2011 Turley Zinfandel Vineyard 101
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Tasting notes
Turley's 2011 Zinfandel Vineyard 101 is one of the more floral, high-toned wines in this range. Crushed flowers, tobacco, dried herbs and anise all waft from the glass. Orange peel, spices and white pepper add complexity and nuance as the wine opens up in the glass. This warm, early-ripening parcel, which also contains some Carignane, yields a Zinfandel endowed with striking perfume and nuance.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Good bright red. Captivating high-pitched aromas of crushed cherry, pungent orange zest and chalk show pinot-like lift and coolness; conveys a low-pH aromatic character. Spicy and razor-sharp in the mouth, with terrific lift to the flavors of cherry, spices and flowers. Finishes with excellent juicy cut. I would never have guessed this wine was carrying 15.9% alcohol. This wine is always high in natural acidity, notes winemaker Tegan Passalacqua, adding that the pH here is 3.38.
The 2011 Zinfandel Vineyard 101 emerges with sweet red cherries, flowers, mint and hard candy. This is a decidedly fresh, vibrant wine endowed with plenty of acidity. At the same time, it is delicate, pure and beguiling from start to finish.
The 2011 Zinfandel Vineyard 101 emerges with sweet red cherries, flowers, mint and hard candy. This is a decidedly fresh, vibrant wine endowed with plenty of acidity. At the same time, it is delicate, pure and beguiling from start to finish. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2018. This is a thrilling set of wines from Larry Turley, Ehren Jordan and Tegan Passalacqua. Tasting this wide a range of 2010 and 2011 Zinfandels and Petite Syrahs is like taking a master class in California terroir. The house style favors an expression of Zinfandel and Petite Syrah built on aromatic intensity and elegance, which Jordan credits to gentle extractions. At times, the wines come across as quite Burgundian in the way they express richness but not excess heaviness. Over the last few years, the wines have become a little more laid-back and less overtly ripe, which is a net positive given that the starting point for all of these wines is fruit of exceptional quality. The Petite Syrahs in particular are noteworthy because they are among the few wines that find the elegance Petite Syrah is capable of, while avoiding the massive tannins that are so typical elsewhere. The 2010s are strong across the board, although Turley did not bottle a few of their wines from sites that got scorched by the heat spikes, which includes the Highway 101 and Zampatti. The 2011s are more variable, as befits a vintage that had much less favorable conditions overall. Tel. (707) 963-0940
About the producer
Founded in 1993, Turley Cellars is a leading name in California Zinfandel and Petite Syrah. The winery has helped preserve the state’s old-vine heritage, farming historic vineyards organically and producing distinctive single-vineyard wines known for their character and longevity.