it was one of the best and most well-received Turley vintages to date.

            We also have a couple of introductions to make: first up, we have a new addition to the Old Vines cadre. After a long, literal dry spell here in California, in which we saw more and more old vineyards succumb to financial or weather-related challenges, sources for this beloved wine were near-impossible to find. Lucky for us, our winemaker & head vineyard manager Tegan Passalacqua has a nose like an old-vine-detecting bloodhound, and he tracked down a stellar new site from Lodi, with plantings from 1907 and the 1950’s. Finally, we have a little more of this wine to go around, which you will see reflected in your offer.

Larry is the one on the right; just read his belt

            We’re also introducing a new wine with some very old roots: the Whitney Tennessee Vineyard Zinfandel, from a pre-Prohibition planting in Alexander Valley, Sonoma. Named for one of Larry’s four daughters (ever wondered what the 4 stars on the cork stood for?) the wine is an excellent addition to the family. Longstanding members may remember a wine with the same name from the mid-1990’s, though this is a separate vineyard that Turley purchased in 2009.

            Speaking of new additions, Larry’s oldest daughter Christina, the winery’s Director of Sales, married fellow wino & Rosenthal Wine Merchant’s West Coast Director Ben Andersen this summer; another daughter, Nell Montana Turley, Lt. Junior Grade USCG, performed the ceremony. Christina even managed not to spill any of the ’99 Hayne Petite Syrah they celebrated with on her dress, and Larry is so very proud.

Old Vines Young Love,

   Turley Wine Cellars

2015 Vintage Fall Release Tasting Notes

Tasting Notes

2015 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.

2015 “The White Coat” White Wine, California

Though the blend has changed over the years, White Coat (named for Larry’s past as an Emergency Room physician) comprises rich, textured Roussanne from Rattlesnake Ridge on Howell Mountain moderated by acidity and structure of Grenache Blanc from Pesenti Vineyard. Recently we’ve added a bit of Vermentino from Amador, as well as some extra Grenache Blanc and a little Verdelho from Lodi. The result is a unique, dynamic white wine that is truly California.

Our most well-balanced, refreshing, and satiating White Coat to date. Golden stone fruit on the nose, with a healthy seasoning of white pepper spice from the Roussanne grown on high-elevation Howell Mountain. As the vines have matured, we’ve added a touch more of the Grenache Blanc from the calcareous soils in the Pesenti vineyard, lending fresh crisp fruits on the palate. This is a serious white wine, the likes of which you can’t find anywhere else!

2015 “Cedarman” Zinfandel, Howell Mountain

Cedarman is a proprietary blend of fruit from both Rattlesnake Ridge and Dragon Vineyards. Although primarily Zinfandel, we use a small amount of Petite Syrah from the Rattlesnake vineyard as well. The result is a truly powerful, dense and wild wine, long on flavor.

There’s a reason Howell Mountain is such a lauded and sought-after source: nowhere else in Napa Valley, or all of California for that matter, do you find so much flavor and texture packed in a single wine. Robust spice, predominantly white & black pepper, complemented by dark purple fruits comprise the nose. The palate is remarkably approachable, with the distinctive terroir showing up in the well-structured tannins and long, expansive finish. Decant the Cedarman to enjoy the wine’s progression over the course of an evening.

2015 “Dogtown Vineyard” Zinfandel, Lodi

Planted in 1944, the Dogtown Vineyard is farmed by Turley Wine Cellars. This head-trained, own-rooted vineyard is within the Clements Hills AVA, which has more topography than the rest of Lodi. The rolling hills are composed of clay and volcanic soils, and vine yields are consistently the lowest of all our vineyards.

Dogtown, you beautiful, miniscule, jewel of a vineyard. You’ve done it again. Dark, intoxicating flowers on the nose, with freshly-grated baking spices strewn throughout. The palate is an exercise in perfectly structured elegance: lush & smooth at first, and—with the best natural acidity of any other vineyard in Lodi—a texture that downright vibrates, all the way through to the finish.

2015 “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.

If savory seasonings are more up your alley than sweets, if the idea of herbs de Provence on everything sounds completely reasonable, if listening to “Scarborough Fair” makes you hungry, then do we have the wine for you. Brooding blue fruits are a perfect foil to the darkly aromatic herbs and stone-filled underbrush on the nose. The multi-textured palate belies its mountain source, with more cool blue fruit and well-defined tannins. If you’ve loved the Howell Mountain wines like Rattlesnake & Dragon but never tried the Fredericks, don’t dawdle—drink up!

2015 “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 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.

Pure precision. The 2015 Hayne Zinfandel is enthralling, perfumed with dark red fruits and fresh rose petals on the inviting nose. The flavor is strongly satisfying, striking the perfect balance between beautifully ripe yet crisp fruits, powerful textures, and a dense complexity that manages to stay nimble when it strikes your palate. Inherently well-structured, this is a wine that could benefit from some time in your cellar, though additional aging is not necessary to appreciate the many pleasures this wine will have to offer for years to come.

2015 “Heminway Vineyard” 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. Grown by Jay Heminway, the vines benefit from the moderating climate above Lake Hennessey. The wines are classic Napa Valley mountain fruit with great tannin. 

The 2015 Heminway bangs all the drums. These vines are located in the east-facing meadow of the “tip top” vineyard, allowing the fruit to maintain freshness, acidity, and complexity, without getting baked in the afternoon sun. Freshly cracked black pepper, savory dark blue fruits, and fragrant herbs reminiscent of the Northern Rhône Valley abound. The mountain tannins are substantial and satiating, tempered by the lively acidity and extended out on the finish.

2015 “Judge Bell” Zinfandel, Amador County

As our new 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 & briary fruits.

Step back in time with this wine, hailing from 110-year-old ungrafted vines. The nose is darkly red-and-black-fruited at first pass, flecked with stone, citrus zest, and dark chocolate. The palate rushes forth with fresh juice, like biting into a perfectly ripened fruit, and finishes with more structure and grip to the granitic tannins than ever before. Judge Bell is so uniquely Amador, and further proof of the vastly varying terroirs possible in our fair state.

2015 “Old Vines” Zinfandel, California

Old Vines is composed of a variety of old 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 41 to 129 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.

Given that old vine vineyards (and their yields) have been on the decline for quite some time, and with 2014’s woefully small Old Vines harvest fresh in our mind, our intrepid winemaker Tegan Passalacqua set out on a mission to discover a “new” old vine vineyard. Let it be truly old, but healthy; silky, yet concentrated; and have beautiful, succulent fruit, without compromising on tannin & texture. And lo, he hath delivered! Please welcome the Steacy Vineyard in Lodi as the newest addition to the multi-vineyard sourced 2015 Old Vines. Planted in sandy soils, Steacy’s vines hail from 1907 & the 1950’s, and they lend an excellent lift and approachable charm to one of our favorite wines. Dark brambly and well-spiced red fruits on the deeply fragrant nose are prolonged on the palate, followed by classic Old Vines texture: an excellent acid/tannin synergy, and the kind of natural depth, complexity, and grace that can only come from truly old vines.

2015 “Pesenti Vineyard” Zinfandel, Paso Robles

This certified organic estate-owned vineyard was planted in the 1920’s 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, and chalk and floral characteristic aromas unique to the site, and to Zinfandel in general.

Paso Robles has continued to be the hardest-hit region by the drought; in 2015, the Pesenti vineyard yielded only 1 ton to the acre, sometimes even less!  Regardless, the wine is so unmistakably Pesenti: vibrant, bright red fruits like raspberry on the nose, with just a dash of white pepper and distilled minerals. The palate has more density and concentration than years previous, all of which is mitigated by a vigorous acidity, culminating in a wine that is pure pleasure.

2015 “Salvador Vineyard” Zinfandel, Contra Costa County

Salvador Vineyard in Contra Costa County is a paragon of old vine Zinfandel. These organically farmed vines were planted on their own roots in 1896. The roots are free to roam deeply as the soil is solid sand for 40 feet down. The wine is stunning: suave, complex and powerfully elegant.  

The Salvador feels like truly old-school California, reminiscent of what wine might’ve tasted like when it was first made from these vines well over 120 years ago! Aromas of dark berries, peach skin, sandalwood & leather make this one of the most intriguing iterations of Salvador to date. The palate is intensely concentrated, co-mingled with an energizing acidity. These ancient, ungrafted vines in sandy soils make for some of the suavest tannins and most elongated finishes around.  

2015 “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 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 ripe fruit flavors from this historic certified organic vineyard.

With an extra 40 years on these vines and some of the steepest slopes around, the Ueberroth is like the Pesenti Vineyard in a tux: more polish, sophistication, and power. Intense purple and black fruits, refined & with great focus; unsurprising given the absurdly tiny yields of 0.7 tons to the acre! As a result, the acidity and mineral-laden tannins play greater roles without sacrificing the satiating balance and weight that can only come from these archaic, deeply-rooted vines.

2015 “Whitney Tennessee” Zinfandel, Alexander Valley

Everything old is new again, and this wine is no exception. This small, estate-owned, pre-Prohibition vineyard was purchased by the winery in 2009, and we’ve been slowly but surely repairing the soils through organic methods until the wine was ready to make its debut, six years later. 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 throughout. Located just off Alexander Valley Road in Sonoma, the wine was a part of the Old Vines blend until it was ready to make its debut with this stellar vintage! Long-time Turley followers may remember a wine with the same name from the mid-1990’s, though this is a different source.

Lots of dark fruit on the nose, with a touch of cigar box and spice. The palate is all brambly fruits, black cherries & raspberries up front, with a fresh, uplifting acidity and mild tannins on the finish.

2015 “Zampatti Vineyard” Zinfandel, Sonoma County

Located in Sonoma County, this vineyard 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 Palomino & 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. 

As always, the Zampatti lures you in with enticing aromas of pure red and blue fruits; this year’s version, a touch darker and denser, has a hint of game as well. The palate is thoroughly rewarding, with luscious high-toned fruits, well-integrated tannins, and a thoroughly delicious, nimble texture that lingers extensively on the finish.

2015 “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 is one of the most unique wines in California. Powerful and inky in its youth, the wine becomes more feminine and refined with age and will outlive us all.

Dark, substantial fruits on the nose, black ink, purple flowers—this wine begs to be revisited over and over. Yields were once again minimal in this vineyard, but the flavors are massive: it’s the ripest version of Hayne we’ve seen in a while, with the elevated acidity to match. With its unrivaled balance and depth, it’s easy to see why the Hayne reigns supreme. Give it a vigorous decant, or it will be all the more stellar after some time in your cellar.

2015 “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 mixed 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. 

With eyes closed and your nose deep in the glass, you’d be forgiven for thinking you were smelling your entire dinner meal, laid out on the table before you. Savory aromas of rosemary, herbs de Provence, dark flowers of all kinds, well-marinated and smoked meats, fennel bulb, plum skins, spearmint…the list goes on. The palate echoes the nose and manages to add a few more layers, with medium weight, refreshing acidity, and flavorful, lengthy tannins that persist long after you’ve placed your glass back on the table, leaned back, and exhaled with pleasure.  

2015 “Pesenti Vineyard” Petite Syrah, Paso Robles

This estate-owned and certified organic vineyard was planted by the Turley team using cuttings from the Hayne vineyard. Head-trained, dry-farmed and planted in limestone, the wines are dark, smooth, dense and classic Petite Syrah.  As the vines age the wines are increasingly expressive of the Pesenti Vineyard with minerality, savory spices and high tone pepper.

Signature Pesenti Petite Syrah: deep purple fruits, white pepper, and dense garrigue on the nose. Savory herbs reminiscent of the Northern Rhône, and medium-plus tannin that round out the wine nicely as a whole; it’s easy to see why these varieties succeed so well in Paso Robles. Decanting will add an extra dimension of delight.