New ‘do: the Estate Zinfandel vines are pruned and ready for their close-up.
Tasting Notes
2023 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.
2023 Turley “Juvenile” Zinfandel, California
Though the vast majority of our wines are single vineyard designates, Juvenile is actually composed of a variety of young vines that have been replanted in several of our old vine sites.We tag the younger vines then pick them separately and make a distinct wine. Juvenile vines range in age from about 6-25 years, and we pull from a selection of our best vineyards across California.
Exuberant and expressive! Classic Zinfandel spice, brightly fruited and well structured, delightfully juicy and just downright delicious. Dark raspberry, blue fruits, soft tannins, and deeply pleasurable. This wine punches so far above its weight it’s in a class of its own. 90 pts AG
2023 Turley “Pesenti Vineyard” Zinfandel, Paso Robles
This certified organic estate-owned vineyard was planted in the 1920s on primarily limestone soil. Though the vines are head-trained and dry-farmed, the soil plays the most important role in distinguishing this vineyard on the west side of Paso Robles. The wines have a brightness, with chalk and floral characteristic aromas unique to the site, and to Zinfandel in general.
Certified organic vines planted in the 1920s in white mineral-rich rocky soils. Ripe, fresh, bright red cherry & raspberry jam, clove, and chocolate. Copious baking spices, chalk dust, and a hint of sweet pipe tobacco. Substantial, luscious, and utterly alluring. (92-94 pts AG)
2023 Turley “Estate” Zinfandel, Napa Valley
This vineyard is special to all of us here at the winery; right in our backyard, it’s what we see every day at work (and from the family home!). We have slowly and steadily planted additional head-trained dry-farmed Zinfandel vines to complement the original planting from the mid-1990s, and the entire property is certified organic. Taking a page from our beloved old vine vineyards, we’ve also planted several of the varieties most commonly interplanted in old Zinfandel vineyards, including Carignane, Trousseau, and Cinsault.
Certified organic, head-trained, dry-farmed field blend of vines planted at our winery in the heart of Napa Valley. Gently warmed, ripe dark fruits, classic Napa purity and dynamics. Refined rusticity, dialed-in and concentrated, with gentle tannins. Very well balanced and drinking excellently now. (90-92 pts AG)
2023 Turley “dragon VIneyard” Zinfandel, Howell Mountain
Dragon Vineyard is an estate-farmed, certified organic vineyard. Planted at 2400 feet at one of the highest points on Howell Mountain, the vineyard sits well above the fog line and faces east, first to receive the soft morning sun. These important features, along with the rocky, red volcanic soil, make for a unique, full-bodied, powerful Zinfandel. This is often Larry’s favorite since it goes with what he most likes to cook: bold, flavorful, spice-laden meats laid over an open fire. There’s a reason Howell Mountain was the first designated sub-AVA in Napa Valley: the wines from this hallowed ridge are the most distinctive in the entire region.
Certified organic and planted at 2400’ above Napa Valley, these wines are among the most distinctive in the entire region. Powerfully deep on the nose and equally profound on the palate. Heaps of spice, blood orange and dark purple fruits, white pepper and savory mountain herbs. Smooth, refined, and precise mountain tannins. Will age exceptionally. (90-92 pts AG)
2023 Turley “cedarman” Zinfandel, Howell Mountain
Cedarman is a proprietary blend of certified organic fruit from some of the highest elevation plantings on Howell Mountain. Primarily Zinfandel, we use a small amount of Petite Syrah as well, resulting in a truly powerful, dense and wild wine, long on flavor.
A proprietary assemblage of fruit from the Dragon and Rattlesnake Ridge vineyards, all certified organic. Intense and incredibly aromatic, like a cold snowy morning on a mountaintop. Ripe brambly fruits, dried herbs, serious & satisfying, with long lingering tannins and brooding yet gratifying finish. (91-93 pts AG)
2023 Turley “Buck Cobb Vineyard” Zinfandel, Amador County
Planted at 1500 feet on the volcanic, granitic hillside near our property in Amador, the Cobb Vineyard Zinfandel is an homage to “Buck” Cobb from whom we purchased the vineyard and the Karly property in Amador. We even added a little bi-plane symbol to the label to commemorate Buck’s time as an aerobatic pilot! The rocky conditions and more extreme weather (including snow) in this dry-farmed vineyard make for a hearty, robust Zinfandel.
Organically farmed head-trained vines planted at 1500’ in the granite and quartz soils of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Ripe red, bold blue and plummy purple fruits with alpine spices, gravel, herbs & lavender. Super fine, well-integrated stony tannins lend elegant texture to this expressive and charismatic mountain Zin. (90-92 pts AG)
2023 Turley “Del barba” Zinfandel, contra costa
Contra Costa is a delta where the San Joaquin and Sacramento rivers meet, and these head-trained vines are planted in deep dehli blow sand, made up of decomposed granite coming down from the Sierra Mountains. The resulting wine embodies the best the delta has to offer: silken textures, ultra fine tannin, and dark saline fruits.
Hailing from head-trained vines planted in the deep Dehli blow sands of Contra Costa. Silky dark berry fruits bound from the glass, along with mint and nectarine. With a satin-like texture on the palate and a delicious juicy finish, Del Barba is beautifully energetic and available. (91-93 pts AG)
2023 Turley “Estate” Petite Syrah, Napa Valley
Planted adjacent to the Estate Zinfandel, this Petite is also certified organic. The Wappo Indians used to roam throughout the region, and obsidian arrowheads are commonplace in the rocky volcanic soils. The wine is a classic Napa Valley Petite Syrah: dark and brooding on the nose, bright and vibrant on the palate.
Certified organic mixed planting that includes trellised and head-trained, dry-farmed heritage vines. Dense, dark fruits like plum and black cherry alongside sublime savory smoked meats, iron, and cocoa powder. Polished tannins and a smooth, deep, luxurious texture. Give it time and it will age beautifully. (93-95 pts AG)
2023 Turley “Kirschenmann Vineyard” Zinfandel, Lodi
The Kirschenmann is close to our hearts as our winemaker, Tegan Passalacqua, owns and farms this vineyard. The ungrafted vines were planted in 1915 in the silica-rich sandy soils of the east side of the Mokelumne River AVA. Thanks to the river’s cool waters and delta breezes, these head-trained, dry-farmed vines are constantly protected from the heat. In the grand tradition of old-vine field blends, the vineyard has small amounts of Mondeuse, Cinsault, and Carignane.
Organically farmed, own-rooted, head-trained and dry-farmed vines planted in 1915 in the silica-rich sandy soils of the east side of the Mokelumne River AVA. Potent, perfumed, and incredibly deep. Redolent of cocoa, pineapple grass, roast lamb and herby meat marinade. Complex and dynamic, with silky smooth tannins. Gorgeous. (92-94 pts AG)
2023 Turley “casa nuestra” red wine, Napa Valley
Connoisseurs of Napa Valley field blends will likely recognize the vineyard, made primarily under the eponymous label and farmed organically since 1979. For the formerly uninitiated, Casa Nuestra is nearly adjacent to the Turley Estate property in Napa Valley, just across the nearby Napa River. The vineyard is planted to a Mediterranean mix of Petite Syrah, Zinfandel, Alicante, Carignane, Napa Gamay, Négrette, Mourvèdre, Refosco, and even Chenin Blanc.
Old vine, organically farmed Napa field blend that is primarily Petite Syrah-based, with some Zin, Carignane, Mourvedre, Alicante, & Chenin Blanc. Ripe, warming, and comforting, with plump red and purple fruits, leather, and sweet spices. Classic Napa Valley nobility, bold and flavorful. (92-94 pts AG)
2023 Turley “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.
Certified organic, dry-farmed estate vines descended from Hayne budwood. Dense and opaque, with dark fruit aromas of currants, blackberries, & crème de cassis alongside fresh ink, bittersweet chocolate, spice and leather. Supple tannin and an opulent but nevertheless refined texture balances the deeply concentrated, intense flavors. (90-92 pts AG)
2023 Turley “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 then-Montessori teacher Alice Waters, now known as the pioneering chef of farm-to-table cuisine at Chez Panisse.
At the top of the Vaca Mountains in Napa, this organic vineyard sits at 1700’ between Howell Mountain and Pritchard Hill. Very low yields in ’23 means stunning, highly concentrated wine—but precious little of it. Wild blackberry, grilled wagyu, plum, spice & a whiff of tobacco, with layers of tannin and structure. This mountain Zin hits all the notes of high-end Napa Cabernet for less than 1/3 the price. (94-96 pts AG)
2023 Turley “WHITNEY TENNESSEE” Zinfandel, ALEXANDER Valley
This small, estate-owned, pre-Prohibition vineyard in Sonoma County was purchased by the winery in 2009, and we’ve since converted all to organic farming. Planted on loam and various gravel soils, the Whitney Tennessee vineyard—named for one of Larry’s four daughters—is a mixed planting as well, with small amounts of Petite Syrah and Carignane vines sprinkled throughout.
Organically farmed pre-Prohibition vines planted head-trained and dry-farmed in the loam & gravel of Sonoma. Rich, dark blue fruits, black cherry, dried flowers and incense. Savory and earthier than the others, with serious structure. Will benefit from time. (91-94 pts AG)
2023 Turley “Vineyard 101” Zinfandel, Alexander Valley
Located in Sonoma, this pre-Prohibition vineyard is estate-owned and certified organic. At only 2½ acres, it is the smallest site we make into a vineyard designate, which is a shame, since the wines are consistently a staff favorite. The wines are aromatic and light, with lots of fruit and great acidity. Vineyard 101 was the first old-vine vineyard Larry purchased, and it is the longest-running estate bottling we’ve ever made.
Tiny certified organic vineyard planted pre-Prohibition in Sonoma. An absolute gem and house favorite year-in, year-out. Sweet cherry, spice, mint, & cola. Refreshing and zippy with luscious texture, this wine is impeccably balanced and absolutely captivating. (90-92 pts AG)
2023 Turley “Bedrock Vineyard” Zinfandel, Sonoma Valley
Hailing from 1888 and owned by Joel Peterson (founder of Ravenswood) and his son Morgan Twain-Peterson of Bedrock Wine Co., the Bedrock Vineyard is truly an iconic site. Right in the heart of Sonoma Valley, these ancient vines are planted amidst volcanic rocks and Los Robles cobbly loam soil that has sloughed down from Monte Rosso. This is a layered, complex wine, owing perhaps to the small amounts of Petite Syrah and Alicante Bouschet that are also found in our organically-farmed block of Bedrock.
Organically farmed, head-trained vines dating back to 1888 in Sonoma. Blue & purple fruited, iron & steel, mint chocolate chip & stone. Deep, intense, yet well-balanced and structured. Will benefit from time. (90-92 pts AG)
2023 Turley “Dickerson Vineyard” Zinfandel, napa Valley
Certified organic and planted 1937, Dickerson hails from the same alluvial bench at the base of the Mayacamas as the greatest wines to ever come from Napa. This is the sole bottling for Turley, a true one-of-one!
Beauty, power, grace and structure abound in this singular wine; imagine a spring version of the Hayne Zinfandel and you’d be close (indeed, it’s less than 1 mile south of Hayne). Cherry, spice, cedar & dried leaves with pure, classic old-vine Napa Zin charisma. Pretty, precise, polished, blue-blooded and downright exceptional. (92-94 pts AG)