Winery of the Year
"Talty - a master of Zinfandel"

February 8, 2012
San Francisco

..."Not only does Michael Talty embody the modern winemaking ethos, but he does it in such a down to earth way, championing one the country’s greatest vinous treasures like few others."...


Gregory Dal Piaz

Talty Vineyards Zinfandel Tasting Notes
"Redefining what Zinfandel can be"

San Francisco

"Talty Vineyards and Winery was just named Snooth’s Winery of the Year for 2011.

These great Zinfandels are made in limited quantities, and while some are long sold out, others are still available from the winery.

If you like Zinfandel, I urge you to give Talty a try. If you don’t like Zinfandel, you really owe it to yourself to try Michael Talty’s wines at least once. They redefine what Zinfandel can be!"


Gregory Dal Piaz

Top Zinfandels Producers

January 2012
San Francisco, CA

Talty

"What is it with guys named Mike and Zinfandel? I’ve only had one year, though several vintages, of Michael Talty’s wines and I can honestly say they are a revelation. The perfumes and finesse these wines show are absolutely Burgundian, or as Burgundian as you’re gonna get with Zinfandel.

If you’re looking for power, there are better options out there. If you want to see and smell Zinfandel like never before, you have to try a Talty Zinfandel and pair it with food. Not just the bronto burgers and bison ribs that Zins naturally partner, these wines work with more elegant food. I’ve had great success pairing them with Italian food in particular!

This is the Opera of Zinfandel."


Gregory Dal Piaz

Read: Weekly Interview: Michael Talty

TERROIRIST - a daily wine blog
April 22, 2011

"Each week, as regular readers know, Terroirist poses 16 questions to a winemaker. This week, we’re featuring Michael Talty, owner and winemaker of Talty Vineyards & Winery in the Dry Creek Valley"


David White

Top Zinfandels from California

January 2011
San Francisco, CA

2008 Talty Napa Valley Zinfandel Filice Connolly Vineyard, 14.7%

"Spicy, fresh evergreen notes greet the nose, followed by pepper, cocoa, toasted marshmallow and gorgeously pure, brambly black raspberry fruit. With air, the wood spice and toast become smokier and a bit more assertive, but never overpower the wonderfully varietal fruit. Rich and powerful but also fresh and transparent, with a nice bed of soft tannins and succulent acidity supporting balanced, complex, spicy, cocoa-tinged black raspberry fruit. The finish is long and turns a bit redder with its assertive acidity. Really beautifully balanced; not a monster but still full-throttled and intensely flavored, if decidedly acid-driven. A Zinfandel for lovers of Italian wines. And I love Italian wines. 93pts"


Gregory Dal Piaz

Great Sonoma Zinfandels at ZAP Festival 2011

January 2011
San Francisco, CA

2007 Talty Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel
William Talty Vineyards 15.0%, $38

"Spicy and briary on the nose, with chocolate and earth topped by crushed blackberry fruit, topped by notes of smoke, toast, pumpkin pie spice and a rather vibrant floral scent. Lovely balance in the mouth, with bright acidity and lovely, round, soft tannins supporting notably fresh blackberry, black raspberry and cherry fruit. This is slightly chewy but very fresh and transparent, with compellingly fresh and vivid fruit flavors. Excellent balance really allows this to float across the palate and onto a bright, very red-fruited, succulent finish with excellent resonance to the fruit that is accented by a subtle licorice tone. 93pts"


Gregory Dal Piaz

The Good Food Hour at KSRO Radio Station

Saturday, December 26, 2009
Santa Rosa, CA

Tom Simoneau's Wines of the Year 2009

Among His Best Reds:

• Zinfandel: Talty Vineyards and Winery 2005 William Talty Estate Vineyard Dry Creek Valley, $36. Talty makes Zin and nothing but Zin. Winemaker Michael Talty loves old vines with their tiny production and he ferments on wild yeast in half ton bins. Rich, big, yet balance - that's Talty.


Congratulations

Tom Simoneau, The Wine Guy

Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine~May 2008

Zinfandel

Talty ~ 90 points

William Talty Vineyards 2005 ~ Dry Creek Valley

7% Petite Sirah; 3% Carignane. There is no getting away from this wine's very evident ripeness, but even with a high level of concentration, its fruit is still very much on the energetic side and the wine scores well as a tasty, full-bodied table wine. Tannin and latter palate acidity give it a firm, almost trim ending, yet here again, the ripeness remains in the picture and directs it to service alongside savory pork roasts rather than red-sauced dishes. Connoisseurs' Guide--May 2008 issue