Professional Ratings
- 95 Points – Wine Advocate (Robert Parker)
- 92–94 Points – Vinous (Antonio Galloni)
Review
From century-old, own-rooted vines growing in Lodi's sandy soils, the 2021 Kirschenmann Vineyard Zinfandel is one of Turley's most elegant bottlings. Aromas of wild strawberry, black cherry, rose petal, mint, white pepper, and earthlead to a silky palate of red berries, plum, spice, orange peel, and mineral notes. Bright acidity and refined tannins provide remarkable freshness and balance, finishing long with floral lift and subtle spice.
Professional Assessment
Strengths
- Exceptional purity from 100+ year-old own-rooted vines.
- Elegant, restrained style compared with many California Zinfandels.
- Silky texture with vibrant acidity and outstanding site expression.
- Excellent aging potential through 2035–2036.
Overall Verdict
94/100 — Outstanding. One of California's benchmark single-vineyard Zinfandels, the 2021 Kirschenmann beautifully balances old-vine concentration with finesse, showcasing why this historic vineyard is among Turley's most celebrated sites.
95pts Wine Advocate
From vines planted in 1915, the 2021 Zinfandel Kirschenmann Vineyard has a medium ruby color and some rubbery tones on the nose to begin, unfurling with air to wafts of mint leaves, dark cherries and earth. The medium-bodied palate has a silky texture, mouthwatering acidity and elegant yet concentrated berry flavors. It's easy to drink yet expressive after some time in the glass and will benefit from some time in a decanter.
94pts Vinous
The 2021 Zinfandel Kirschenmann Vineyard is superb. In most vintages, the Kirschenmann can be a bit light, but in 2021 it offers a beguiling mix of its typical floral qualities, but with an extra kick of depth that holds everything together so well. Bright red berry fruit, rose petal, chalk, min and white pepper are some of the many notes that grace this striking Lodi Zinfandel from Turley. (Antonio Galloni)
Winemaker Notes
Organically farmed, own-rooted, head-trained, and dry-farmed vines planted in 1915 in the silica-rich sandy soils of the east side of the Mokelumne River AVA. Marking the 10th vintage of this wine, bright, ripe red fruits, raspberry preserves, and white pepper burst forth from the glass. Precise on the palate like a perfectly seasoned piece of meat, with more red berries and a sumptuously complex texture.
Larry took one sip, sighed and said, “This makes me want to cook lamb!” Drinking well now (especially with the aforementioned lamb) and will stay fresh in the cellar thanks to the bracing acidity.
The Kirschenmann is particularly close to our hearts as our winemaker, Tegan Passalacqua, owns and farms this vineyard. The ungrafted vines were planted in 1915 in the silica-rich sandy soils of the east side of the Mokelumne River AVA. Thanks to the river's cool waters and delta breezes, these head-trained, dry-farmed vines are constantly protected from the heat.
Turley Wine Cellars makes forty-seven wines from over fifty vineyards, the vast majority of which are single vineyard designate Zinfandels and Petite Syrahs. By focusing on old vine vineyards in particular, Turley aims to both create and preserve California's unique winemaking culture.
All of our vineyards are either certified organic by California Certified Organic Farmers or somewhere in the process, and we use all natural yeasts in the fermentations.
We aim to be stewards of some of California's most historic vineyards, producing distinctive wines that reflect their heritage.
