Turley, Tofanelli Zinfandel, Napa Valley

Turley Zins are fantastic. Had this with some ribs I smoked today. Great dark fruit-cherries and blackberries. Nice acidity with the ribs. And great finish. I hope I still have a second bottle.

2015 vintage

Last tasted almost seven years ago with similar notes though the wine has now clearly matured into a very well balanced Zinfandel and the nearly 16% alcohol is completely hidden. Black raspberries, black cherries, blueberries, licorice, spice, and floral notes in the nose. Rich deep, concentrated fruit in the flavor, black raspberries, cherries, and licorice. Nice texture and acidity. This is a very tasty zin, with a long lingering finish and a very nice pairing with homemade pizza.

2015 vintage

Color like a Santa Barbera Pinot, not deep and dark but also not light red (Sonoma/Oregon Pinot). Definitely not opaque. More deep and carmelized in flavors than the color indicates, baked fruit, cracked black pepper, Coca Cola, notes of slightly burned toast with some leafy, green flavors as it finishes. Lots of tannins still left but I’m not sure this will improve. Just me, seems overdone and a bit baked.

2015 vintage

Red fruit on the nose. Raspberry & cherry on the palate. Smooth tannins, some spice on the long finish. Delicious.

2015 vintage

Part of a Mostly Zin and Pizza night w/ my wine group. 5 out of the 8 of us had this as their favorite with the other 3 having it as their 2nd favorite (out of 4 reds). I may be shorting this a point, but I didn't take detailed notes.

2015 vintage

holding up well

2008 vintage

Another lost in my cellar bottle that was not on my CT inventory! My last previous bottle of this vintage/cuvee was 2018, and it is still alive and kicking. I brought this to a Super Bowl party and it was served along with Beef Chili. Its still a big wine, just not as big as it was in 2011, with a long finish. A real treat!

2008 vintage

Dark crimson in color. 15.8% ABV. Heady nose of red fruits, licorice and pepper. Medium body with ample acidity and just a touch of heat. Black cherry, raspberry liqueur, cocoa and white pepper on the palate. Exceptional length on the finish. Big Zinfandel that is not for the faint of heart but is true to the Turley house style. Best over the next year or so.

2015 vintage

Well balanced, drinking well, integrated light tannins, medium to full body, darker fruits, lovely lighter more focused style of Zin

2015 vintage

Full bodied Howell Mountain Zinfandel providing a nice complement to Thanksgiving dinner.

2015 vintage

Great pepper and spice. Delicious.

2015 vintage

Just met my favorite Turley. Dragon is really nice.. ready now don’t wait

2015 vintage

24 year old zin! Woohoo! I thought this was shot when I first opened it because the nose seemed a bit maderized and nutty. But remarkably, this improved with air, and drank very well over three evenings. Sure, it's got some heat on the finish, and the nose is mostly walnut skin, raisins and kirsch, but the palate is quite nice. Ripe, yes, but still fresh, and showing cherry, brambly blackberry and red currant fruit. An interesting experience, especially for …

1999 vintage

Siggy's Annual BBQ (Chez Siggy & Jenny's Place, Mpls, MN) : Small pour. So Turley is not usually my thing. That said, I find that the Zin's have a fairly narrow window where I feel they hit that sweet spot and this '14 Dragon was in the window. Never a wallflower, but balanced and showing depth, nice fruit, spice and freshness without going too far. Thanks Brian.

2015 vintage

It's been a while since I had a Turley Zin, and I really enjoyed this. Tasted blind with my wine group at a NYC steakhouse. It was the only Zin of the tasting, and I was surprised that more of the group didn't pick it out as a Zin. Nicely balanced. Long finish. My second favorite of the night.

2015 vintage

Drinking well, complex rich fruit, top 25% of Turley's zins.

2015 vintage

On the earthy side for a Zinfandel. Don’t even notice the alcohol. Very smooth. Picks up a bit of spiciness overnight.

2015 vintage

Drinking really well, a classic high-end Cali zin.

2015 vintage

Remains one of my favorite Turley zins.

2015 vintage

Very good. Usually rate this a point higher but maybe wasn't in the mood.

2015 vintage

Moderate body with enjoyable fruit, a tad sweet but in an enjoyable way. Didn't notice the 15.8% at all.

2015 vintage

Typical of high quality California Zinfandel. Cranberry and rose petal nose. Bright red fruit on the attack, gaining slight Concord grape jam notes on the midpalate. Medium plus body with medium plus finish.

2015 vintage

Decanted 1/2 hr. Drank over 2 days. Day 2 was about the same as day 1. Consistent lively, smooth tastes of red fruits with some cherry.

2015 vintage

Used a coffee filter to strain out the sediment was a great improvement

2008 vintage

The lady asked for more no need to say anything else

2008 vintage

Smooth, well-balanced Zin with great fruit and black pepper flavors. Long, clean finish.

2015 vintage

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2008 vintage

Typically big but deliciously balance effort from Turley. Definitely rounded out more on the second night - lots of luscious red fruit (cherry, raspberry, even some sweet cranberry) along with lovely baking spices and a hint of white pepper. First night, tannins and mouthfeel were reminiscent of green tea, softened after a day.

2015 vintage

Nice zin. Notes of cherry tinged with spice and herbal notes on the balanced finish. Served with wood fired Margherita pizza. My wife loved it based on how quickly it disappeared!

2015 vintage

Typical Turley Zinfandel

2015 vintage

Nice zin and love the restraint and balance (for a Zin) of the mountain fruit.

2015 vintage

Holding up well, dry-port deep dark dusty dried fruit nose, good earthy dry port palate, serve at cellar temp 55-60F or so as it's 'hot'... Nice at cellar temp.

2008 vintage

PnP after dinner. No detailed notes. Smooth, rich, with nice spice. After looking at previous notes, it appears that it took some time to get into a really nice place.

2008 vintage

Spicy, juicy, ight, more alcoholic with some distracting VA. Brian's Turley tasting at Monopole

1999 vintage

Unlike the usual Turleys I did not find this one particularly good. I might have had a bad bottle - it wasn't corked though - possibly in a closed phase. The flavors were all muted and nothing much was going on. Air did not help much. I did have it at the tasting room recently and it was better than this bottle. Might try again or just go with the tried and true cedarman which is at the same price …

2015 vintage

blueberry and earth on the nose, more blueberry, red peppers, vanilla, allspice on the palate. Spices and a hint of bitter orange on the finish. Still young, hold to 2020

2015 vintage

Unlike the 2008 Rattlesnake which we also just opened, this one produced a lively nose of classic red and black berries. Plenty of fruit, with a slight tannic bite still, shows that the dragon is still breathing some fire. Medium bodied, with heat, and plenty of fruit and structure - this in a nice bottle.

2008 vintage

Opened and poured. Reticent nose....like a rattlesnake, this one seems a bit hostile.....leathery bitterish flavor profile....not giving much in the nose....with air it gets a little better, but this one is a tad hard to really enjoy. Thinnish, watery, yet potent. Perhaps over the hill, but, all good wines should be able to age well.

2008 vintage

This has held up very well. Deep nose of black fruits and some spice. Popped 'n poured in a NYC restaurant. Lots of sediment. Medium-long finish.

2008 vintage

An ok Turley zin

2008 vintage

Beautifully smooth and integrated with raspberry, blueberry, blackberry flavors. Vanilla from oak aging with some underlying earth and spice.

2008 vintage

Still quite tight, loads of tannic and needs a few more years.

2008 vintage

Pleasant nose. Alcohol not over powering. Pepper on the nice smooth finish. 92

2008 vintage

Deep red color, blueberries, black cherries, licorice, and pepper in the nose. Black cheries, raspberries, dried plums, and some minerality in the flavor. A big Turley (that may be redundant), though nicely balanced with a long finish.

2008 vintage

Deep berried, layered nose with raisin notes. Decidedly alcoholic, clocking in at 16%, and feeling it, too. Hedonistic and pleasurable.

2008 vintage

Blood red in color. 16% ABV. Riveting nose of red fruits, cassis liqueur and molten licorice. Altogether well balanced with just a slight bit of heat on the palate. Medium body and perhaps more in a claret style than I would have expected. Flavors of sweet raspberry compote, cherries and white pepper. Really delicious Zinfandel that finishes strong. Hard to imagine this gets any better with time in the cellar.

2008 vintage

This was simply delightful. Dark, broodsome, and sexy. Beautiful nose, velvety mouth feel, some tannins still hanging on, and nice medium finish. Paired with dry aged ribeye -- simply wonderful.

2008 vintage

Viscous, mouth-coating raspberries. Soft and velvety. Still drinking great. Should continue through 2018. Pairs great with Halloween night chili.

2008 vintage

Wonderful. Deep and dark. Stood up well to smoked beef brisket. And just fantastic on its own.

2008 vintage

Very extracted ...in fact, a bit overdone. Big, rich, dark fruit flavors.

2008 vintage

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Turley, Tofanelli Zinfandel, Napa Valley

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