2001 Turley Zinfandel Pringle Family

2001 Turley Zinfandel Pringle Family - USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain (tasted 3/9/2004)
Probably the most improbable Wine Spectator wine list award winner ever is Ashiana, an Indian restaurant located in a strip mall in the suburbian wilds of western Houston. The chef is from the Hilton in Delhi and her partner is a retired Doctor who loves to collect wine. There are lots of treasures on the list and the markups are fair (2.5 x wholesale). As you might expect, the wine list is extensive; this is how I came to try a 96-point Turley Zin with dinner (@ $90 a real bargain). I've never had a Turley produced wine before, but their reputation precedes them. But, talking about this wine can never do it justice. It was a dark, almost opaque and inky purple-red. The nose leapt out of the glass full of peppery and smoky fruit. But this eye opening event with this wine is when you put it in your mouth. It is thick and tounge-coating almost port-like, but surprisingly, there is enough acidity and fruit to keep it from being cloying. The mid-palate is satisfying and complex. Somehow the 16.2% alcohol isn't really noticeable either on the attack or the mid-palate. The finish is simply delicious with tannins completely integrated. I almost wanted to stand up and applaud giving the wine a standing ovation. (95 pts.)