James Ellerby

9.5

Delicious primitive, bursting with rich fruit and smooth mellow tannins. Worked perfectly with a slow cooked Caribbean goat curry — 3 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

A solid rich Ruby red with no tawny rim. Looks way younger than 27 years. An earthy, plummy leathery perfume with same earthy, plummy and minerally medium to full bodied palate - a sweaty saddle classic old Hunter Valley style. Medium plus intensity of flavour with great persistence. Demonstrates the amazing longevity of old vine Hunter Valley Shiraz. I think you could safely drink this into the late 2020s. Honouring the Hunter Valley legend, Maurice O’Shea, who made great wine in primitive conditions In the late 1940s and 1950’s. About 15 years ago I had a 1952 Mount Pleasant Shiraz made by the great man - just medium bodied and still full of energy. — 3 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

Very primary showing its Youth on nose and palate. The perfume of the Pinot Noir and the spice of the Syrah - both varieties grow well in the Yarra, expertly blended by Steve Flamsteed. Not sure who else would make this blend around the world but it was a blend used in the late 40’s and 50’s in the Hunter Valley by the legendary Maurice OShea who crafted some amazing wines in primitive conditions by gaslight. This version from Giant Steps is designed to be eminently smashable and it is as our Delectable friend from the Adelaide Hills, Scott Rowe said as well. The ultimate out door Bistro Wine in an Australian Spring bursting with flavour and vitality. Buy by the case. 73 weeks later on 14th January 2022, I had my last bottle of the 2018 and have decided to leave the last bottle of 2019 for some years to see how it develops and put HH’s drinking window to the test. — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Very Hunter with earth, leather and red cherries, presented in a savoury manner. More full bodied on the palate than Hunter Valley Shiraz should be. In the mid 2000’s it was when Mount Pleasant was trying to emulate full bodied South Australian Shiraz instead of doing what they do best. This was most enjoyable but I still enjoy the old fashioned style made by Maurice O’Shea in the late 1940s and early 1950s in primitive conditions which were just medium bodied and very long lived. I once had a 1952 Mt Pleasant Stevens Vineyard made by the legend (birth year wine) which I bought at auction. It was over 40 years old when I consumed it. Barely medium bodied with amazing length and still kicking goals. A wonderful old curio and a privilege to drink. The “Maurice OShea” is the top Cuvée from Mt Pleasant these days. Had my last bottle of 2006 OP and OH on 10th July 2024. Becoming more Hunter Valley and earthy than South Australian as in the last note but still ripe and full bodied. Oak has diminished in influence. 93 points. — 3 years ago

Bryan Hopkins

9.3

The amphora process gives this wine a very unique quality that is difficult to describe: funky, primitive (in a good way), and forceful. Aromas of greens and hot peppers. The taste brings forth that hot pepper with eucalyptus, earth, and blackberry. Remarkable. — 4 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

I view Turley Zinfandel much like Williams Selyem wines when they are young, good not great.

They need ten years plus to show you greatness. There is no faking bottle age properly stored.

I can’t drink their wine young. Too primitive, astringent, all tannin, wood & baking spices.

The nose reveals, ripe, ruby, candied fruits that are; stewed & naked, jammy fruit of; black plum, blackberry, black raspberries, plum, raspberries, mulberries, olallieberries, boysenberries, dark cherries, blue fruit mix, rhubarb & ripe date & some figs. Steeped black tea, creamy violet cola, black licorice to anise, sweet tarriness, tobacco leaf, dark spices, vapors of alcohol, dark spices, limestone minerals, moist, fresh forest floor, some mushroom, black pepper, clove, nutmeg & vanillin, rounded oak, spiced florals of; dark, red, candied florals with withering dark florals set in old violet & lavender.

The palate is full, round, ripe, candied, baked, stewed liqueured, ruby & lush w/ high viscosity. ripe, ruby. Jammy fruit of; black plum, blackberry, black raspberries, plum, raspberries, mulberries, olallieberries, boysenberries, dark cherries, blue fruit mix, rhubarb & black raisins, ripe date & some figs. The tannins, stern, tarry & chewy. Steeped black tea, creamy violet cola, black licorice to anise, dark chocolate/dry mocha powder, caramel, sweet, dark, chewy tarriness, tobacco leaf, dark spices, touch of alcohol burn, dark spices w/ soft heat, limestone minerals, moist, fresh forest floor, dry top soil & clay, some mushroom, black pepper, clove, nutmeg & vanillin, cedar/oak plank, spiced florals of; dark, red, candied florals with withering dark florals set in old violet & lavender. The acidity is like a fresh, clean river. The finish is a little too ripe, sweet but, well balanced with great complexity and persistent length.

I don’t drink a lot of Zinfandel but, this is the style that speaks to my origins. This is good with food or some berry desserts.

This still needed a two plus hour decant & has another 5-7 plus years of pleasure ahead of it. At its current evolution, it is bordering on dessert wine & should be treated as such going forward.

Photos of; Turley tasting room in Paseo, very old, taller & slimmer than normal grape press, 2008 Winemaker- Ehren Jordan and their Cedarman Vineyard on Howell Mtn. — 5 years ago

Ron R

9.1

I like this wine because when you taste it, your are pushed into a foreign pinot sanctum. A world where pinot takes on a different meaning. It’s just very different. It’s a paradox, and maybe primitive, but for my wife and I. It does have utility. Day 2 and it’s still a fruit bomb. Sweet, textured and decadent.
I shud have remarked that I pay less than $30 for it! — 3 years ago

Ann Miranda

9.7

Deep color and full bodied flavors. This is a blend of Cab Sav, primitive and Mourvèdre. Dry finish but full of earthiness, berries and tobacco. Excellent wine! — 3 years ago

Kristin the Wine Girl

9.0

Like wafting through a forest of pine needles, cherries and pinewood campfires. Seductive and primitive. Soft woodsy cherries yet it strikes your mouth with acid. — 5 years ago

Cintia Mabilde

9.8

excellent primitive wine! — 5 years ago