98
A blend of 52% Syrah, 27% Graciano, 13% Mataro, and 8% Grenache aged 22 months in 75% new French oak, the 2023 Claude's Cuvée reveals darker berries, bloody blue fruits, ground pepper, rare meat, graphite, and lavender nuances. It's full-bodied and has a powerful, concentrated mouthfeel, remarkable purity, a big, layered mid-palate, and fine tannins. It's a stunning effort. Drink 2026-2041.
I’ve been raving about Don and Claudia Burns’ Turtle Rock wines for years now, and this latest set of 2023s only reinforces my view that they’re making some of the most exciting wines in Paso Robles today. Don works with a number of top sites, including G2 and James Berry, and the lineup remains largely Rhône-focused, with Grenache and Syrah playing starring roles. These are rich, powerful wines, but they also have the purity, balance, and finesse to tick all the boxes I look for in truly great wines. The 2023 G2 Syrah is particularly extraordinary and stands toe to toe with the finest Syrahs being made anywhere in the world, while the James Berry-based Maturin isn’t far behind. This is a brilliant lineup across the board.