Turley Old Vine Zinfandel 2022

Turley Old Vine Zinfandel 2022 is a multi-region California Zinfandel blend bottled at 15.2% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Scored 92 points by Erin Brooks for Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, this vintage draws fruit from 25 vineyards spanning seven California appellations, all with vines at least 50 years old — a threshold Turley enforces more rigorously than most producers in the state.

Quick Facts: ABV: 15.2%  |  Origin: California, USA (Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, Contra Costa, Lodi, Amador, San Joaquin)  |  2022 Vintage  |  Winery: Turley Wine Cellars

Production & Heritage

Turley Wine Cellars was founded in 1993 by Larry Turley with a singular focus on old-vine Zinfandel and Petite Syrah from heritage California vineyards. The 2022 Old Vines bottling is composed of 95% Zinfandel with 5% field-blend varieties including Mataro, Alicante Bouschet, Petite Syrah, Grenache, and Cinsault — varieties often co-planted alongside Zinfandel in California's oldest vineyards. Fermentation relies entirely on native yeasts, and the wine ages for 12 months in 80% used oak barriques, split roughly 80% French and 20% American, preserving fruit purity without heavy oak influence. The vines contributing to this cuvée range from 50 to 130 years old, making it a true compendium of California Zinfandel heritage.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with crushed plums and wild berry preserves, then unfolds into layers of tobacco leaf, red fruits, peach, and citrus. A subtle anise accent and autumnal undertones give the bouquet depth and polish beyond what the "Old Vines" label alone might suggest.

Taste: The entry is lighter and more graceful than the 15.2% ABV would indicate, carrying a light- to medium-bodied frame. Mid-palate, raspberry and cranberry mingle with blackberry cobbler richness, savory anise, and black pepper. Bright acidity keeps the jammy core in check, adding energy and drinkability throughout.

Finish: The finish is moderately long, marked by briary tannins and a dusty, subtly textured structure. Lingering notes of licorice and savory pepper provide a satisfying close that invites another sip.

How to Drink Turley Old Vines Zin

This wine rewards a slight chill — around 60–65°F — and opens beautifully in a large-bowled glass after 20–30 minutes of air. It drinks well on its own but also has enough structure and spice for cocktail-adjacent wine applications.

• Classic Sangria: The bold berry and spice profile holds up against citrus and brandy without losing its identity.
• Mulled Wine: Blackberry and anise notes amplify warm spice additions like cinnamon and clove during cooler months.
• Kalimotxo: The rich fruit concentration and briary tannins balance the cola's sweetness in this Basque-inspired serve.

Best For

• A weekend barbecue centerpiece alongside smoked ribs or pulled pork
• Gifting a Zinfandel enthusiast who values vineyard provenance over flash
• Building a vertical or horizontal California Zinfandel tasting
• A hearty weeknight dinner wine that over-delivers for its tier

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Turley Old Vines Zin taste like? It leads with ripe raspberry, cranberry, and blackberry cobbler flavors layered with savory anise, black pepper, and a subtle licorice undertone. Despite its 15.2% ABV, it carries a light- to medium-bodied frame with bright acidity and briary tannins.

How does Turley Old Vines Zin compare to Ridge Lytton Springs? Both are benchmark California old-vine Zinfandel blends that incorporate co-planted field varieties, but Ridge Lytton Springs draws exclusively from a single Dry Creek Valley vineyard while Turley sources across seven distinct regions. Turley's multi-appellation approach yields a broader, more layered fruit profile, whereas Lytton Springs tends toward a more site-specific, structured expression.

Is Turley Old Vines Zin good for sipping neat? Absolutely — the polished tannin structure, bright acidity, and complex aromatics make it an engaging wine to drink on its own. A brief decant or 20 minutes in a wide glass helps the layered fruit and spice aromatics fully emerge.

Where is Turley Old Vines Zin made? Turley Wine Cellars is based in St. Helena, Napa Valley, California, and was founded by Larry Turley in 1993. The Old Vines bottling specifically sources fruit from 25 vineyards across Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, Contra Costa, Lodi, Amador, and San Joaquin counties.

What foods pair well with Turley Old Vines Zin? Smoked brisket or pulled pork highlights the wine's berry intensity and peppery spice. Lamb burgers with blue cheese echo its savory depth. Wood-fired pizza with Italian sausage matches its rustic character. Dark chocolate with sea salt bridges the briary tannins and fruit sweetness. Hard aged cheeses like Manchego complement the wine's dusty tannin texture.

What sizes does Turley Old Vines Zin come in? The standard bottling is available in 750ml format.

Is Turley Old Vines Zin worth the price? Turley Old Vines Zinfandel positions as a mid-premium California Zinfandel that punches well above its price tier, given the 92-point Wine Advocate score, Jancis Robinson's 17-point rating, and the verifiable old-vine sourcing from across seven appellations. For a wine blending fruit from vines aged 50 to 130 years, it represents strong value within the old-vine Zinfandel category.

Why Turley Old Vines Zin?

What separates this bottling from the crowded California Zinfandel field is Turley's strict 50-year minimum vine age requirement — a standard that exceeds any official industry definition and ensures genuine old-vine character in every vintage. The 2022 release drew recognition from two of the wine world's most respected critics, earning 92 points from Erin Brooks at Wine Advocate and 17 points from Jancis Robinson. Native-yeast fermentation and restrained use of predominantly French oak allow the vineyard character — not winemaking intervention — to define the glass. Across seven California appellations and 25 individual vineyards, this wine tells the story of the state's oldest Zinfandel plantings in a single, remarkably cohesive bottle.