Turnbull Wine Cellars Revisited

Turnbull Wine Cellars makes wines that are fairly good and some that are reasonably priced. We had visited Turnbull Winery 5/21/10 and thought it was due for a return visit so we returned on 1/4/12.  In my last review, I applauded Turnbull for making a Tempranillo wine because it so rarely found at Napa wineries.  It appears that they no longer offer this.  I also commented they had some very reasonably priced wines and noted how friendly the service was. Turnbull still has some very reasonably price wines, starting as little as $18 for their Sauvignon Blanc and $19 for their Old Bull. 

After looking at the items for sale in the winery, I noted a stack of brochures on the table next to some items for sale.  It listed the wines available for the reserve tasting.  I picked up one of these brochures and went to the person serving wine to inquire about the difference between the regular tasting and the reserve.  She asked to see the brochure, wanted to know where I obtained it, told me I wasn’t suppose to have it, and did not return it to me but offered to make a photocopy of it if I wanted a copy.  I nodded and said yes, indicating that I did want a copy, but never received one.  Although the wine host did not do this in a hostile or aggressive way, (it felt more like a schoolteacher correcting a child) this did not start the tasting out on a very positive note.

Our tasting began with the 2010 Viogner that retails for $30.  It had a lovely lemon nose, quite distinct, with lemon and vanilla on the palate and a hint of butter, nicely balanced.  My friend bought a bottle.  This was followed by the 2007 Fortuna Merlot at $55 with a nice nose and some cassis, cherry and oak on the palate.  The 2007 Cabernet Franc at $55 followed.  I got some vanilla on the nose, with soft tannins and some blackberry on the palate. My favorite wine of those sampled was the 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon at $40 which is 80% Cab, 5% Cab Franc, 5% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and, just to distinguish it from any Bordeaux blend, 5% Syrah.  Nice nose, well balanced, with cherry on the palate.  Fairly big, but very drinkable now.  The last of the five tastings was the 2008 Petite Sirah which retails for $40.  This is a decent PS, with nice spice, good fruit and a decent finish.  The Estate Tasting Menu is $10 a person for five samples.  The $10 tasting fee is applied to a purchase of $50.

Turnbull Wine Cellars
8210 St. Helena Hwy

Oakville, CA 94562
(800) 887-6285
Date of return visit: 1/4/2012