Turley Cabernet Sauvignon

Turley Cabernet Sauvignon is a certified organic, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley bottled at 14.8% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2022 vintage earned 94 points from Wine Advocate, while the 2021 scored 94 points from Vinous and 93 from Wine Spectator — consistent critical recognition that reflects the seriousness of this estate-grown bottling.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.8%  |  Origin: St. Helena, Napa Valley, California  |  100% Cabernet Sauvignon  |  Producer: Turley Wine Cellars

Production & Heritage

Larry Turley founded Turley Wine Cellars in 1993 in Napa Valley, building a reputation largely on old-vine Zinfandel and Petite Sirah. The Cabernet Sauvignon represents a different side of the estate, sourced from vines planted in 1989 on volcanic and alluvial soils in northern Napa Valley's St. Helena sub-AVA. The vineyard forms the eastern border of the Turley estate, flanked by ancient oak trees and a 150-year-old olive grove. Fermentation relies entirely on native yeast — no commercial strains — and the wine ages for 18 months in 100% French oak barrels, 40% of which are new. The vineyard is certified organic, a distinction that remains relatively uncommon among single-vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet producers.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with concentrated dark currant and cassis, layered with savory garrigue, freshly roasted coffee, and ink. Deeper exploration reveals charred cedar, pipe tobacco, violet, dried bay leaves, and turned earth floating above a core of pure dark and red fruits.

Taste: The entry is suave and generous, immediately coating the palate with boysenberry, plum, and black fruit. At mid-palate, a surge of juicy red raspberry provides unexpected brightness and balance against the wine's full-bodied structure. Finely grained tannins and vibrant acidity keep the weight in check, with mineral and clove notes adding complexity through the peak.

Finish: The finish is long and structured, with a gentle dryness that lingers alongside echoes of cedar and dark fruit. Tannins remain present but refined, suggesting strong aging potential while remaining approachable now.

How to Drink Turley Cabernet

This wine rewards a generous pour into a large-bowled glass at cellar temperature, around 60–65°F. Decanting for 30 to 60 minutes opens the aromatic complexity considerably. While this is primarily a wine built for the table and contemplation, its fruit concentration and structure also make it a strong foundation in wine-forward cocktails: a Cabernet Cobbler benefits from the dark fruit intensity and tannic backbone; a classic Kalimotxo (red wine and cola) takes on unexpected depth with a wine this layered; and a New York Sour uses the Cab's acidity and berry notes as a striking red wine float over bourbon.

Best For

• Cellaring for five to ten years to let the French oak integration and tannin structure evolve
• Hosting a Napa Valley Cabernet tasting alongside other single-vineyard bottlings
• Gifting a wine enthusiast who already knows Turley's Zinfandels but hasn't explored the estate Cabernet
• Pairing with a grilled prime rib dinner or holiday roast

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Turley Cabernet taste like? Turley Cabernet Sauvignon delivers concentrated dark currant, boysenberry, and cassis with savory undercurrents of cedar, coffee, and garrigue. It is full-bodied with finely grained tannins, bright acidity, and a structured, gently dry finish.

How does Turley Cabernet compare to Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon? Both are Napa Valley Cabernets, but Turley leans into a more savory, structured profile with native-yeast fermentation and certified organic farming, while Caymus is typically known for a riper, more fruit-forward and plush style. Turley's 40% new French oak regimen is also more restrained than some Napa peers, contributing a wine with more earth and minerality relative to its fruit weight.

Is Turley Cabernet good for sipping neat? Absolutely — its layered aromatics, balanced tannin structure, and persistent finish make it an excellent choice for drinking on its own, ideally after a brief decant to let the wine fully open.

Where is Turley Cabernet made? Turley Cabernet Sauvignon is produced by Turley Wine Cellars in St. Helena, within the Napa Valley AVA of California. The estate vineyard sits on volcanic and alluvial soils in northern Napa, bordered by old-growth oaks and a historic olive grove.

What foods pair well with Turley Cabernet? Grilled or roasted red meats like ribeye steak or lamb rack match the wine's tannic structure and dark fruit. Hard aged cheeses such as Comté or aged Gouda echo the savory, earthy qualities. Braised short ribs complement the full body and cedar notes, while dark chocolate desserts harmonize with the coffee and cassis tones. Herb-crusted roasted vegetables also pair well, picking up on the wine's garrigue character.

What sizes does Turley Cabernet come in? Turley Cabernet Sauvignon is available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Turley Cabernet worth the price? Turley Cabernet positions as a premium single-vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, and its certified organic farming, estate fruit, native-yeast fermentation, and consistent 93–94 point critical scores place it competitively within its tier. For collectors and serious drinkers seeking a less commercially styled Napa Cab with genuine terroir expression, it represents strong value relative to peers at similar price points.

Why Turley Cabernet?

While Turley Wine Cellars built its name on old-vine Zinfandel and Petite Sirah, the estate Cabernet Sauvignon stands as a quiet counterpoint — a certified organic, single-vineyard wine from 1989 plantings on volcanic soils in St. Helena. The commitment to 100% native yeast fermentation and measured use of new French oak produces a Cabernet that favors structure and site expression over extraction and ripeness. Consistent critical recognition across multiple publications — 94 points from both Wine Advocate and Vinous — confirms that this is not a side project but a serious, age-worthy Napa Valley red. For anyone who appreciates organically farmed, terroir-driven Cabernet Sauvignon without sacrificing richness or complexity, this bottling makes a compelling case.