Bedrock 2022 Sonoma Valley Sauvignon Blanc

The 2022 Sauvignon Blanc comes from three sites within Sonoma - Uboldi Vineyard, Judge Vineyard, and Bedrock Vineyard - each of which impart their own characteristics on the wine. The bulk of the wine comes from Uboldi, which offers some tropical fruit and richness while retaining good acidity. Judge Vineyard adds bright aromatics and herbal complexity while Bedrock Vineyard contributes depth and minerality. The wine is fermented in a combination of smaller barrels and 320-liter cigares with some larger puncheons, adding texture and bringing everything together in the most harmonious way. This wine was absolutely singing when we tasted with Chris at the shop recently. It has some melon and tropical fruit with a lush texture that's complemented by racy acidity and a chiseled mineral backbone. This is giving but still brimming with energy and tension, and would be a versatile pairing option with its ability to hold up to richer dishes.

Bedrock 2022 Lodi Katushas' Vineyard Zinfandel

This is just the second vintage from Katushas' Vineyard in Lodi, which was planted in 1915 and has been farmed by Bedrock since they purchased it in 2014. They've come a long way rehabbing the vines and soils, improving the biodiversity and overall health of the vineyard greatly since they started working it. The soils are sandy and it can get hot, but a steady cool afternoon breeze keeps ripening in check and preserves natural acidity and freshness. It is aged in large format barrels with minimal new oak. The result is a vibrant and pure expression of Zinfandel with some darker blueberry and plum fruit, moderate tannins and hints of spice. It's easy to enjoy now but could cellar another five years and still be strong.

Bedrock 2022 Dry Creek Valley Beeson Ranch Zinfandel

Beeson Ranch is a beautiful site situated in a steep amphitheater in Dry Creek Valley, with eastern-facing slopes consisting of silty loam soils with chunks of quartz crystal throughout. Per the winemaker: "in the 2022 vintage, we picked half of the vineyard prior to the onset of the serious heat of the first week of September and the other half after some of the later-ripening sections had been exposed to the warmth. We are quite pleased with the results, as the earlier picked fruit shows the soaring red-fruit and spicy mint aromatics we love from the site while the later picked lots provide a core of sappy fruit."  The balance is quite remarkable, with pretty fruit and incredible lift anchored by monumental structure and a lingering hedonistic side. This will truly start to shine in another 5-10 years but even in its youth with some air it would go nicely alongside steak or heartier fare.

Bedrock 2022 Sonoma Valley The Bedrock Heritage

This is a field blend of 28 varietals planted in 1888 in the heart of Sonoma Valley at Bedrock Vineyard, which has a long history going back to the 1850s. The vines are ancient, growing in clay and basalt soils, and produce densely fruited and complex wines that can age for decades. The blend ends up being around 65% Zinfandel with a good amount of Carignan and Mataro along with some Syrah, Petite Syrah, Tempranillo, Trousseau, Castets, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and so on. Supple dark fruit and spices mingle with hints of vanilla and leather, with firm structure but not overly aggressive tannins. This could easily age another 10+ years, although in its youth still provides immense pleasure with a decant and some good food. A highlight every year, but the 2022 is particularly good early on.

Bedrock 2021 Sonoma Valley Old Vine Zinfandel

This is one of Bedrock's staples, coming from a number of sites they either lease or farm directly. The average vine age is around 80 years, and the grapes are a mix of 85% Zinfandel along with 7% Carignan, 4% Cinsault and small amounts of other field-blended varietals. This is a wine you can enjoy young, with vibrant cherry and blackberry fruit and a lifted character that makes it endlessly enjoyable. There's some spice and dried herbs with subtle but present tannins, and a silky texture perfect for a cool fall night. While open and ready now this will continue to add layers of complexity with a few years in the cellar.

Bedrock 2022 Contra Costa Evangelho Vineyard Heritage Red

Evangelho Vineyard is a special place about 50 miles east of San Francisco in Contra Costa County, where vines planted in 1890 on sandy soils continue to grow on their original roots some 130 years later. The vines are predominantly Zinfandel with Mataro (Mourvedre), Carignan, Alicante, Palomino and some other varietals mixed in. The 2022 was picked earlier due to the warmth of the vintage, and the wine is fermented in large 600-gallon foudre and puncheons. There's no shortage of lush fruit but the acidity and freshness are what really drives this wine, with heady aromatics and succinct tannins. This is ethereal and full of tension in a way that will appeal to those who might not typically gravitate towards Zinfandel, and has the power and structure to age another 10 years or longer while still not feeling overly heavy or tight now. Truly a delight in 2022!

Bedrock 2021 Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon

This is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon from Bedrock and Monticello Vineyards, made with freshness and earlier drinking in mind. There's some ripeness and it's still a full-bodied Cab, but it's not overdone and still possesses great acidity and a good amount of lift. Herbal, spicy, slightly savory, this is a great value for an old-school Cab with depth and structure that could age another 5-10 years but perfectly enjoyable now.