Turley 2022 Evangelho Vineyard Zinfandel, Contra Costa County

94 points                                                          
Very limited Turley Frederick's Vinewyard Zinfandel now available.

95 Points Vinous: "The Turley Zinfandel Evangelho emerges from the front block of the vineyard, where the Zinfandel-based field blend includes Carignan, Mataro and Palomino. Dark and enveloping, it offers tremendous intensity and tons of character. Readers will find a wine of uncommon depth, complexity and pedigree."

94 Points Robert Parker: "Sourced from a historic site planted in the 1890s, the Turley 2022 Zinfandel Evangelho Vineyard is ethereal and captivating. Medium to deep ruby in the glass, it opens with aromas of muddled berries, crushed plums, black cherries and Graham crackers that gain intensity and additional floral tones with oxygen exposure. Medium-bodied on the palate, it is lighter on its feet than expected, entering the palate with a weightless, beautifully refined intensity that exudes bright fruits and floral perfume. The finish sneaks up on you with explosively bright acidity, a dusty tannin structure and ever-increasing layers with time. It will benefit from 2-3 years in the cellar and should drink confidently over the next decade or beyond."

...One of California's great wineries, Larry Turley's Turley Wine Cellars continues to play a critical role in safeguarding the Golden State's viticultural heritage, saving old, head-trained and sometimes own-rooted vineyards from destruction. With fully 29 different bottlings, Zinfandel (often complemented by small amounts of other co-planted varieties, such as Carignan and Grenache) is the standard-bearer here, though Turley also does a fantastic job with other varieties, most obviously Petite Syrah. Given how distinctive each of the single-vineyard bottlings is, it's tempting to suggest (though some will no doubt think it heretical) that Zinfandel might be the variety best adapted to expressing "terroir" in California."