Bedrock, Quivet, Seghesio, Saxum +

Our home
Tasted Saturday, July 26, 2014 by Loren Sonkin with 299 views

Introduction

Last night was a rare weekend night where Jane and I had no plans. I was looking forward to it. I set up on the front patio and opened a bottle of Bedrock and tweeted a photo. My friend dale commented that he was only 10 minutes away. One thing led to another and soon, he, his wife and a third friend were over. Just relaxing, talking and drinking. It started to rain, so we took it inside and continued until midnight. It was a great night. The wines were served, non-blind, sequentially with cheese, fruit and crackers.

Flight 1 (5 Notes)

  • 2013 Bedrock Wine Co. Grenache Gris Gibson Ranch 90 Points

    USA, California, North Coast, McDowell Valley

    When I bought this, I didn't really read the blurb about it other than it was labeled as Grenache Gris. I assumed a gray grape would make a white wine. Later I heard that it was just some weird Grenache vines and not really Gris. Oh well, I figured I would try it. Apparently made in the style of Beaujolais with carbonic maceration. I stuck the bottle in the fridge to get cold for a day or two and we opened it last night. Interesting wine. I like it. Its a ruby in color, bright. The nose has plenty of raspberry fruit. Slight bananas which are more prevalent as it warms. It has a nice silky medium bodied texture. The raspberries carry thru along with a slight milk chocolate scrapings note. There is some depth especially on the midpalate, while the attack and finish are less deep. Little in the way of tannins. Still, I would think this should age out nice for a while. I will try to hold one bottle back and see.

    Post a Comment / 4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 2011 Quivet Cellars Syrah Hulda Block Las Madres Vineyard 94 Points

    USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros

    I bought this a while ago on release to try this winery. Then I started to see pretty high scores and wondered what was up. Last night seemed a great time to try it. Purple in color. On opening there is a very strong plum scent. Also some black raspberries, a bit spice and slight black pepper. As it opened, the plums faded and the black raspberries got stronger with a bit of a liqueur note. On the palate, this has a very nice texture. Delicious fruit. Much riper than I was expecting. The alcohol is not noticeable except in the texture but the fruit is pretty bold. I like that a lot, but given the vineyard and vintage, I guess I expected a cool climate type Syrah. This is not that. Very middle of the road, which is my favorite style. It was my only bottle, but this should age out very nicely over the next 8 to 10 years (or more).

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 2003 Seghesio Family Vineyards Aglianico 92 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley

    I had this once back in 2008. It has really improved since then although still not ready. We sampled it, poured it in the decanter, and ultimately left half for day 2. Purple in color. The nose has blackberries, vanilla, scorched earth. Full bodied. Hugely tannic. Yet, a nice velvety texture before the tannins kick in. Slightly jammy blackberry fruit. Also plums. There is depth but it still needs plenty of time. Very cool wine. Check back in five years.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 2012 SonkinCellars Persona

    USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County

    My second time trying this since bottling. This is surprisingly accessible on pop and pour. Still a baby with, IMO, 5 years to peak. There are tannins, but 2012 is a softer vintage that I think will fool a lot of people in terms of ageing. I think it will age well. Between the 5 of us, this didn't last long. I will need to open a bottle over 3 days sometime between now and its release in October. No question in my mind though, this is the best Persona we have ever made. Obviously, disclaimer, this is our wine and although I try to be honest, I may have some bias. If nothing else, it is certainly made in a style that I like. :-)

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 2007 Saxum Heart Stone Vineyard 96 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

    Pop and pour, these are in a great, if young, place right now. Inky purple in color. The nose has black raspberries, blueberries, black pepper and slight charred wood notes. Full bodied. Light yet powerful. Silky smooth. No sign of heat. Great black raspberry fruit on the palate. Showing some complexity. Another great showing.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

Closing

Great night. Thanks Dale, Joan and Judy. The power of social media.

×
×