2011 Turley Zinfandel Dragon Vineyard

Dragon Vineyard is an estate-owned and certified organic vineyard. Planted at 2,400 feet at one of the highest points on Howell Mountain, the vineyard sits well above the fog line and faces east. Vines aged 15 years. Rocky volcanic soils. Average annual rainfall is 46 in but all in winter. They drop twice as much fruit as they pick. Generously sweet aroma of blueberry, a little stemmy in a fragrant way. Very spicy, firm but very fine tannins. Has a transparency and elegance in the texture. A style for the winter.  (JH)

(15.5% alcohol): Bright red-ruby. Crushed berries and licorice on the nose and palate, accented by lavender and Provencal herbs. Densely packed, sweet and layered, offering a compelling savory quality and a distinctly chewy texture. For all its considerable sweetness, the very long finish remains remarkably vibrant. The serious ripe tannins give this wine the underpinning for a graceful evolution in bottle. Larry Turley recommends pairing this with lamb shoulder done with garlic and thyme.

The 2011 Zinfandel Dragon Vineyard stands out for its rich, layered personality. It isn't among the most complex or nuanced wines of the year, but instead stands out for its generous, inviting personality. Ideally, the 2011 needs a few years to drop some of its baby fat, something I never thought I would say about a wine from this challenging harvest.