1999 Turley Petite Sirah Hayne Vineyard
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Tasting notes
(15.2% alcohol): Full dark ruby with a hint of development at the rim. High-toned and wild on the nose, showing a distinctly rustic leathery quality. Very sweet and silky in the mouth, conveying a porty dried fruit and licorice character and obviously elevated volatile acidity. The wine's slighly cooked quality and drying tannins suggest that it is past its peak and should be consumed soon. This was the only bottle in the tasting that significantly underperformed based on my early note on the wine.
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Potentially perfect, the 1999 Petite-Syrah Hayne Vineyard (475 cases, 15.2% alcohol) is a 50-year wine. If it is showing any age after a decade of cellaring, I will be as surprised as its producers. An opaque black/blue color is followed by an extraordinary perfume of blackberry and creme de cassis blended with spices, minerals, and earth. Frightfully tannic, with unreal concentration, texture, and length, this behemoth is one of the most concentrated wines I have ever tasted. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2050+. Tel. (707) 963-0940
Saturated black-ruby to the rim. Unforthcoming but pure aromas of dark berries, violet and dark chocolate. Less sweet than the zinfandel, and more muscular, but there amazingly dense blackberry and licorice flavors and powerful underlying spine. Shows much less oak spice character than the Hayne zin: "This wine always eats the oak early," notes Jordan. Finishes very long, with big, chewy tannins. This is a good degree and a half lower in alcohol than the Hayne zin. Superb petite sirah, but the Rattlesnake bottling may possess even more fruit.
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.