2013 Zinfandel Hayne Vineyard
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Tasting notes
(15.4% alcohol): Bright medium red with moderate saturation. Marvelously aromatic nose combines fresh raspberry, forest floor scents and an ineffable floral quality; this young Zinfandel reminded me of Chambolle-Musigny. Like a fruit essence in the mouth without being sweet, conveying a powerful impression of energy to its sharply delineated flavors of red fruits, flowers and orange zest. This wonderfully refined Zinfandel finishes with perfectly integrated tannins and superb subtle persistence. At once drier and less liqueur-like than the 2012, this wine can be enjoyed now owing to its balance and light touch but should enjoy a graceful evolution in bottle. Interestingly, Tegan Passalacqua described 2013 as a slightly warmer season for this vineyard than 2012, with a bit more stress, and he expressed the opinion that this wine also has a somewhat stronger structure.
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2013 Zinfandel Hayne Vineyard shows just how special this St. Helena site is. Perfumed and aromatically compelling, the 2013 is laced with bright red cherry, flowers and sweet spices, with a hint of blood orange that adds aromatic lift. The Hayne is both deep but also notably weightless. Drink this beautifully balanced, harmonious Zinfandel over the next 15+ years.
Not yet in bottle is the 2013 Zinfandel Hayne Vineyard. Often a candidate for the top Zinfandel in any vintage (along with the Jackass Hill of Martinelli, a handful of Zinfandels from Carlisle, and more recently Bedrock and Limerick Lane), this wine from a vineyard on the west side of St. Helena tucked under the Mayacamas Mountains has been a staple of Turley’s brilliant winemaking for many, many years. These head-pruned, dry-farmed vines were planted in 1902 and 1903, and the wine seems to be a perfect messenger for them, providing power and elegance, no matter what the vintage seems to offer. No doubt the root systems go down so deep that the vintage differences are often negated by this extraordinary terroir. The 2013 has a dense ruby/plum color and is full-bodied and rich, with brambleberry, blackberry, black cherry fruit and a full-bodied mouthfeel, but (possibly because it is still a barrel sample) not showing the nuances that the bottled 2013s possess. It’s all there, and this wine seems loaded, but I suspect my comments and score are conservative based on what will ultimately turn out in bottle.
The 2013 Zinfandel Hayne Vineyard brings together power and finesse as few sites can. Quite simply, the Hayne is one of the most complete wines in the lineup. Bright red stone fruits, orange peel, white pepper and crushed rocks all add nuance to the exotic, high-toned finish. What a striking wine this is.
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.