Turley "Rorick" Zinfandel 2021
(Calaveras County, California) 750mL - [VM 91-93]

About the Winery:

Turley Wine Cellars was founded in Napa Valley by former emergency room physician Larry Turley in 1993. Under the direction of winemaker Tegan Passalacqua, Turley now makes 50 different wines from over 50 vineyards across California, 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.

Located just outside the Gold Rush town of Murphys in Calaveras County, this property has a ranching history dating back to 1844. In the 1960s, Barden Stevenot, the godfather of modern Calaveras winemaking, purchased the property and began planting grapes on the site's rugged and steeply-sloped hillsides. Matthew Rorick purchased the property in 2013 and converted the farm to organic practices.

Technical information:

Soil: Schist, limestone

Elevation: 1,850ft

Planted: 2000

Varieties: Zinfandel

Viticulture: Organically-farmed, hand harvested

Fermentation: Native yeast

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

Aging: 15 months in barrel Alcohol: 14.9%

Tasting notes:

Grown on a steep slope of primarily Schist and Limestone soils at 1850' in Calaveras County, this site's rugged locale makes for a richly textured and charismatic wine unlike anything else found in the Foothills. Dark, yet intensely mineral driven, this wine reflects the layered character of its farmer. Black stone fruits, lavender, baking spices, gravel, and intriguingly tense presence that will be best with a good decant.

Ratings & Reviews

91-93 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2021 Zinfandel Rorick Vineyard is very dark and intensely mineral. This powerhouse Zinfandel needs time to be at its best, but it has a ton to offer. Black cherry, lavender, cloves, gravel and licorice infuse the potent finish with quite a bit of character. Soils rich in schist yield Zinfandels endowed with tons of nervous energy." - Antonio Galloni, Jan 2023