2024 Turley - Zinfandel Napa Juvenile (750ml)

Turley Wine Cellars was founded in 1993 by Larry Turley, a former emergency room physician who set out to champion California's old vine heritage rather than follow Napa Valley's drift toward Cabernet Sauvignon. Under winemaker Tegan Passalacqua, the winery now farms more than fifty vineyards across the state, many planted in the late 1800s, with an emphasis on Zinfandel and Petite Syrah grown organically and picked at low yields. That commitment to preservation and authenticity, paired with a hands-off approach in the cellar, has made Turley one of California's most respected stewards of historic Zinfandel vineyards.

Juvenile takes its name from the younger vines, generally between six and forty years old, that have been replanted within several of Turley's old vine sites across the state, including fruit from Hayne, Ueberroth, Pesenti, and other storied vineyards. First produced in 1999, it serves as the accessible entry point into the Turley portfolio while still reflecting the winery's core philosophy of organic farming and minimal intervention. The wine is fermented with native yeast and aged in a mix of French and American oak, mostly used barrels, then bottled unfined to preserve its bright, unfiltered character.

The 2024 Juvenile offers crushed flowers, sweet red berry fruit, and a lift of spice and mint, with a mid-weight, perfumed structure that stays juicy and approachable. Silky tannins and a touch of savory pepper round out the finish. It pairs well with barbecued ribs, a charcuterie board, or a simple margherita pizza.