Vibrant purple. Decanted and served immediately at cellar temperature. Great aromas and flavors of ripe plums and blackberries, with hints of leather and tar. It has exceptional body, with plenty of extract and a lovely acid-tannin balance, a satisfying mouthfeel and a very smooth finish. The rustic tones and slight residual sweetness that are typical of this grape were on full display. It’s been a while, and I had forgotten how much I love Charbono/Bonarda wines! This was a crowd-pleaser and still has a few good years ahead of it. Outstanding wine.
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Even though it was 3 years past its peak, it still was very good. Had a problem getting the cork out, too dry. Might not have been stored properly. Would still be a good wine in the next few years.
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At a wine group dinner for 8 people, we had the following, 2011 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage Blanc Chevalier de Sterimberg, 2007 Turley Wine Cellars Charbono Tofanelli Vineyard, 2005 Turley Zinfandel Contra Costa County Duarte Vineyard, 2007 Domaine Paul Autard Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Juline, and the 2010 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Crozes-Hermitage Domaine de Thalabert. All the wines were opened at the restaurant, about 20 minutes before we poured the first one. For the reds, we drank them one at a time, then came back and had them again to see how they evolved.
Sadly, my last bottle. Great job by the Turley team on this. Much lower alcohol than their Zins and it made for a great food wine. WA called it a bistro styled effort and that seems accurate. Very enjoyable, both right out of the bottle and after 90 minutes as well.
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Smooth, nose is a bit reticent but not unpleasant. I would estimate it peaked around a year ago. I do not expect it will get better and appear on the downside but will still be good for a couple years.
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This was intense, a deep almost chewy nose and no let up from sniff to finish. Needed bigger food than it was with as this was a wine with grip. Well done, an archtype of a Turley wine, and more rich, bold charbono than all past vintages of this I've tried. Too bad I just had one of these, would love to try it again with ribs, short ribs, etc.
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I like this as much or better than their zins. This is about 3/4th the fruit throttle of the zins. It's still plenty fruity and yummy, and there is some acidity such that it would go with richer Italian food.
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Zinlike as you might expect from this zin specialist. Sweet berry and phenol in the nose with sweet berry, pepper, leather and barnyard flavors. Plenty of tannins but they are smooth and integrated.
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Not as much fruit as some previous bottles, but surprised how much spice and pepper there was. Flavors on the dark, red fruit side, and some tart fruit. Some chocolate and some earth. Nice acidity that I was not expecting. With the tart fruit and the spice/pepper, paired nicely with a grilled pizza - a swap for a Chianti.
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A Turley at only 13.9% alc!? I didn't realize they made such a beast. I enjoyed the more restrained nature of this wine. It was not super ripe like so many Turleys and this wine was more food friendly. There was a little earth and slight vegetative note that I never really decided if I liked or not. Pretty good and different from any other bottling from this winery that I have had but I won't go searching for it.
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Would not buy again. Not a fit for my tastes. Great color gave way to a very light bodied wine with barely noticeable fruit. I'd describe it as a pinot mouthfeel. Definitely to be consumed w/ food. At a lower price point I'd try again but this is steep for what I got from this bottle.
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Consumed along side a pesto pizza with chicken and artichokes. This and viscous mouthfeel, yet light and juicy on the palate. Great acidity. Perhaps our new favorite pizza wine.
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8/16/2022 - Acohen Likes this wine: 90 Points
Dark rich plum and blueberry with spice and bramble
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8/12/2019 - PaulusLoZebra Likes this wine: 92 Points
Vibrant purple. Decanted and served immediately at cellar temperature. Great aromas and flavors of ripe plums and blackberries, with hints of leather and tar. It has exceptional body, with plenty of extract and a lovely acid-tannin balance, a satisfying mouthfeel and a very smooth finish. The rustic tones and slight residual sweetness that are typical of this grape were on full display. It’s been a while, and I had forgotten how much I love Charbono/Bonarda wines! This was a crowd-pleaser and still has a few good years ahead of it. Outstanding wine.
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2/22/2018 - Mike and Marie Likes this wine: 90 Points
Even though it was 3 years past its peak, it still was very good. Had a problem getting the cork out, too dry. Might not have been stored properly. Would still be a good wine in the next few years.
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9/25/2016 - SMHalps Likes this wine: 91 Points
At a wine group dinner for 8 people, we had the following, 2011 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage Blanc Chevalier de Sterimberg, 2007 Turley Wine Cellars Charbono Tofanelli Vineyard, 2005 Turley Zinfandel Contra Costa County Duarte Vineyard, 2007 Domaine Paul Autard Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Juline, and the 2010 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Crozes-Hermitage Domaine de Thalabert. All the wines were opened at the restaurant, about 20 minutes before we poured the first one. For the reds, we drank them one at a time, then came back and had them again to see how they evolved.
Sadly, my last bottle. Great job by the Turley team on this. Much lower alcohol than their Zins and it made for a great food wine. WA called it a bistro styled effort and that seems accurate. Very enjoyable, both right out of the bottle and after 90 minutes as well.
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12/26/2015 - andyrowe Likes this wine: 94 Points
Has really come into its own, likely near end but what a finish.
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3/22/2014 - skinut Likes this wine: 89 Points
Smooth, nose is a bit reticent but not unpleasant. I would estimate it peaked around a year ago. I do not expect it will get better and appear on the downside but will still be good for a couple years.
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3/1/2014 - btock wrote: 90 Points
This was intense, a deep almost chewy nose and no let up from sniff to finish. Needed bigger food than it was with as this was a wine with grip. Well done, an archtype of a Turley wine, and more rich, bold charbono than all past vintages of this I've tried. Too bad I just had one of these, would love to try it again with ribs, short ribs, etc.
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10/1/2013 - ocfriday Likes this wine: 91 Points
Great classic Turley - holding up very well. Great fruit up front and smooth long finish. One of the best
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9/19/2012 - gesusser wrote: 90 Points
need lots of time to settle this tannic monster down...was very smooth on last nite w/ eggplat stack
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5/26/2012 - galewskj wrote: 91 Points
I like this as much or better than their zins. This is about 3/4th the fruit throttle of the zins. It's still plenty fruity and yummy, and there is some acidity such that it would go with richer Italian food.
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12/23/2011 - rdsboca wrote: 90 Points
Rustic, youthful, black fruit and fun to drink. Great with Italian food.
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6/1/2011 - guitarguy wrote: 88 Points
Zinlike as you might expect from this zin specialist. Sweet berry and phenol in the nose with sweet berry, pepper, leather and barnyard flavors. Plenty of tannins but they are smooth and integrated.
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5/11/2011 - MillerRoad wrote: 88 Points
Not as much fruit as some previous bottles, but surprised how much spice and pepper there was. Flavors on the dark, red fruit side, and some tart fruit. Some chocolate and some earth. Nice acidity that I was not expecting. With the tart fruit and the spice/pepper, paired nicely with a grilled pizza - a swap for a Chianti.
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1/30/2011 - Outplaying wrote:
A Turley at only 13.9% alc!? I didn't realize they made such a beast. I enjoyed the more restrained nature of this wine. It was not super ripe like so many Turleys and this wine was more food friendly. There was a little earth and slight vegetative note that I never really decided if I liked or not. Pretty good and different from any other bottling from this winery that I have had but I won't go searching for it.
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8/7/2010 - psoals wrote: 92 Points
Awesome bottle of wine from a little known grape. Bring on the pizza and red sauce.
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5/7/2010 - gesusser wrote: 89 Points
first night = hi alcohol burn; 2nd night nicer; 3rd night finished up even better; will hold the other bottle for at least one year
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2/16/2010 - nfafoglia wrote: 89 Points
Tastes like raspberry jelly. Chambord on the nose. Hazelnut on the finish. A wine that cries out for a bistro chicken.
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1/12/2010 - MBrown wrote:
Would not buy again. Not a fit for my tastes. Great color gave way to a very light bodied wine with barely noticeable fruit. I'd describe it as a pinot mouthfeel. Definitely to be consumed w/ food. At a lower price point I'd try again but this is steep for what I got from this bottle.
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12/23/2009 - nadwop wrote: 89 Points
With pork chops at Grill 66 Bar & Restaurant, Ft. Lauderdale. Cala had Sea bass. Very good, rich, chocolate, mild,maybe too, tannins. $85.
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7/15/2009 - psoals wrote: 91 Points
Consumed along side a pesto pizza with chicken and artichokes. This and viscous mouthfeel, yet light and juicy on the palate. Great acidity. Perhaps our new favorite pizza wine.
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