Tasting Notes

WA97

The 2010 Petite Syrah Library Vineyard emerges from a parcel in downtown St. Helena planted in the late 1800s/early 1900s. As is the case with most of California’s heritage sites, the vineyard consists of a field blend, in this case with at least 26 different known varieties. The Library is one of the most unique wines I have ever tasted in California. Exotic and beguiling, the Library emerges from the glass with seemingly endless layers of high-toned red fruits, anise, orange peel and cinnamon. Powerful, rich, but never heavy, the Library is simply dazzling. Given the extensive Turley lineup, I imagine most readers have a hard time choosing which wines to buy, but for my money, the Library has to be at the top of the list. On a more sober note, I am told the city of St. Helena may be taking this parcel back to use for civic projects. In my view, it would be tragic to see a heritage site as great as this one, disappear. After all, a new school or library can be built in a number of places, but great, iconic wine can only be made in a few special places throughout the world. This is one of them. It is not too far fetched to envision a future in which California’s historic vineyards are classified as UNESCO heritage sites. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2030.

WS93

Bold and fragrant, with crushed rock, pepper and dried violet aromatics that give way to vivid wild blackberry, blueberry and sage underbrush notes. Powerful, but maintains an air of elegance, revealing velvety tannins in the background. Drink now…

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