A Zinfandel Weekend in Amador Series: Turley Wine Cellars
LOCATION: 10851 Shenandoah Rd Plymouth
COST PER TASTING: $15/ Tasting
The tasting room is cozy and casual yet truly unique in its artistic identity. Turley’s tasting room consists of the indoor bar featuring art from Turley’s label; a moon, sun, and stars depiction, symbolizing owner Larry Turley, his wife and four daughters. Outside, ample outdoor seating can be found under a covered patio, perfect for a BBQ gathering. Round tables encourage group tastings complete with comfortable seating dressed in Mexican style blankets.
Memberships at Turley wines are singular in that they do not require a subscription delivery or membership fee. Instead, Turley focuses on longevity through the cultivation of relationships with members who love their wine, using alerts to members after every release in order for them to secure their allocations at will. Members also have the opportunity to join unique members-only events such as pick-up parties and the highly coveted, “Taste and Trot” event, a very special affair involving wine tasting while walking through the vineyards.
Turley Vineyards is best known for their single varietal vineyard designated Zinfandel. Turley features wines made from several vineyards including the famed Rinaldi and Story vineyard both 100+ years old. The philosophy of Turley involves using site-specific vineyard blocks to create wines of place. Winemaker Nick Finnarelli notes that Turley’s wines focus on “expressing terroir and purity of fruit expression.” Out of the many vineyards Nick works with to source grapes, Rinaldi vineyard, originally established in 1865, is certainly one of the most magical. This vineyard is a historical site found between 1,600 to 2,000 feet above sea level in the Fiddletown AVA, glittered with glinting granite jewels and gnarly Zinfandel vines. The grapes from Rinaldi are grown in small loose clusters and bursting with intense flavor.
Wines:
2019 Shake Ridge Vineyard Zinfandel, Sierra Foothills AVA | 14.6% AVB, | (Newly released. SRP is TBD)
Available at the tasting room only. Grapes farmed by Anne Kramer. Located on a ridge top parcel sitting at about 1500ft above sea level the grapes from Shake Ridge Vineyard is unusually energetic for a Zinfandel with a certain delicacy, slightly smooth mouthfeel like a dry stone, with integrated tannins that are far from grippy. Notes of crème of Violette, Blackberry, fig, and that characteristic austerity of a refined high altitude Wine. Suggested Pair: Grilled cheese featuring sharp white cheddar from Dedrick Cheese in Placerville (@dedrickscheese) and local blueberry jam
2019 Sadie Upton | 15.6% ABV | $44 ($40 members)
Just two parcels over from the tasting room Sadie Upton’s pre-prohibition era vines produce just a few tons for this small production indulgence. Aromas of farmers Market blackberries, perfumed purple floral component give this wine a feminine feel balanced with notes of wet rock, crumbly gravel and light toasted cedar add to the wines complexity. Overall the wine feels lush and has a silky mouth feel. Drink now though 2030. Suggested Pair: Grilled apricots and peach chutney spoon over double-cut pork chops. Drizzle with a touch of Amador County honey.
2018 Judge Bell 15.7% ABV | $35 ($32 members)
Muscular wine. Comes from Story vineyards, brilliant acidity expressed through blood orange notes, taught chiseled tannin and lean fruit character. Reminiscent of the grasslands sage, rosemary and other resinous herbal aromas that can be found in the grasslands surrounding Story vineyard. The quintessential Amador County Zin. Suggested Pair: Pair with Deaver Ranch Lamb Sandwich thinly sliced on a soft French roll made with savory “Au Jus” stlye dipping sauce
2018 Rinaldi Vineyards, Fiddletown AVA | $70 | 100 cases produced
Blue and black fruits characteristic of a cool vineyard site. Tight gripping tannin. Suggested Pair: Grilled Portobello sandwich with melted Camembert cheese with roasted Mediterranean vegetables in Farro salad