Turley Petite Syrah Library Vineyard 2010

WA97: The 2010 Petite Syrah Library Vineyard emerges from a parcel in downtown St. Helena planted in the late 1800s/early 1900s. As is the case with most of California’s heritage sites, the vineyard consists of a field blend, in this case with at least 26 different known varieties. The Library is one of the most unique wines I have ever tasted in California. Exotic and beguiling, the Library emerges from the glass with seemingly endless layers of high-toned red fruits, anise, orange peel and cinnamon. Powerful, rich, but never heavy, the Library is simply dazzling. Given the extensive Turley lineup, I imagine most readers have a hard time choosing which wines to buy, but for my money, the Library has to be at the top of the list. On a more sober note, I am told the city of St. Helena may be taking this parcel back to use for civic projects. In my view, it would be tragic to see a heritage site as great as this one, disappear. After all, a new school or library can be built in a number of places, but great, iconic wine can only be made in a few special places throughout the world. This is one of them. It is not too far fetched to envision a future in which California’s historic vineyards are classified as UNESCO heritage sites. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2030.