Lots of red fruit with raisin flavors. Nicely balanced fruit and acid without any heat despite 15.9 ABV. Really enjoyed this bottle; perfect with barbecue ribs .
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Upon opening wine had a high alcohol cutting through with notes of dried fruit especially raisin. After a while it transitioned into more red fruit like cranberry. Wine was great once it had the right amount of time
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Rather elegant for an Amador zin, not really showing it's 15.9% alcohol. Pretty cherry/kirsch aromas with a bit of white pepper, anise and hay on the nose. Has a lush, mouthfilling quality to it, unctuous without being heavy, lifted by lively acidity and a peppery back end. Starts with red fruits--cherry, pomegranate and bit of Robitussin cough syrup--but finishes with some orange peel and spice. Complex and quite interesting, this keeps your attention with each sip.
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30 minute decant, served ever so slightly chilled. Blueberries, cedar, graphite and liquorice on the nose. Really vibrant and peppery on the palate with lots of blue fruit and a core streak of cedar. Very long aniseed finish with signature Turley brambles. Really good pairing with pork burgers.
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I’m guessing this is peaked and quite good, fresh and light for Turley with nicely lifted nose of brambles and brush, a bit of acid, bitter cherry, moderate tannin and a decent cleanse to the longish palate. I like it.
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Pinot like with a light color and lithe, light palate of underbrush, leather, sour cherry and light tannic impact. Surprising but really quite nice. Reminds me a bit of a lightish zin I made from Grand Pere Vineyard in Amador back in 87, although mine was not at all good IMHO. Oh well. Still, I like Turley when they dial back the wine just a tad and maybe Teagan's departure will lead to such restraint. Not sure when he departed...
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Crimson in color. 15.9% ABV. Heady nose of brambly red fruits, licorice and pepper. Medium body with medium acidity. The heat on the palate is hard to overlook. Flavors of cherry, raspberry liqueur, cocoa and pepper. Medium length on the finish. Serve this at cellar temperature and pick your spots with this wine. Not for the faint of heart. Drink soon.
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Delicious with dark cherry and rich jam notes. Well balanced on the finish, this is a Zin in its prime. I would not wait much longer to drink the 2012.
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Another year in the cellar has not changed my opinion on this wine. I remain unimpressed. Seems light and lacking, the '12 Juvenile was a much better zin IMHO. Drink up.
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This medium red/garnet wine was served at approximately 60°F, which is ideal for maximizing its fruit and minimizing its lofty 15.9% alcohol. Packed with red currants, dark bramble fruits, licorice and pepper, it is a rich, full-bodied offering with fresh acidity and nicely integrated oak. The middle palate is solid and the medium-length finish is vibrant. Enjoy this well-crafted Zinfandel over the next 2-3 years, and be sure to serve it at the appropriate temperature. Drink now-2020.
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What a difference a year makes. Since my last tasting the wine has not lost any flavors. If anything it has gained some creaminess. Strawberry and sweet prune dominant held in this viscous juice which is savory. Gaining in strength this wine likely is still improving.
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Pop and pour then follow over several hours. A bit thin on the palate with decent nose and resolved tannins. Somewhat lacking in fruit, the acids have the upper hand. Doesn't appear to be in an awkward stage, sadly I think WYSIWYG.
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Consumed over three days... Night one this offering was thin and was dominated by some heat... Came back to it two nights later... much better with some nice fruit coming through and a weightier feel but still a little flat and the nose was still dominated with alcohol. Not a great Turley and one that doesn't seem to have a great future. Give it plenty of air now and drink up.
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Rich earthy aroma leads to an absolute jam packed sensation of prunes, sweet raisins strawberry and chocolate. Big jammy finish with an over the top alchohol percentage to match.
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Not one of the stronger offerings in the 2012 Turley lineup -- at least not right now. Have previously enjoyed this a lot. Incredibly primary, with the alcohol (15.9%) far too prominent, providing a biting bouquet, an astringent palate and a phenolic quality in the finish. Unsure of whether this can still pull together in the bottle and provide any pleasure down the road. Strongly suggest a generous decant prior to serving. ( = Pass, at least as it currently sits in the glass)
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If you like Zinfandel, then you'll probably find this one to be fantastic. A little jammy. Not crazy on the alcohol like some have been in the past. But, I don't think Zin is my thing. This one is better than some of the previous Turleys I've drank in the past couple months. Don't eat with crispy spring rolls and sweet chili sauce. It clashes. For me, the nose was better than the taste.
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Not surprisingly the first Amador County Zin i felt was 90+ comes from Turley. Bust of alcohol at pop, subsides into bright red cherry and cracked white pepper. Brambly body with fine tannins, finished with belt leather and loam, balanced acidity.
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Cold night. We missed the big snow storm here, but there is plenty of white stuff out there. Rosalie made meat loaf and mashed potatoes, classic comfort food. This was our first Judge Bell, and our first Amador County zin in a while. It was terrific. We could taste the influence of the limestones soils in Amador, with the Turley touch. Obviously, our impression is influenced by the meal, but this wine was nicely balanced for such a youngster, complex, fruity, spicy... Well done.
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Was not my favorite Turley. Definitely not a balanced wine. Although it opens with some nice dark, jammy flavors the weight of the wine is a little thin and the mid-palate and finish are totally dominated by the alcohol. It's the first time I have had this vineyard and will probably avoid it in the future.
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An exceptional wine overall. Absolutely gorgeous in the glass with wide slow creeping legs. Translucent ripe strawberry ruby vivaciousness. The nose is reticent and only hints at the big spicy brambly entry with a juicy finish that has a precise herbal mineral focus that fades back to juicy. I,m savin the rest until 2017+.
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Drank over 3 days on Paso vacation. Held up nicely into 3rd day but 2nd was best day. Had with smoked fish tacos from Ruddels Smokehouse. Balanced with Amador spice, pepper and fruit. Lovely.
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(Mother's Day dinner with H&M at Mistral) Shut the front door; this was amazing! Our first Judge Bell. Aromatics that leaped out of the bottle the moment the waiter uncorked this thing of beauty. Raven dark in the glass with a bouquet that enchanted and amazed -- zesty, spicy, tarry -- and that was before the first sip. A mouthful of wine that smacked of black and dark fruits, accompanied by exotic Asian spices, cedar and light creosote notes, and a lingering finish that had all of us unable to come up with enough descriptors. A very fine effort, and one to hide away in the cellar for a few more years. If I were still rating wines, this would be 95+. Drink 2015-2020. Wow.
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Spicy red fruit with medium-medium plus acidity. Not very tannic. Shows some heat from the alcohol, but still medium bodied at best. Not what you'd expect from almost 16% and still balanced enough to enjoy now.
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Big sweet cherry, red raspberry fruit almost a hit of raisin. Unfortunately I think the relative lack of acidity warrants early drinking while the fruit is so bright, especially to cover the 15.9%
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Well balanced, rich, and full bodied thin wine that is drinking exceptionally well (or as I say to Larry, this is a wine that it is drinking like a typical Turley). Pronounced spice and red fruits in the nose and taste (I'd say bing cherry, raspberry, and boysenberry). Add hints of mint in the aftertaste. A long pleasant aftertaste. I like it. Contrary to other views, I would drink this up in the next year or two.
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From Amador's Story Vineyard, planted in 1907. 15.9% abv. Medium ruby red. Very expressive red fruit and spice aromas. One the palate, cherry, raspberry and sweet sage. Deep and well balanced. A bit of tannic structure bodes well for the future.
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1/1/2024 - Goofienewfy Likes this wine: 85 Points
A bit past prime. Some licorice and red fruit on the nose. Hint of pepper too. Balanced in taste but finish is flattening out.
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11/17/2023 - Goofienewfy Likes this wine: 91 Points
Red fruit and spice are present after PNP. Some bramble and sticks. Still a good zin after all these years even if a bit past prime.
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11/19/2022 - wiscgrad wrote: 88 Points
not as wowed as other recent CT notes. a bit burly for a zin. big and plush. would have liked some more acid to take the edge off
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9/24/2022 - pyrat40 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Lots of red fruit with raisin flavors. Nicely balanced fruit and acid without any heat despite 15.9 ABV. Really enjoyed this bottle; perfect with barbecue ribs .
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1/21/2022 - Smithc1214 wrote: 92 Points
Upon opening wine had a high alcohol cutting through with notes of dried fruit especially raisin. After a while it transitioned into more red fruit like cranberry. Wine was great once it had the right amount of time
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8/17/2021 - GrapeScott wrote: 92 Points
Rather elegant for an Amador zin, not really showing it's 15.9% alcohol. Pretty cherry/kirsch aromas with a bit of white pepper, anise and hay on the nose. Has a lush, mouthfilling quality to it, unctuous without being heavy, lifted by lively acidity and a peppery back end. Starts with red fruits--cherry, pomegranate and bit of Robitussin cough syrup--but finishes with some orange peel and spice. Complex and quite interesting, this keeps your attention with each sip.
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3/8/2021 - bavaur wrote: 93 Points
30 minute decant, served ever so slightly chilled. Blueberries, cedar, graphite and liquorice on the nose. Really vibrant and peppery on the palate with lots of blue fruit and a core streak of cedar. Very long aniseed finish with signature Turley brambles. Really good pairing with pork burgers.
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2/13/2021 - Michael_D wrote: 88 Points
Ehhhhh.... I can live without buying more of these. Kinda unremarkable. Good, like most Turley.
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6/19/2020 - guitarguy wrote: 90 Points
I’m guessing this is peaked and quite good, fresh and light for Turley with nicely lifted nose of brambles and brush, a bit of acid, bitter cherry, moderate tannin and a decent cleanse to the longish palate. I like it.
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4/26/2020 - NickP wrote: 86 Points
Not bad but a bit thin and perhaps on the downside of life for this bottle. Ok to drink but not too notable for me
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4/7/2020 - guitarguy wrote: 91 Points
Pinot like with a light color and lithe, light palate of underbrush, leather, sour cherry and light tannic impact. Surprising but really quite nice. Reminds me a bit of a lightish zin I made from Grand Pere Vineyard in Amador back in 87, although mine was not at all good IMHO. Oh well. Still, I like Turley when they dial back the wine just a tad and maybe Teagan's departure will lead to such restraint. Not sure when he departed...
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11/5/2019 - tomlee wrote: 88 Points
Crimson in color. 15.9% ABV. Heady nose of brambly red fruits, licorice and pepper. Medium body with medium acidity. The heat on the palate is hard to overlook. Flavors of cherry, raspberry liqueur, cocoa and pepper. Medium length on the finish. Serve this at cellar temperature and pick your spots with this wine. Not for the faint of heart. Drink soon.
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9/1/2019 - Winiac wrote: 90 Points
Medium bodied and soft, but solid with a lot of taste. Your perfect drinkable Zinfandel.
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8/25/2018 - thh18731 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Delicious with dark cherry and rich jam notes. Well balanced on the finish, this is a Zin in its prime. I would not wait much longer to drink the 2012.
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3/9/2018 - lockestep wrote: 85 Points
Another year in the cellar has not changed my opinion on this wine. I remain unimpressed. Seems light and lacking, the '12 Juvenile was a much better zin IMHO. Drink up.
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12/11/2017 - La Cave d'Argent Likes this wine: 90 Points
This medium red/garnet wine was served at approximately 60°F, which is ideal for maximizing its fruit and minimizing its lofty 15.9% alcohol. Packed with red currants, dark bramble fruits, licorice and pepper, it is a rich, full-bodied offering with fresh acidity and nicely integrated oak. The middle palate is solid and the medium-length finish is vibrant. Enjoy this well-crafted Zinfandel over the next 2-3 years, and be sure to serve it at the appropriate temperature. Drink now-2020.
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11/5/2017 - tomoem Likes this wine: 91 Points
What a difference a year makes. Since my last tasting the wine has not lost any flavors. If anything it has gained some creaminess. Strawberry and sweet prune dominant held in this viscous juice which is savory. Gaining in strength this wine likely is still improving.
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9/23/2017 - neurovino Likes this wine: 91 Points
surprisingly light in color - almost ruby. Big, but relatively balanced for a jumbo wine.
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9/17/2017 - markcic Likes this wine: 89 Points
We pnp'd at dinner. The nose was dark cherry, the palate was dark cherry and spices and a nice smooth finish of moderate length.
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8/29/2017 - oenophilemoose wrote: 91 Points
Briefly decanted and discovered a very well made and delicious Zinfandel.
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4/8/2017 - lockestep wrote: 86 Points
Pop and pour then follow over several hours. A bit thin on the palate with decent nose and resolved tannins. Somewhat lacking in fruit, the acids have the upper hand. Doesn't appear to be in an awkward stage, sadly I think WYSIWYG.
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3/16/2017 - JHuseby1 wrote: 85 Points
Not my favorite Turley. Big and inelegant with little finesse. Great producer but I would choose other vineyards.
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3/9/2017 - jstrovel@gmail.com wrote: 92 Points
Cherry aromas and taste really burst from the glass.
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2/4/2017 - cubswinws Likes this wine: 90 Points
Excellent cherry fruited zin with a touch of spice
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1/21/2017 - Madkat wrote: 88 Points
Consumed over three days... Night one this offering was thin and was dominated by some heat... Came back to it two nights later... much better with some nice fruit coming through and a weightier feel but still a little flat and the nose was still dominated with alcohol. Not a great Turley and one that doesn't seem to have a great future. Give it plenty of air now and drink up.
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11/19/2016 - tomoem wrote: 89 Points
Cheng's Drink Down our Cellar Party
Rich earthy aroma leads to an absolute jam packed sensation of prunes, sweet raisins strawberry and chocolate. Big jammy finish with an over the top alchohol percentage to match.
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10/16/2016 - jonahfactor wrote:
Not one of the stronger offerings in the 2012 Turley lineup -- at least not right now. Have previously enjoyed this a lot. Incredibly primary, with the alcohol (15.9%) far too prominent, providing a biting bouquet, an astringent palate and a phenolic quality in the finish. Unsure of whether this can still pull together in the bottle and provide any pleasure down the road. Strongly suggest a generous decant prior to serving. ( = Pass, at least as it currently sits in the glass)
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10/9/2016 - mwiens wrote: 88 Points
If you like Zinfandel, then you'll probably find this one to be fantastic. A little jammy. Not crazy on the alcohol like some have been in the past. But, I don't think Zin is my thing. This one is better than some of the previous Turleys I've drank in the past couple months. Don't eat with crispy spring rolls and sweet chili sauce. It clashes. For me, the nose was better than the taste.
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8/27/2016 - Drankthewholebottle Likes this wine:
No notes but everyone who tried loved it.
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6/25/2016 - Randito Likes this wine: 90 Points
Good zin fruit with some spice. Nothing stood out. Many Zins are better for half the price, think Dry Creek, Bella, Carlisle.
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3/25/2016 - jkvedar wrote: 90 Points
Fruit and spice. What a good Zin should be. 15.9% ABV, but never hot. Beautiful lovely finish.
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2/27/2016 - ogres3 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Big lush black and blue fruity wine with some pleasant zest. Typical Turley.
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2/5/2016 - Xfactor wrote: 92 Points
Not surprisingly the first Amador County Zin i felt was 90+ comes from Turley. Bust of alcohol at pop, subsides into bright red cherry and cracked white pepper. Brambly body with fine tannins, finished with belt leather and loam, balanced acidity.
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1/25/2016 - Tony Poli Likes this wine: 91 Points
Cold night. We missed the big snow storm here, but there is plenty of white stuff out there. Rosalie made meat loaf and mashed potatoes, classic comfort food. This was our first Judge Bell, and our first Amador County zin in a while. It was terrific. We could taste the influence of the limestones soils in Amador, with the Turley touch. Obviously, our impression is influenced by the meal, but this wine was nicely balanced for such a youngster, complex, fruity, spicy... Well done.
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1/2/2016 - matthewmallon Does not like this wine:
Was not my favorite Turley. Definitely not a balanced wine. Although it opens with some nice dark, jammy flavors the weight of the wine is a little thin and the mid-palate and finish are totally dominated by the alcohol. It's the first time I have had this vineyard and will probably avoid it in the future.
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12/16/2015 - Uglypinga Likes this wine:
Bright but not fleshy enough. Lots of raspberries and some herbs. Good, not great
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12/11/2015 - RobbieC Likes this wine:
Short decant. A bit lighter than most Turley Zins. Most of the other 2012 Turley Zins are better. Still, a nice wine.
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11/26/2015 - dabovino Likes this wine: 91 Points
yummy
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11/19/2015 - JKIndy wrote: 90 Points
Lots of cherry flavors. Agree with other comments about finishing a bit "hot." Definitely on the light side for a Turley.
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11/13/2015 - cos65 wrote:
Fairly big cherry flavors, with some raisins. But this really lacks for balance. Big and clumsy and finishes a bit hot.
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9/6/2015 - leadpencil wrote: 88 Points
Raspberry, cedar
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6/13/2015 - Drankthewholebottle wrote: 95 Points
An exceptional wine overall. Absolutely gorgeous in the glass with wide slow creeping legs. Translucent ripe strawberry ruby vivaciousness. The nose is reticent and only hints at the big spicy brambly entry with a juicy finish that has a precise herbal mineral focus that fades back to juicy. I,m savin the rest until 2017+.
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6/12/2015 - JSPuskar Likes this wine: 88 Points
Spice and a bit of 'bite' on first opening. Smoothed out a bit the next day. A nice wine.
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5/20/2015 - Wine Lover 1964 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Drank over 3 days on Paso vacation. Held up nicely into 3rd day but 2nd was best day. Had with smoked fish tacos from Ruddels Smokehouse. Balanced with Amador spice, pepper and fruit. Lovely.
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5/9/2015 - jonahfactor Likes this wine:
(Mother's Day dinner with H&M at Mistral) Shut the front door; this was amazing! Our first Judge Bell. Aromatics that leaped out of the bottle the moment the waiter uncorked this thing of beauty. Raven dark in the glass with a bouquet that enchanted and amazed -- zesty, spicy, tarry -- and that was before the first sip. A mouthful of wine that smacked of black and dark fruits, accompanied by exotic Asian spices, cedar and light creosote notes, and a lingering finish that had all of us unable to come up with enough descriptors. A very fine effort, and one to hide away in the cellar for a few more years. If I were still rating wines, this would be 95+. Drink 2015-2020. Wow.
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5/2/2015 - garyty wrote: 90 Points
Very good but I think better Turley zins for less
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5/1/2015 - JSPuskar Likes this wine: 90 Points
Delicious. Leather and spice nose, very smooth for a young Turley. Good dark fruit.
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4/13/2015 - davegorton54 wrote: 94 Points
Favorite from the Fall Release. White pepper, cedar, and bing cherry. Wowzers.
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3/23/2015 - WineCPA wrote: 91 Points
Spicy red fruit with medium-medium plus acidity. Not very tannic. Shows some heat from the alcohol, but still medium bodied at best. Not what you'd expect from almost 16% and still balanced enough to enjoy now.
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2/22/2015 - cos65 Likes this wine:
Big sweet cherry, red raspberry fruit almost a hit of raisin. Unfortunately I think the relative lack of acidity warrants early drinking while the fruit is so bright, especially to cover the 15.9%
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2/5/2015 - cultdrinker Likes this wine: 95 Points
Well balanced, rich, and full bodied thin wine that is drinking exceptionally well (or as I say to Larry, this is a wine that it is drinking like a typical Turley). Pronounced spice and red fruits in the nose and taste (I'd say bing cherry, raspberry, and boysenberry). Add hints of mint in the aftertaste. A long pleasant aftertaste. I like it. Contrary to other views, I would drink this up in the next year or two.
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12/19/2014 - Sftx21 wrote: 88 Points
nice and well balanced. needs a couple more years in the bottle
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12/7/2014 - Rktekt3 wrote: 88 Points
Ehhh!
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11/9/2014 - Mike Dildine Likes this wine: 93 Points
From Amador's Story Vineyard, planted in 1907. 15.9% abv. Medium ruby red. Very expressive red fruit and spice aromas. One the palate, cherry, raspberry and sweet sage. Deep and well balanced. A bit of tannic structure bodes well for the future.
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