Winemaker Notes
Planted in 1885, Ueberroth is the oldest of Turley's Zinfandel vineyards. Located closer to the sea than any other site we work with, you can smell the salt air from the top of the hill. These ungrafted, head-trained vines are planted on very steep limestone slopes. The high pH of the soil makes for a very high acid wine, elevating the ripe fruit flavors from this historic certified organic vineyard.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Consistently spectacular in the capable, meticulous winemaking hands at Turley Cellars, the 2013 Zinfandel Ueberroth Vineyard comes from one of the oldest Zinfandel vineyards in California (planted in 1885). The ungrafted, head-trained vines from steep limestone slopes just down the road from Justin Smith’s Saxum Winery have produced a monster and a fascinating Zinfandel in 2013. Coming in at 15.8% alcohol, the wine displays deep black raspberry and black cherry fruit, hints of crushed rock, and fresh acidity that is no doubt attributable to the pH of the limestone soils. The wine, in spite of its relatively lofty alcohol, comes across as remarkably elegant, concentrated, and stunningly proportioned. This full-bodied tour de force in Zinfandel winemaking should drink well for a decade or more.
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Wine Spectator
Potent and loaded with personality, featuring aromas of smoky black raspberry and licorice that open to complex, dense flavors of dried cherry, cracked pepper beef and grilled herb. The tannins are big and framed by loamy mineral details. Drink now through 2028.
Unapologetically bold, spice-driven and jammy, Zinfandel has secured its title as the darling of California vintners by adapting well to the state's diverse microclimates and landscapes. Born in Croatia, it later made its way to southern Italy where it was named Primitivo. Fortunately, the imperial nursery of Vienna catalogued specimens of the vine, and it later made its way to New England in 1829. Parading the true American spirit, Zinfandel found a new home in California during the Gold Rush of 1849. Somm Secret—California's ancient vines of Zinfandel are those that survived the neglect of Prohibition; today these vines produce the most concentrated, ethereal and complex examples.
Paso Robles has made a name for itself as a source of supple, powerful, fruit-driven Central Coast wines. But with eleven smaller sub-AVAs, there is actually quite a bit of diversity to be found in this inland portion of California’s Central Coast.
Just east over the Santa Lucia Mountains from the chilly Pacific Ocean, lie the coolest in the region: Adelaida, Templeton Gap and (Paso Robles) Willow Creek Districts, as well as York Mountain AVA and Santa Margarita Ranch. These all experience more ocean fog, wind and precipitation compared to the rest of the Paso sub-appellations. The San Miguel, (Paso Robles) Estrella, (Paso Robles) Geneso, (Paso Robles) Highlands, El Pomar and Creston Districts, along with San Juan Creek, are the hotter, more western appellations of the greater Paso Robles AVA.
This is mostly red wine country, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel standing out as the star performers. Other popular varieties include Merlot, Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot, Syrah, Grenache and Rhône blends, both red and white. There is a fairly uniform tendency here towards wines that are unapologetically bold and opulently fruit-driven, albeit with a surprising amount of acidity thanks to the region’s chilly nighttime temperatures.