Turley is a famous name in California wine. Actually, it's two famous names.
Turley Wine Cellars brings old-vine Zinfandel to the world, and it's owned by Larry Turley. He's a former Santa Rosa ER doctor who co-founded Frog's Leap before opening his own winery in 1993.
The other famous Turley is his sister, Helen, who helped Larry get his winery going but hasn't been involved since the mid-1990s. Marcassin is the label under which she and her husband, John Wetlaufer, produce small-production Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs. She has also consulted on wines from exclusive producers like Bryant Family Vineyards, Colgin Cellars and Blankiet Estate.
Larry Turley made his first vintage at the family property in St. Helena. Seven years ago, he bought the old Pesenti winery in Templeton, just south of Paso Robles, and he makes wine in both places for a total of 14,000 cases a year.
Larry Turley and his sidekick, longtime winemaker Ehren Jordan remain the reference point, along with Mike Officer at Carlisle in Sonoma and the Biale Family in Napa, for world-class, quintessential old vine Zinfandels. Sadly, few California Zinfandels reach these heights. 2009 is a softer, lighter-styled vintage for Turley, but the wines are already charming and irresistible. They should be ready to drink when released and best consumed in their first 4-6 years of life. The exceptions are a few of the old vine cuvees as well as their Petite Syrahs, which are all 30-50-year wines. Surprisingly, the alcohol levels are nearly as high as usual, running between 15.1% and 16.5% for the Zinfandels and 1 to 2% lower in the Petite Syrahs. Turley Cellars’ Petite Syrahs are something to behold. As stated above, they are all 30- to 50-year wines and even in a more fruit-forward, slightly lighter vintage such as 2009, they deliver massive fruit and richness, yet possess considerably lower alcohols than any of the Zinfandels. Although they can be drunk young, their true character tends to emerge at ages 10-20 or later as they are the ultimate anti-oxidant when it comes to wine. All of them exhibits dense opaque purple colors, full body and notes of graphite, blackberries, blueberries and incense as well as superb purity and density. - Robert Parker |
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| Pris: 220,00 DKK |
 The dark garnet/plum-hued 2009 Zinfandel Duarte Vineyard possesses abundant sandy, loamy soil notes intermixed with hints of kirsch, black currants, sweet tannins and a medium-bodied, front end-loaded, fruity style meant to be consumed over the next 3-4 years. "Robert Parker" |
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| Pris: 325,00 DKK |
| Lager antal: 5 |
 The same can be said for the 2009 Zinfandel Rattlesnake Ridge, a high elevation, cooler climate vineyard. Its dark ruby/purple hue is followed by notes of blueberries, blackberries and damp, mossy, forest floor scents. The wine possesses fabulous fruit, admirable ripeness and a rich, full-bodied mouthfeel and plenty of power as well as fruit. "Robert Parker" |
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| Pris: 500,00 DKK |
| Lager antal: 22 |
 It was difficult to chose a favorite although the 2009 Petite Syrah Rattlesnake Ridge, Hayne Vineyard and Library Vineyard are the three greatest in terms of concentration, depth and potential complexity. As I have said so many times, Petite Sirah is by far the most underrated varietal in California, so it is reassuring to see how many producers continue to make remarkable wines with around 13-14% alcohol as well as 20-40+ years of aging potential.
Robert Parker 94-96
MAX 3 fl. pr. kunde. |
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| Pris: 380,00 DKK |
| Lager antal: 68 |
 One of my favorites is the 2006 Zinfandel Dragon Vineyard, which is actually from some of the younger vines that Turley bottles separately. This Howell Mountain offering tips the scales at nearly 16% alcohol and offers a southern Rhone Valley-like notes of lavender, kirsch liqueur, pepper, spice, and loads of blackberry and sweet cherry fruit. The wine has decent acidity, ripe tannin, and a long, heady finish. This is a seductive, complex, and beautiful Zinfandel.
Robert Parker 91 -93 |
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| Pris: 320,00 DKK |
 Acidity is not an issue for the 2006 Zinfandel Dogtown, but it is just uninspiring and not as exciting as some of the other Zinfandels from Turley. The wine has loads of earthiness, some crushed rock and berry fruit, and a straightforward, peppery spiciness. Drink it over the next 3-4 years. |
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