Zinfandel of the Month is a regular feature on Zinfandel Chronicles. Keep in mind that although the Zinfandel of the Month might be an older bottle, the current vintage will be one you can find at retail or via the mailing list.
The February Zinfandel of the Month is the 2012 Turley Juvenile.
Turley Wine Cellars was founded in 1993 by Larry Turley and specializes in small lots of Zinfandel and Petite Sirah from some of California’s most historic and treasured vineyards. Turley now makes 28 separate wines from 35 different vineyards, some with vines that date back to the late 1800’s. Tegan Passalacqua is the Director of Winemaking at Turley and has been instrumental in revitalizing the brand.
The vines that make up Juvenile range in age from about 6-25 years, and are sourced from 15 vineyards across California, including Hayne, Ueberroth, Pesenti, Salvador, and Vineyard 101.
Crimson in color. 15.5%% ABV. Super nose of black fruits, briar and anise. Plush and jammy with juicy acidity. Blackberry, raspberry compote, strawberry and vanilla on the palate. Lacks the depth of fruit that the Single Vineyard Designates (SVD’s) deliver. The being said the wine is well made and over delivers at the $20 price point. Drink this year while the SVD’s continue to develop.
My rating: 90 points.
With all due respect to Carlisle and Bedrock, Turley is arguably the best Zinfandel producer in California. Exceptional vineyards sources throughout the state of California and no detail spared in the winemaking process. The wines are simply better than ever.
Turley wines are available via the mailing list and periodically at retail. Turley has tasting rooms in both Amador and Paso Robles. If you are not on the mailing list, this is an easy way to secure bottles. Both are not to be missed if you are in the area.
Turley was a big winner in The 2015 Zinfandel Chronicles Power Rankings.
The timing of this blog post is not an accident. The 2014 Juvenile was just released to mailing list members and is not to be missed.
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