Let’s just call this what this one what it is. The 2016 DAY Zinfandel from Ehren Jordan is basically Turley Zinfandel at half the price.
Ehren Jordan, who made Turley’s wines for years and helped define their style, is back in the Zinfandel game! And his 2016 Sonoma County Zin is ridiculously good.
2016 DAY Zinfandel Sonoma County
92 points Jeb Dunnuck
This vintage is sold out. Click here to order the current release in our online store.
Jeb Dunnuck nailed it with his review. “A terrific value, the 2016 Zinfandel Sonoma County offers terrific, classic notes of dried berry fruits, sandalwood, exotic spices, and brambly herbs in a medium-bodied, ultra-fine, elegant package. It’s very much in the style of the 2016 vintage with its focused, clean, classic style, and it’s going to drink beautifully for 7-8 years.” My tasting notes were nearly identical. Yep, it’s as good as it sounds.
I guess Mr. Jordan just couldn’t stay away from Zin for too long. After leaving Turley in 2013, he put all of his energy into Failla, the Chard and Pinot Noir-focused winery he started with his wife in 1998. Failla is still going strong, and I’m a big fan, but I was incredibly excited when I heard he was going to start making Zinfandel again. And man, he’s making some good stuff!
This wine is a blend of vineyards spanning the Russian River Valley, Dry Creek and Alexander Valley. Ehren says, “The 2016 Vintage was extraordinary for a number of reasons. Five years into a drought, vine stress among these old head trained vines was intense. The vintage was early and compact with more even-ripening than is typical for the variety. This provided us with tremendously fresh, healthy and concentrated fruit- leaving us blessed with little to do in the cellar.
As Mr. Dunnuck says, this is a tremendous value and a knockout wine for sure. It takes me back to some of those Turley Zinfandels I enjoyed in the early 2000’s. It drinks wonderfully by itself, but it certainly loves anything off the grill. From steaks and chops to barbecued chicken and ribs, this is your wine.
This vintage is sold out. Click here to order the current release in our online store.
Josh Spurling
Owner, Operator, Wine Monger
Table Wine Asheville