| Score: |
97 RP.
"Larry Turley has produced three 2013 Zinfandels from the Howell Mountain AVA, which he was one of the first to exploit in terms of Zinfandel. Nearly 25 years later, he continues making some of the finest wines this ancient grape can produce. The 2013 Zinfandel Dragon Vineyard from Howell Mountain originates from one of the highest elevation sites in the Turley portfolio. Estate-owned, this vineyard (at 2,400 feet, well above the fog line and east-facing as well) is planted in volcanic and rocky soils. It has always produced one of the killer Zinfandels, and the 2013 is no exception. It has a saturated dense ruby/purple color, a seamless integration of acidity, tannin and alcohol, stunning boysenberry, blueberry, and black raspberry fruit, and great complexity for a Zinfandel. Full-bodied, with a stunningly proportioned texture, terrific purity and palate presence, at the same time its acidity gives it a zestiness and an ethereal quality. This is a stunner and a Zinfandel that’s drinkable now, but also capable of evolving . . . . Probably no one in Northern California has done more for the renaissance and resurrection of old vine Zinfandel than Larry Turley. He started Turley Cellars after selling most of his interest in Frog’s Leap Winery to his original partner, John Williams. The Turley Cellars project was founded in 1993, and is now over 20 years of age. The great thing about Larry Turley is that he’s quick to admit he’s never met an old vine he’s not fond of. As a result, they farm and buy fruit from 35 different vineyards, with some of them dating back to the late 1800s, long before Prohibition. There are at least 30-plus separate wines, and some super-talented winemakers have worked for Turley – first Ehren Jordan and more recently Tegan Passalacqua. I have praised these wines from the beginning and, to my surprise, older vintages . . . have aged remarkably well . . . . Turley’s Petite Syrahs are probably 50-year wines . . ." eRobertParker.com #218, Apr 2015 |