Turley Dusi Vineyard Zinfandel 2022
(Paso Robles, California) - [WS 95] [WA 93] [VM 91-94] [DM 91]

About the Winery:
Turley Wine Cellars was founded in Napa Valley by former emergency room physician Larry Turley in 1993. The wines were originally made by Helen Turley (Marcassin anyone?) and are now made by Tegan Passalacqua, who honed his winemaking skills at Craggy Range in New Zealand and with Alain Graillot of Northern Rhone fame.

Turley makes historic California wines from over 50 vineyards across the state, primarily Zinfandel and Petite Syrah, with many vines dating back to the late 1800s. By farming organically and focusing on old vine vineyards of these varieties, Turley aims to both create and preserve California’s unique winemaking culture. 

About this Wine:
The Dusi vineyard was planted by Dante Dusi in 1945 and it is farmed by his family to this day. The vines are head-trained and dry-farmed, planted in soil that is mostly alluvial with some very large rocks. Like our other vineyards in the area, Dusi is on the west side of Paso Robles, in the cool Templeton Gap sub-AVA.

• AVA: Paso Robles

• Sub-AVA: Templeton Gap

• Soil: Alluvial

• Plantings: 1945

• Varieties: Zinfandel

• Viticulture: Head-trained, dry-farmed, hand harvested

• Fermentation: Native yeast

• Barrels: 80% used oak, 20% new, 80% French oak, 20% American

• Aging: 15 months in barrel

• Bottled unfined and unfiltered

Tasting Notes: This wine is one of the most plush and hedonistic we make at Turley. Fragrant, ripe red fruits at the forefront, with lift, energy, and approachability. Raspberry preserves and a hint of chocolate on the palate, with a luscious, velvety, prolonged finish.

Ratings & Reviews

95 Points - Wine Spectator:
"A seductive Zin that's rich and polished yet handsomely structured, with detailed flavors of raspberry, cranberry, roasted sage and loamy white pepper that end with big but refined tannins. Drink now through 2035. 1,732 cases made." - Tim Fish (May 2025)

93 Points - Wine Advocate:
"The 2022 Zinfandel Dusi Vineyard is pale ruby-garnet in color, showing a plethora of red berry fruit, dried orange peel, raspberry preserves, new leather and botanical perfume that hangs in the background alongside hints of ethanol-driven heat. The palate is surprisingly red-fruited and light on its feet with a high-toned, lifted energy and an approachable texture. The finish is beamingly bright and acid-driven—so much so that it comes off as slightly disjointed at this early stage—and transitions to a long, complex finish." - Matthew Luczy (Jun 2024)

91-94 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2022 Zinfandel Dusi Vineyard is racy, silky and super-expressive. Crushed flowers, Kirsch, sweet red berry fruit, mint, white pepper and citrus are all beautifully lifted in this sculpted, vibrant, mid-weight Paso Robles Zinfandel." - Antonio Galloni (Dec 2023)

91 Points - Decanter Magazine:
"The aromatic nose bursts with peach yoghurt, melon and tangerine. The palate is tangy and zingy, embodying the classic spice marker of old-school Zinfandel, with potpourri-like notes of dried orange peel and warm spices. This is an homage to traditional California Zinfandel, celebrating its heritage from the historic Dusi Vineyard, with over 100 years of history in Paso. To modernise this classic California wine, enjoy it lightly chilled." - Brianne Cohen (Sep 2024)