The 1997 Zinfandel Moore (Earthquake) Vineyard (from 91-year old vines; 17.1% alcohol) is spectacular. From its saturated black purple color, to its knock-out aromatics of framboise, raspberries, kirsch (essentially the entire spectrum of red and black fruits seems to be present in this wine), this gorgeous, massively-endowed, jammy yet structured Zinfandel easily disguises its 17.1% alcohol under its remarkable concentration and intensity. It should drink well for another decade. As I have stated many times in the past, Turley Cellars' offerings have become the reference point for Zinfandel, as they are the most complex, concentrated, hedonistic wines ever produced from this varietal. Critics claim the alcohol levels are too high, but proprietor Larry Turley and his winemaker, Ehren Jordan, would argue that the alcohol levels are high only because they harvested fully ripe fruit. Turley and Jordan have also taken the art of wine making to a higher playing field. At the same time, they have resurrected a bevy of old head-pruned Zinfandel vineyards that had largely been ignored, or had their crops sold off to be unceremoniously blended into white Zinfandel. Turley Cellars' goal is to produce 10,000 cases of unfiltered, hand-crafted Zinfandel. As for the 1997 Zinfandels, Larry Turley feels they "are the best wines we have yet made." The wines are amazingly good, and as the following tasting notes suggest, readers could buy blind here and always end up with a juicy, complex, mouth filling Zinfandel. Tel. (707) 963-0940

Bright ruby. Spicy, superripe aromas of blackberry jam, minerals and pepper. Massive wine, like a fruit essence. Really packs a wallop. Wonderfully ripe and layered. This has a strong tannic structure and outstanding persistence. May well equal the great '94 bottling.