Turley Zinfandel Contra Costa County Duarte Vineyard 2009

Good dark red. Musky, rather low-toned aromas of dried cherry, licorice root, dark chocolate and dried flowers. The dried fruit quality continues in the mouth, where the wine is large-scaled and ripe but not particularly sweet or vibrant. Finishes with impressive breadth but I wanted a bit more verve.

The dark garnet/plum-hued 2009 Zinfandel Duarte Vineyard possesses abundant sandy, loamy soil notes intermixed with hints of kirsch, black currants, sweet tannins and a medium-bodied, front end-loaded, fruity style meant to be consumed over the next 3-4 years.

The 2008 Zinfandel Duarte Vineyard from the Contra Costa appellation exhibits plenty of loamy soil notes intermixed with sweet kirsch, licorice, and lavender in its Rhone Valley-like personality. It reveals abundant texture, a supple, full-bodied mouthfeel, and a layered finish. Consume it over the next 5-7 years.

Good bright medium ruby. Explosive, superripe aromas of black cherry and licorice pastille; slightly high-toned and porty. Big, chewy, rich and sweet, with a creamy chocolatey flavor and an intriguing musky soil element.

From Contra Costa County's sandy soils, the 2007 Zinfandel Duarte Vineyard is a plush effort displaying black fruit and loamy soil characteristics as well as excellent ripeness, and no hint of herbaceousness. It is smooth, tasty, and best consumed over the next 3-5 years.

From a vineyard planted in 1896 in pure sand, the 2000 Zinfandel Duarte Vineyard exhibits aromas of white flowers, blueberries, raspberries, and cherries. For a Contra Costa Zin, it is unusually powerful. This layered, full-bodied, beautifully crafted, unctuously-textured 2000 possesses great fruit along with plenty of presence on the palate. With an explosive bouquet, gorgeously ripe flavors, and a super finish, it is one of the finest Duarte Zinfandels Turley has made. Consume it over the nest 7-8 years.