2021 Turtle Rock ‘Plum Orchard’ Red Blend Paso Robles

JD96 The 2021 Plum Orchard checks in as 74% Grenache and 26% Mataro that spent 22 months in 50% new French oak. It has a medium ruby, semi-opaque hue to go with gorgeous notes of red and black berry fruits, spring flowers, freshly ground pepper, and baking spices. It’s incredibly well-balanced, medium to full-bodied, has polished tannins, and a great finish. Its mix of elegance and richness is impressive. It should have 10-15 years of prime drinking.
WA95 The 2021 Plum Orchard is composed of 74% Grenache and 26% Mataro grown on decomposed sandstone. It was vinified with stems and matured for 22 months in 50% new French oak. “We do more stem inclusion versus whole cluster,” proprietor and winemaker Don Burns explains. “I destem everything, look for rot, see inside the clusters and hand pick my stems. Then I layer stems, whole berries, stems, whole berries.” The nose is bursting with pure raspberry, pomegranate and blood orange perfume, plus nuances of charcuterie, autumn leaves and Angostura bitters. The medium-bodied palate is weightless, yet it’s packed with complex layers of berry, spice and earth. It is reminiscent, to me, of the style of Château Rayas. It has a lacy frame of tannins, a focused spine of acidity and an elegant, layered finish. 273 cases were made.