Winemaker Notes
2018 is the 20th vintage of Turley’s Estate Zinfandel. Vibrantly colored and deeply aromatic, the ’18 Estate Zin is true Napa Valley elegant opulence. Loads of fruit and earth on the nose, along with dried flowers, cedar and tobacco, reminiscent of Chateauneuf du Pape and other wines of the southern Rhone. The multi-dimensional palate has more structure and grip than years past, as well as a bit of gravel dust on the finish. Fans of their Aida wines of yore will find them resurrected here.
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2018 Turley Estate Zinfandel is bold, intense, and lasting. TASTING NOTES: This superb wine exhibits delicious and persistent aromas of powerful berries that range from red to black fruits. Enjoy it with a panko-crusted, oven-baked rack of lamb. (Tasted: January 30, 2020, San Francisco, CA)
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The medium to deep ruby-purple colored 2018 Zinfandel Turley Estate offers gentle aromas of bergamot, autumn leaves, aniseed and red and black berry fruits. The palate is medium-bodied and silky with pops of juicy freshness and understated flavors on the finish.
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Wine Spectator
Refined and handsomely polished, with vibrant black cherry, smoky pepper and licorice flavors that build structure and tension toward medium-grained tannins. Drink now through 2029.
Undoubtedly proving its merit over and over, Napa Valley is a now a leading force in the world of prestigious red wine regions. Though Cabernet Sauvignon dominates Napa Valley, other red varieties certainly thrive here. Important but often overlooked include Merlot and other Bordeaux varieties well-regarded on their own as well as for their blending capacities. Very old vine Zinfandel represents an important historical stronghold for the region and Pinot noir is produced in the cooler southern parts, close to the San Pablo Bay.
Perfectly situated running north to south, the valley acts as a corridor, pulling cool, moist air up from the San Pablo Bay in the evenings during the hot days of the growing season, which leads to even and slow grape ripening. Furthermore the valley claims over 100 soil variations including layers of volcanic, gravel, sand and silt—a combination excellent for world-class red wine production.