Turley Kirschenmann Vineyard/2019

Blend

Zinfandel

Geographical Attributes

Positioned between the San Francisco Bay and the Sierra Nevada mountain range, the Lodi appellation, while relatively far inland, is able to maintain a classic Mediterranean climate featuring warm, sunny days and cool evenings. This is because the appellation is uniquely situated at the end of the Sacramento River Delta, which brings chilly, afternoon “delta breezes” to the area during the growing season. Lodi is a premier source of 100+ year old ancient Zinfandel vineyards—some dating back as far as 1888! With low yields of small berries, these heritage vines produce complex and bold wines, concentrated in rich and voluptuous, dark fruit. But Lodi doesn’t just produce Zinfandel; in fact, the appellation produces high quality wines from over 100 different grape varieties. Among them are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay and Sauvignon blanc as well as some of California's more rare and unique grapes. Lodi is recognized as an ideal spot for growing Spanish varieties like Albarino and Tempranillo, Portugese varieties—namely Touriga Nacional—as well as many German, Italian and French varieties. Soil types vary widely among Lodi’s seven sub-appellations (Cosumnes River, Alta Mesa, Deer Creek Hills, Borden Ranch, Jahant, Clements Hills and Mokelumne River). The eastern hills are clay-based and rocky and in the west, along the Mokelumne and Cosumnes Rivers, sandy and mineral-heavy soils support the majority of Lodi’s century-old own-rooted Zinfandel vineyards. Unique to Lodi are pink Rocklin-Jahant loam soils, mainly found in the Jahant sub-appellation.

Vintner Notes

Dark red fruits, black oolong tea, chaparral, and succulent roastmeats. Deeply layered and complex while remaining nimble on thepalate, with extremely well-integrated, fine-grained tannins.Profound and deep without being heady or brooding; like apedigreed intellectual who is perpetually in a good mood and notafraid to get their hands dirty. Will benefit aromatically from aquick decant, or can be laid down for several years in your cellar.

Ratings

Robert Parker 92.The medium ruby colored 2019 Zinfandel Kirschenmann Vineyard opens with a bit of tarry reduction over a core of black fruits and spices. The palate is offering much more at this youthful stage. It's packed with dark, spiced fruits and is medium-bodied, soft and fresh with an earthy finish. It has great potential and just needs more time in bottle.