This wine (15.9% alcohol) emerges from a head-pruned vineyard near Calistoga planted in 1933. It offers up smoky, roasted herb, prune, blackberry and raspberry scents with a touch of caramel. In the mouth, it is a substantial, full-bodied, super-concentrated, layered Zinfandel with beautifully integrated acidity, alcohol, and tannin. Already stunning, it promises to last for 7-8 years.
These are the Zinfandels of the 1996 vintage. Critics will whine that they are the most alcoholic wines of the vintage, and yes, they are among the most potent. Yet they are unequivocally the most complex, concentrated, and complete wines of the vintage - offering layers of flavor, extraordinary textures, and unbelievable balance. Readers must certainly be aware of the fact that they have become almost impossible to obtain because of their huge popularity. Zinfandels such as Turley's set the standards for other producers, and encourage people to search out old, head-pruned parcels of Zinfandel vines and treat them as they would Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Noir - with tender, loving care. Tasting these Zinfandels from bottle is a treat.
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