Description
Bedrock Wine Company, Zinfandel Old Vine 2020
Varietal: Zinfandel
Bedrock Wine Co. was started in 2007 by Morgan Twain-Peterson. Working out of a small converted chicken coop in a friend’s backyard, Morgan focused on making personality-filled wines wrought from a small array of thoughtfully farmed vineyards. Over time the chicken coop and its outdoor fermenters and tiny basket press gave way to production at another friend’s winery and eventually to the “elegant” tin-sided warehouse that is now called home. In addition, after six years of working alone the winery welcomed Chris Cottrell as a partner-in-crime along with a small, dedicated staff of highly decent human beings.
The winery is first and foremost a mission-driven operation dedicated to preserving and rehabilitating old vineyards around California. These vineyards, planted by California’s viticultural pioneers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, are living pieces of history. Not only are we able to draw inspiration from those very pioneers, but we get to actually use the materials they planted, which have survived two world wars, Prohibition and a constantly changing marketplace. If something has been growing for over 100 years it not only deserves the respect of us humans, but it probably makes some darn good wine too.
Vinous 92 PTS
The 2019 Zinfandel Old Vine is gorgeous. Bright acids and floral overtones perk up the red berry fruit in a Zinfandel that delivers the goods, and plenty more. Bright and beautifully layered, the 2019 hits all the right notes. Then again, it is a blend of stellar sites, including Bedrock, Nervo, Sodini, Evangelho, Katushas’, Teldeschi, Pagani Ranch and Old Hill. Because of the COVID pandemic and uncertain short-term economic outlook, the 2019 includes quite a bit of wine that in more normal times would be bottled in the vineyard designates.
