2018 Turley Cinsault Bechthold Vineyard

Community Tasting Notes (9) Avg Score: 91.1 points

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  9/8/2022 - VeniceCalif wrote: 90 Points

  This was excellent. Consumed with a company meal, so no detailed notes. But a fine and complex nose, balanced texture, light-medium body. Served at wine-fridge temperature outdoors during the heat wave with bbq cornish game hen, it worked great.

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  4/22/2021 - red freddy Likes this wine: 91 Points

  Impulse Purchase: 12.5% abv - $30. I like Turley's Zinfandels; saw this and wanted to try it.
  
  Served with (juicy) hamburgers after a 2 hour decant and slight chilling to the 58f range.
  
  Very clear, ruby-red in the glass; a light complexion with a distinct purple tinge (similar to a Pinot Noir). Nice long legs on the glass. Nose of red cherries and pomegranate. Raspberry, cranberry, and red currant on the palate with strong notes of sour cherry (or maybe it's the pomegranate). Subdued, smooth tannins; light on the acid (not ordinarily a characteristic of the varietal), but just enough acidity to add crispness. Pleasant tart mouth feel. Bright and refreshing, but rather short, finish.
  
  Although not a 'hearty' wine, it is subtle in its complexity and paired well with the flavorful hamburgers. At the same time, it's a wine I would just as soon enjoy for sipping on a summer evening with canapés.
  Compared to Turley's Zins, this has more of a light, delicate touch. Similar to a quality Pinot Noir but with unique flavors of cranberry & pomegranate. Well-crafted (it's a Turley), I'll keep some around for something refreshing, but different for those casual summer days.
  
  'Mot and Rob' noted Bechthold has a fascinating history; from an unheralded vineyard planted in an unlikely location in mid-1880's, recently commanding only $200/ton for its fruit, to a highly prized source of Cinsault. A little more of the story Here: https://www.sfchronicle.com/wine/article/The-world-s-oldest-planting-of-Cinsault-is-in-13691994.php
  and Here: https://www.visitlodi.com/blog/lodis-legendary-ancient-vine-bechthold-vineyard/
  Come to think of it, Turley is a pretty interesting story itself.

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  11/30/2020 - caroleandjay wrote: 90 Points

  Turley had sent this to me by mistake instead of one of the other zinfandels - no matter - time to give Cinsault a try. Three tasters (our first Cinsault all).
  Clear, pale ruby with minimal meniscus. Medium Viscosity.
  Cranberry, strawberry and raspberry on the nose, along with red currant. Nose also had lavender, tea, vanilla and baking spices. Palate confirmed the fruit and had an acorn/nutty flavor on the finish. Medium body and acidity with fine/medium tannins. Med+ length on the finish with medium complexity. Not sure this will make me run out and purchase Cinsault, but it was a very pleasant change of pace.

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  7/28/2020 - silton wrote: 89 Points

  I've been on a mini-Cinsault kick recently with strong examples from RSA (Sadie Pofadder, Savage Thief in the Night) and Chile (De Martino). This wine paled in comparison. The nose was red fruited/red cherry with a dash of Cinsault spice, but the midpalate was simple and the finish was short with generally insufficient acidity like rmalloy said, although serving it somewhat chilled helped. It did seem to improve over time and would be a decent choice for a BBQ as a quaffable red. A generous 89.

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  1/27/2020 - rmalloy Likes this wine: 88 Points

  I'm not as impressed by this wine as other reviewers are. It definitely has a pretty, pinot-like color in the glass. But the flavor is dull. Mostly, it is red berry fruit and a vague brown sugar note. While the mouthfeel is light and flowing (much like pinot), I don't find the wine particularly elegant or refreshing because of the low acidity.

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