2010 Turley Zinfandel Hayne Vineyard

From vines planted in 1902, 2010 Zinfandel Hayne Vineyard is pure refinement in the glass. Subtle and gracious, the 2010 caresses the palate with layers of sweet red-hued fruit. The Hayne is an easy wine to underestimate, as its qualities aren't quite as obvious as those of other wines, but make no mistake about it, this super polished wine has a lot going for it. A finessed, silky finish rounds things out in style.

From vines planted in 1902, 2010 Zinfandel Hayne Vineyard is pure refinement in the glass. Subtle and gracious, the 2010 caresses the palate with layers of sweet red-hued fruit. The Hayne is an easy wine to underestimate, as its qualities aren’t quite as obvious as those of other wines, but make no mistake about it, this super polished wine has a lot going for it. A finessed, silky finish rounds things out in style. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2025. This is a thrilling set of wines from Larry Turley, Ehren Jordan and Tegan Passalacqua. Tasting this wide a range of 2010 and 2011 Zinfandels and Petite Syrahs is like taking a master class in California terroir. The house style favors an expression of Zinfandel and Petite Syrah built on aromatic intensity and elegance, which Jordan credits to gentle extractions. At times, the wines come across as quite Burgundian in the way they express richness but not excess heaviness. Over the last few years, the wines have become a little more laid-back and less overtly ripe, which is a net positive given that the starting point for all of these wines is fruit of exceptional quality. The Petite Syrahs in particular are noteworthy because they are among the few wines that find the elegance Petite Syrah is capable of, while avoiding the massive tannins that are so typical elsewhere. The 2010s are strong across the board, although Turley did not bottle a few of their wines from sites that got scorched by the heat spikes, which includes the Highway 101 and Zampatti. The 2011s are more variable, as befits a vintage that had much less favorable conditions overall. Tel. (707) 963-0940

(15.8% alcohol; tasted from tank): Good full ruby. Blackberry and crushed pepper aromas are lifted by an exotic nuance. Creamy and lush but with excellent verve, already conveying a strong impression of personality. The intense blackberry, black cherry and licorice flavors are lifted by lovely violet perfume. Wonderfully floral, elegant zinfandel with superb sappy thrust. Stains the palate on the finish, offering suave tannins, a magically light touch and penetrating black cherry and floral flavors.