It’s been a while since I have posted about a Turley Wine Cellars wine. While Turley still makes up a good percentage of my wine room, only a handful are from the Central Coast. I posted sometime back about how I became a Turley girl, but let me refresh the story for you today.
I first fell in love with Turley when its Old Vines Zinfandel started showing up on DC restaurant menus for about $100/bottle. It was something delicious and elusive, to be enjoyed for a special occasion like Valentines Day, a birthday, or an anniversary. And you couldn’t just get on their mailing list at the time – you had to wait. So, it was a Huge Big Deal when I made it onto their list. We’ve been buying their wines ever since.
Way back when, when we used to get down to the Paso Robles AVA for wine tasting, we “discovered” Pesenti winery as having some fabulous reds for reasonable prices. When my favorite Zin producer Larry Turley took them over in 2000, it gave us some acknowledgement that we were not the only ones who thought Pesenti Vineyard produced great fruit!
Today I am presenting a single Turley Petite Syrah from the Pesenti Vineyard. Winery notes come from their website. Any errors are mine and mine alone.
2018 Turley Petite Syrah Pesenti Vineyard, Paso Robles, 15.1% ABV, $38/$65* (#975)
About Pesenti Vineyard Petite Syrah: “This estate-owned and certified organic vineyard was planted by the Turley team using cuttings from the Hayne vineyard. Head-trained, dry-farmed and planted in limestone, the wines are dark, smooth, dense and classic Petite Syrah. As the vines age the wines are increasingly expressive of the Pesenti Vineyard with minerality, savory spices and high tone pepper.”
Winemaker Notes (captured previously from their website): “Dark purple fruits, black pepper, bitter chocolate, and a touch of wild game—reminiscent of a modern northern Rhône wine. Silky, well-resolved tannins and thoroughly well-rounded, the Pesenti Petite Syrah has come into its own. Ready to drink now at cellar temperature (about 55-65ºF) and will continue to over-deliver for many years to come thanks to the copious antioxidants.” 93-95 points Vinous, 92 points Wine Advocate.
My Review: Inky purple in the glass. Brambleberry, blueberry, and alcohol on the nose. Rich palate of juicy, dark, berries, including blackberry, black, raspberry, and blueberries. Very grapey. All the fruit flavors are wrapped in alcohol, with grippy tannins and a licorice and chalky finish. After opening up, it smooths out, reinforcing my opinion that this wine needed to be decanted and has a long life ahead. April 2023
*$38 is what we paid via their mailing list. Current retail price is $65.
Amador County: “Nestled in the foothills of California’s Sierra Nevada mountain range, our Amador county tasting room in Plymouth is the home of the Gold Rush and the nation’s oldest vineyards.” Open by appointment for tastings: Thursday – Sunday 10 am – 5 pm, Monday 11 am – 4 pm.
Paso Robles: “A few miles inland of California’s storied Central Coast, Paso Robles is a pioneer’s paradise, where surfers, cowboys, vintners, farmers, and ranchers commingle amidst ancient vines, towering oak trees, and rolling hills.” Open by appointment for tastings: Thursday – Sunday 10 am – 4 pm.
© Decanting Monterey 2023
I think you should visit the Amador tasting room soon!