93+ 2014 Turley Dragon Zinfandel (Howell Mtn) 6/10/16 ($50)
63% Teldeschi Zin, 15.9% alc
Color: Very deep purple garnet. (3.5) Bouquet: Blackberry preserves and ripe/tart plums with elegant herbal nuances underneath. Concentrated and gorgeous. (3.5) Body: Heavyweight with a rich, silky mouthfeel that coats big time. Outstanding fruit, acidity and smooth tannins. (3.5) Flavor: Parallels bouquet, but shows a little heat and slight bitterness. Minerality comes on here, which I like a lot. (3.0) Finish: Very long and interesting with mineral and herb nuances lingering, some black peppery tannins and a touch of heat. (3.0)
Overall: A truly special vineyard, showing the rich, smooth character and herbal complexity that one would expect from a top notch Howell Moutain Zin. It does reflect the Turley style, being ripe and high in alcohol, but shows surprisingly little heat, being balanced by excellent acidity and the fruit is very pure (not over-ripe). Also shows sneaky tannins underneath. This is already a joy to drink with a decanting, but should reward some time in bottle. Not quite as accessible and immediately delicious as the 2012, but a bigger, more concentrated wine that has the potential to overtake the '12 in the next 3-6 years. (16.5)
Copyright © 2006 - 2016, Paul DeRose , WineOutpost.com