2005 Turley Zinfandel Dragon Vineyard
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Tasting notes
(from richer soil than the Rattlesnake Ridge) Deep red with ruby highlights. Enticing aromas of raspberry liqueur and cracked pepper. Creamy, fat and sweet, with a distinctly liqueur-like character complicated by a whiff of meat. Next to the comparatively ethereal Rattlesnake Ridge zin, this is distinctly richer and a bit chunkier-not to mention riper and larger-scaled.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Another winner from Howell Mountain is the 2005 Zinfandel Dragon Vineyard. It shows beautiful crushed rock, acacia flower, raspberry, blueberry, and blackberry characteristics, full body, supple tannin, and decent acidity. It won’t make old bones, but for drinking during its first 4-5 years of life, it is impressively constituted as well as well-balanced. Previously recommended: As indicated last year, 2004 was a terrific vintage for Turley Zinfandels. If they can still be found, I would opt for purchasing them over their lighter 2005 counterparts. The 2004 reds include: Petite Syrah Hayne Vineyard (97), Petite Syrah Library Vineyard (97), Petite Syrah Rattlesnake Ridge (97), Petite Syrah Turley Estate (94), Zinfandel Dogtown Vineyard (88), Zinfandel Dragon Vineyard (94), Zinfandel Duarte (92), Zinfandel Dusi Vineyard (90), Zinfandel Grist Vineyard (94), Zinfandel Hayne Vineyard (95), Zinfandel Juvenile (89), Zinfandel Mead Ranch (89), Zinfandel Moore Earthquake Vineyard (92), Zinfandel Old Vines (91), Zinfandel Pesenti Vineyard (92), Zinfandel Rancho Escondido (89), Zinfandel Rattlesnake Ridge (92), Zinfandel Tofanelli Vineyard (89), Zinfandel Turley Estate (91), Zinfandel Ueberroth Vineyard (92), Zinfandel Vineyard 101 (95). Not yet released. Tel. (707) 963-0940; Fax (707) 963-8683
About the producer
Founded in 1993, Turley Cellars is a leading name in California Zinfandel and Petite Syrah. The winery has helped preserve the state’s old-vine heritage, farming historic vineyards organically and producing distinctive single-vineyard wines known for their character and longevity.