March 8, 2024 - Day 1: I always love the nose on Esola, it’s all florals and bright fruit with a little citrus. The palate on this vintage doesn’t really do it for me - it has some raisiny/pruney elements that I can’t get past. I’m not sure if this is a vintage issue or perhaps I just prefer these on the younger side and should be drinking them earlier.
Day 2: ok, now we’re talking. This just needed overnight and then some to unfurl and open up. The raisin/pruney thing is gone and this is the wonderful citrusy Esola I’ve grown to love. Really firing on all cylinders and there is a ton of raspberry and blood orange fruit here. Amazing light color too, nearly Nebbiolo like in appearance. Scored upgraded.
November 18, 2023 - The featherweight wine of the Bedrock line-up, in the best possible way. This is Burgundian in weight and texture, or perhaps almost like a Tertre Roteboeuf of zin, with its combination of finesse, bright red cherry fruit and degraded black fruit, that is like an apple-blackberry fruit leather. Juicy acid, plenty of rocky mineral tension, a bit of heat, and a long floral finish. The structure in well-hidden, but present. I’m very curious what this will drink like in 10 years, but it’s pretty great right now.
On day 2, the brightness of the cherry has attenuated, replaced by a complex cherry skin/pit and green almond combo that is very appealing and brings to mind Morgon in Beaujolais. The only detractor on this wine is the overt heat that just can’t quite hide.
July 25, 2023 - Nose of sour hard candy, watermelon, cocoa, and mulchy leaves. Palate shows blackberry, dark chocolate, hints of Vietnamese coffee, and acidity wrapped around black raspberry fruit. Dark cherry fruit hits a bass note on the finish, with slippery tannins sliding across wet stones and red frui and some light sour notes. Unusual flavors here.
May 23, 2023 - Ruby red in color. 14.5% ABV. Super nose of red fruits, citrus and baking spices. Medium body with mouth watering acidity. Light, fresh and crisp. Cherry, cranberry, blood orange and pepper on the palate. Tremendous length on the finish. Really appealing Zinfandel that is ready to go right now. It would be great to see more Amador Zins from Bedrock. Best over the next several years.
March 25, 2023 - Like others have said already after drinking this wine, Esola has become one of my favorites from Bedrock.
Also, as others have noted, the nose on this is sensational, heavily perfumed dominated by lavendar and jasmine; on the palate, bright, ripe strawberry, raspberry, tart cranberry and orange zest; crunchy mineral finish; vibrant acid that hits the sides of your mouth on the way down; lighter than most Bedrock Zins; not the most structured but really well done and a really good one to drink young.
Bedrock and Sandlands have figured out how to make these Amador County grown grapes really shine.
March 24, 2023 - We opened this when our Rivers-Marie Sonoma Coast was almost gone, did a blind taste test and both preferred the Bedrock (although no disrespect to RM, that was elegant.) This wine just had so much fruit, especially cranberry flavor. Will be buying more.
May 22, 2022 - 14.5% ABV Lighter in color than most Zins. Nice floral aromatics, cassis. From Amador Co.
April 17, 2022 - Wonderfully light and aromatic Zin. Red fruited, love the floral aromatics. Fine acidity and mild tannin. Great food wine.
March 26, 2022 - 7th and last bottle of this, although my local store has a few more so probably not my last ever. Among my top 5 Bedrock wines and we’ve been drinking since the ‘09 vintage. Love the floral, berry perfume, and the bright red fruit profile. Love this site and what Bedrock does with it.
February 4, 2022 - Light berry color. Bright strawberry fruit, with notes of iron and a touch of bramble and tarragon on the nose. Good fruit on the palate, with notes of tarragon, violets, and mint and a medium length, subtle finish. A lighter, elegant Zin to drink now.