93 Points - Robert Parker. The Zinfandel Old Vines is a blend of declassified wine from Turleys old-vine vineyards. A great buy and one of the best old-vine cuvees the Turleys have produced, rich full-bodied, and unctuously textured, it explodes from the glass revealing black fruits, earth, kirsch, licorice, pepper, and underbrush elements. 

Vivino Rating: 4.2 (Sept 2024)

Wine Press Ratings

93 Points - Robert Parker

"The 2021 Zinfandel Old Vines has a medium ruby color and plush red and black cherries on the nose with accents of mushrooms, forest floor, savory spices and mint. The full-bodied palate is grainy and refreshing with generous berry fruit and a long, spicy finish. It's similar to the Juvenile with a bit more oomph, and it's just as easy to drink."

Taste

Hailing from over 20 ancient vineyards across California and aged in only 10% new oak, the wine has all those bright, pure berry fruit notes and more; the elegant, grown-up version of that Rockwellian memory. Intensely satiating and polished on the palate, with the kind of natural depth, complexity, and grace that can only come from truly old vines.

About the Producer

Turley Wine Cellars, a second-generation family winery, is renowned for crafting Californias finest Zinfandels from small parcels of ancient, dry-farmed vines. Led by Larry Turley and winemaker Tegan Passalacqua, alongside Larry's daughters, the team has gained stewardship of some of the states most iconic vineyards. By farming organically, reducing yields to preserve intensity, and harvesting early to maintain acidity, they produce exceptional wines that honour Californias rich viticultural heritage.

Why are Old Vines Superior 

In addition to their cultural significance, old vines produce a naturally more complex, balanced, and sustainable wine. Young vines tend to be vigorous and high yielding for a short period of time (16-20 years) before most wineries rip them up and replant, to keep yields at a maximum.

An old vine, on the other hand, naturally regulates its yields, focusing all of the vines energy into a more finiteand ultimately more concentratedfinal wine. Furthermore, these vines are dry-farmed, meaning they survive only on the natural rainfall patterns and water tables of their respective micro-climates. Finally, they are more deeply rooted in the soils, reaching down over 40 feet into the earth in some cases.