Turley 2012 Howell Mountain Cedarman Zinfandel
For the past 20 years, the strongest hand at the Zinfandel wheel has been Larry Turley of Turley Wine Cellars, which released its first wines with the 1993 vintage. Turley pioneered a plush, richly fruity style of Zinfandel that helped establish the varietal as a world-class contender. Turley’s Zins appear on some of the wine lists of America’s best restaurants. Born in Tennessee and raised in Georgia, Larry has spent the better part of his life on a farm. This being the south, they were primarily tobacco and dairy farms; nevertheless, his respect for the land and its cultivation began at a young age. As an adult, Larry channeled this passion for preservation towards people, studying medicine and working as an emergency room physician.
Because Larry has never met an old vine vineyard he didn’t like, Turley makes 28 separate wines from 35 different vineyards, some with vines that date back to the late 1800’s. Often weak and decaying, these old vine vineyards require extra care and attention in order to restore them to their former glory. After twenty-five years in the emergency room, Larry can now focus his resuscitative skills on the various old vineyards that comprise the wines he loves.
Opening a bottle I noticed a vibrant deep red color with aromas of very ripe black/red fruit, slightly spicy. This Cedarman wine has a small amount of Petite Sirah mingling with the Zinfandel. The palate showed great depth with big fruit flavors, cherries and sweet plums with a good bit of spicy flavors, cinnamon and vanilla, nice acidity and balance. The finish, medium length, ends with toasty mineral notes and slight heat (15.8% alcohol). Wonderful! Small production, worth the hunt.
Cheers!