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 right around 50 separate wines from 47 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.
Pesenti Vineyard, in Paso Robles, is estate-owned and certified organic. The vineyard was planted in the 1920’s.
Tecolate is a 60/40 blend of Grenache and Carignane and is only available in the Paso Robles tasting room.
Purple in color. 15.1% ABV. Pretty nose of black fruits, earth, licorice and pepper. Full bodied with ample acidity. Tart black cherry, currants and aspirin on the palate. Exceptional length on the finish. The hero here is the nose and despite the palate being somewhat disjointed upon opening the wine is easy enough to enjoy and the aspirin taste dissipated with some time in the glass. If I had to do this over I would decant the wine for an hour or so. Best over the next several years.
My rating: 90 points.
With all due respect to Carlisle, Turley is arguably the best Zinfandel producer in California. Certainly the scale of the operation is second to none. 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 fared well in The 2018 Zinfandel Chronicles Power Rankings.