Community Tasting Note

• Cristal2000 Likes this wine: 99 points

  September 6, 2021 - This was my first introduction to Turtle Rock wines, and wow, I am super impressed. Recapping some information I am sure many already know, Don (owner) was Justin Smith's best friend growing up and has worked at Saxum since 2007. He is still working there as assistant wine maker, while also making these TR wines in the same facility. Just about all of his fruit is sourced from the same vineyard's Saxum uses, and while stylistically they have some differences, it is hard to mistake the overall similarities.
  
  Also of note is that 2019 is perhaps the best vintage ever, or at least in recent memory, from Paso. If there's ever been a vintage to target, it's this one. We had 2018's and 2019's from Clos Solene, Linne Calodo, L'Aventure, Torrin, Booker and Turtle Rock over the weekend, and 2019 left little doubt who was king, despite 2018 being a fantastic vintage in its own right.
  
  The 2019 G2 is amongst the top three wines I've ever had from Paso, and without a doubt the best wine on this trip. It is totally stunning and a must have for anyone who enjoys Syrah from this region. The aromas jump out of the glass displaying super expressive notes of blackberries, forest floor, dark flowers, charcuterie, black pepper and fresh herbs. The first sip here is mind blowing, with epic levels of concentrated flavors and supreme freshness, keeping things both lively and powerful. A silky mouthfeel, integrated and refined tannins plus layering for days allows you to enjoy the incredible pure black/blue fruit, along with tons of savory character. While audaciously powerful, the most impressive about this wine is how the acidity keeps everything in balance. The finish is off the charts. Spectacular!

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50 Comments

• MJP Hou TX commented:

  9/7/21, 11:37 AM - Thanks for the introduction Cristal. I'm always game for getting out of Napa to try PASO.

• Cyclist commented:

  9/7/21, 8:57 PM - Nice note! The 2018 G2 was great too, but sooooooo big. Needed so much air, is this similar or pretty open at first pour? Also, you should check out Allbaer! Some of the best wine coming out of the Central Coast in my opinion and brand new! First "real" vintage release is the first week of October.

• Cristal2000 commented:

  9/7/21, 10:41 PM - Cyclist: This is definitely a big wine, but it was still fun and inviting on PnP. It is really the freshness of the vintage I think that allows it not to get bogged down. It's certainly just a baby, but I loved every sip even this young.
  
  Thanks for the info on the new winery. Will check it out!

• Cyclist commented:

  9/8/21, 2:38 PM - Awesome, good to hear! Also, yes I would definitely jump on the Allbaer wagon now. I've tasted his 2019s that will be released in October and will leave a review on here soon-ish (he asked me to hold off for a bit as he doesn't do tastings and he likes to keep things under wraps but let me just say, move over SQN...seriously). Short story: very cool guy with a very cool backstory and his 2019 Grenache is probably the best new producer wine I've tasted in the last couple years, especially considering the price point.

• Cristal2000 commented:

  9/8/21, 4:22 PM - That wine's initial release price is $225? If so, that seems crazy aggressive for the central coast, especially first vintage.

• Cyclist commented:

  9/8/21, 4:33 PM - That’s for 3 packs with custom made wooden cases. Per bottle is much less, around $70-75 per bottle. To be more specific that was their mini-release from last year. The 2019s are supposed to be available by the bottle as well when they release.

• Cristal2000 commented:

  9/8/21, 4:44 PM - Ah, that makes a lot more sense. Are these super extracted monsters like SQN?

• Cyclist commented:

  9/8/21, 4:58 PM - These have similarities to SQN but are very different in their own right. Pretty unique among the central coast peers. Alex trained and did winemaking at Petrus and then interned in the vineyard at SQN to learn more about the growing side before starting this. These wines are big but balanced and restrained, there’s a bit of French influence but a definite California hand and definite California fruit. They are exposed to very little oxygen throughout the winemaking process and require a significant decant to get all the flavors and aromas pumping but definitely are going to last a while, especially with that in mind. I had the 2019 Grenache straight from bottle a couple months ago and it was really great and completely outperformed a Sami-Odi Syrah, then after about 2 hours in the decanter at that lunch, it was absolutely incredible and was probably one of the top 3 wines I drank this year. But in all seriousness, let me know next time you’re in the Bay and we can possibly meet up and I’ll pop one haha.

• Cristal2000 commented:

  9/8/21, 4:59 PM - Sounds good. Thanks for the information!

• MJP Hou TX commented:

  9/8/21, 5:49 PM - Thanks for the update on pricing.

• Big&Bold707 commented:

  9/11/21, 4:31 PM - Hey Cristal, I’m a longtime L’Aventure member. Curious what you thought of their lineup when you went? Im also a Saxum member but never heard of Turtle Rock. I just added them to my list to taste on my upcoming trip. Any other favorites of yours in Paso to taste at besides Booker and Linne?

• Cristal2000 commented:

  9/13/21, 7:43 AM - Hi B&B - L'Aventure was fantastic. I hope to find time to post those tasting notes. We had I think every 18 and most all of their 19's. While all very good, the real standouts were 19 Cote a Cote and Estate Cuvee. Those were the best of the trip until that TR wine came along. It's clear 19 is just a fabulous vintage and one to load up on.
  
  We had some very good wines at Torrin as well, but most weren't available to purchase. Their 18 James Berry was also a top wine.

• Big&Bold707 commented:

  9/13/21, 7:49 AM - Thanks Christal. I added Torrin and Epoch to the upcoming trip. I agree about the 19 estate cuvée and cote a cote. I loaded up on those. They also do 2 member exclusive wines, the Chloe and For Her which are my favorite as well.

• Cristal2000 commented:

  9/13/21, 7:53 AM - I had the 18 Chloe and For Her. They were both very good. I preferred the Chloe, but neither were ready for primetime yet.

• MJP Hou TX commented:

  9/13/21, 8:39 AM - Cristal, I was able to request some 19 G2 during the fall. This will be in my hands once the temps drop in Texas.

• MJP Hou TX commented:

  9/13/21, 8:39 AM - Cristal, I was able to request some 19 G2 during the fall. This will be in my hands once the temps drop in Texas.

• Cristal2000 commented:

  9/13/21, 8:43 AM - Awesome! Excited to hear what you think.

• MJP Hou TX commented:

  10/1/21, 6:28 AM - Evidently Jeb just handed out some 100 pointers and this I believe is one of them. Assuming the sign up inbox is on over drive now.

• Cristal2000 commented:

  10/1/21, 8:43 AM - Oh geez. So much for the early look.

• Cristal2000 commented:

  10/1/21, 8:51 AM - I don't subscribe to JD anymore, but curious if anyone has the 100's? Would be interested to know which made his list.

• MJP Hou TX commented:

  10/1/21, 9:07 AM - Saxum posted on Instagram thanking Jeb for all the 100 point ratings. Outside of them and TR I’m not sure.

• Cristal2000 commented:

  10/1/21, 9:24 AM - Four 100's for Saxum. Pretty cool, even if it is Jeb.

• Big&Bold707 commented:

  10/1/21, 9:34 AM - Which Saxums got the 100s?

• Cristal2000 commented:

  10/1/21, 9:38 AM - 18 Hex and Rocket Block; 19 G2. It was actually the TR G2 that had the other 100...missed that.

• Big&Bold707 commented:

  10/1/21, 9:51 AM - Nice! Glad I was able to pick up the Hex and Rocket Block. 19 g2 and 19 James Berry get released I think in January. Did they say the score of the 19 James Berry?

• Cristal2000 commented:

  10/1/21, 11:31 AM - Not on their IG post. I don't subscribe to Jeb, so not sure.

• Cristal2000 commented:

  10/1/21, 11:53 AM - I don't really have one. My wife has one and I use it from time to time.

• Big&Bold707 commented:

  10/2/21, 8:36 AM - L’Aventure just let me know that the 19 cote a cote and estate cuvee got 100 points. The estate cab, for her, and Chloe got 98 points. Looking like the 19 vintage in Paso is the vintage of the decade.

• Cristal2000 commented:

  10/2/21, 11:47 AM - Interesting. Apparently Jeb and I are on the same wavelength with Paso wines. Those were my two favorite 19's from L'Aventure, although more 97-98 in my book. The Cote was the best of them.

• RayT commented:

  10/31/21, 3:11 PM - Thanks for the TN Cristal. Just got back from Paso and Turtle Rock was our hands down favorite and a bargain for the quality of the fruit. I had enjoyed the 2018 G2 and Maturin but the 2019 was at a whole nother level. Drank the Maturin but not the G2 at the tasting. I typically prefer the G2, can't wait to crack one. Do you recommend a decant?

• Cristal2000 commented:

  11/1/21, 7:18 AM - Hi RayT: Glad to hear you had a good experience with TR. I'd definitely give the 19 G2 a solid hour or two in the decanter if opening now. But I'd also take a small pour right out of the bottle to watch it evolve. Cheers!

• Big&Bold707 commented:

  11/13/21, 8:49 AM - Cristal, you nailed it with the Turtle Rock recommendation! We are in Paso now and my entire group fell in love with the red line. Signed up for the club. G2 and James Berry were incredible. Also really liked the Claude’s. The 19 TR G2 has me hyped about the 19 saxum G2 release in January

• Cristal2000 commented:

  11/13/21, 10:23 AM - B&B - great to hear. Glad you and your group enjoyed it as much as I did. I actually had a 19 Saxum Broken Stones last night and it was awesome. I am definitely looking forward to their 19 G2 being released, although I think the composition is way different than the TR. Hope the rest of the trip goes well.

• Big&Bold707 commented:

  11/13/21, 6:03 PM - Thanks for opening the 19 broken stones and giving us all a preview. My shipment was delayed until next week because of the heat. We did Torrin, Linne, and L’Aventure today. Really liked Torrin. My brother in law signed up for the club so I can just order through him since I signed up for TR. The stand out at Torrin for us was the James Berry and the Akasha. We weren’t impressed with Linne. And the 19 lineup at L’Aventure is great across the board but I of course the standouts are the cote a cote and estate cuvée. Had to pick up a couple more of each.

• Cristal2000 commented:

  11/14/21, 8:23 AM - B&B: I also really enjoyed the Torrin JBV and Akasha on my trip. It was funny, they poured them for us but we couldn't buy them. We're not part of the club, because they always pair the wines with others I am not interested in. I guess if they can get away with it and have enough business, good for them!

• Big&Bold707 commented:

  11/14/21, 8:35 AM - Yeah it’s kind of weird that you can’t customize your allocation in the club. My guess is that it is such a small production winery that if they allowed customization then everyone in the club wouldn’t be able to order certain wines. The JBV wasn’t part of the club release so that was an add on up to 2 bottles.

• Big&Bold707 commented:

  1/8/22, 3:36 PM - Cristal and MJP, just got the TR spring allocation email. Are you guys taking the standard allocation of 2 each of the 3 wines or are you customizing it?

• Cristal2000 commented:

  1/8/22, 4:35 PM - Hi B&B - I actually didn't join the club, but bought while I was at the tasting. Is it the 2020 or 2019 vintage they are offering now? Just curious.

• Decanting Queen commented:

  1/8/22, 5:34 PM - B&B I wasn’t sure from the email how you would customize it? Maybe add some of the fall wines? The Willow’s cuvée was excellent, too bad they don’t have any extra allocations for it.

• Big&Bold707 commented:

  1/8/22, 5:55 PM - Cristal, allocation is two 2019 g2s, two 2019 claude’s, and two 2019 Willow reds. I talked to Claudia yesterday and she said the club is closed and now on a waitlist. They don’t have enough wine to support the demand now. Crazy how fast they blew up.
  DQ, you can sub or add on for JBV and put in a wish list for additional G2s. I haven’t tasted the Willow red yet but tasted the rest a couple months back. Sounds like you highly recommend me keeping those 2? Do you think it’s worth it to get the Claude’s and Willows instead of stocking up on the G2s? I already have a 3 pack of the G2s, plus the 2 allocated is 5. Don’t know if I should go for more? What do you think?

• Big&Bold707 commented:

  1/9/22, 12:21 PM - Which do you guys/ladies prefer between the Willow red and Claude’s? I’ve had the Claude’s but haven’t tasted the Willow.

• Decanting Queen commented:

  1/9/22, 1:14 PM - I preferred the Willow’s cuvee to Claude’s, but I noted that Claude’s seemed like it would improve with time. They were both great but the Willow had me writing to see if I could get more (the answer was no until the spring allocation!)

• Big&Bold707 commented:

  1/9/22, 1:20 PM - Appreciate the response DQ. I emailed asked for the stander 6 bottle allocation and requested an additional bottle of G2 and Maturin. Mine as well stock up on these beautiful 19s. Speaking of vintage, have you heard anything about the 2020 vintage in Paso. Obviously it’s an avoid at all costs for Napa but haven’t heard much re Paso.

• MJP Hou TX commented:

  1/9/22, 2:43 PM - B&B, Claudia has been generous so far with my additional requests. I'm waiting on confirmation of what exactly that will be. They're in a good but tough position of trying to make folks happy. I have yet to try Willow or Claude's Cuvee so I have nothing to report back there. Like you I'm curious Paso 2020. I did pick up some Bedrock's 2020 Karatas, Bien Nacido Chard and Syrah. Pretty far South so we shall see. Best of luck on your allocation and keep the great TN's coming.

• Cristal2000 commented:

  1/9/22, 3:00 PM - My take on Willow vs Claude is whether you generally prefer a greater proportion grenache or syrah. They were equally good when I had them, but Willow had that rich gorgeous fruit from expressive grenache, and Claude's had a more serious, brooding side from the syrah.
  
  When I visited, the general sense from some of the wine owners/wine makers was that 2020 would be a "fine" vintage, but not come close to the really epic recent editions from 2018 and 2019. I haven't had a chance to taste it, but I guess if it's that vs Napa, then go Paso. :)

• Big&Bold707 commented:

  1/9/22, 4:15 PM - DQ and MJP, Claudia is the best. She emailed me back within 2 hours confirming she would add the extra bottle of G2 and Maturin to my order. The real question is what is enough bottles of the 19 G2?

• MJP Hou TX commented:

  1/9/22, 5:17 PM - If I love the wine then I'm asking for as much as I can get within reason. Sounds like you were one of the original mailing list supporters and not someone that signed up because of JD's scores. With that said, I think you should get a tad bit more for being an original supporter.
  
  I was fortunate to be one of the first to taste and sign up for Kinsman back in 2017. I'm told I'm was the first official customer to place an order so I might always have that going for me. Even then Shae still has to limit my request because she really does try to be fair to all the folks that are waiting.

• Big&Bold707 commented:

  1/9/22, 6:06 PM - She has treated me like a longtime member but actually it was L’Aventure that recommended me to go to TR plus seeing Cristal’s reviews got me to go. I tasted and signed up in early November. I think I was one of the last people they let into the club before closing it out and going to a wait list.

• MJP Hou TX commented:

  1/9/22, 6:21 PM - You and me both. Cheers to Cristal and his notes on this wine!

• Cristal2000 commented:

  1/10/22, 11:53 AM - I was fortunate that somehow I got to taste it right before JD released his scores. Happy it was helpful. That's the nice thing about CT! Cheers!

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