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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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Incredibly floral nose. Lighter medium body. Baking spices, plum, orange oil, white pepper and mineral. Unique flavor profile in the Bedrock Zin line up. Drink or hold. Served as a pop and pour.
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Still quite young, could use additional time, but drinking well now. Decanted for 30 minutes, but the wine was still tight on the first night. 2 nights later it had opened nicely to reveal black currants, dark berries, plums, and medium tannins.
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Raspberry jam, dried blackcurrant, ruby red grapefruit, blood orange, fresh herbs, a little baking spice and dried flowers... this is bright, bold and exotic on the nose, lots going on. Warm and spicy on the palate, open knit and velvety, full and rich, with super fine tannins and a delicate acid line. Long spicy finish, a tapestry of sweet fruit, herbs and spice flavors lingers long. Love this. Zinfandel doesn't get much better for me.
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Decanted an hour before service. Another great bottle. A bit lighter body than the last, with citrus notes I didn’t pick up before, but still floral and absolutely delicious.
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Oh my god! Light and sprightly, lots of lingon berries (I am a Swede after all) and violets on nose and palate. Never quite gotten these kind of fruit notes before, I have to be honest. I'm searching for the perfect descriptor of it, but somehow I can't formulate what it reminds me of, just that it's totally unique. Light tannins, juicy and delightful all the way - a summer Zin, but also wouldn't be amiss with a piece of steak. Blind I would have said Pinot Noir, for sure. In fact, the first thing that came to mind, is that it reminded me of Kelly Fox's Mirabal. This could be my favorite Zin ever - just a joy through and through.
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I love every facet of this young Amador Zin. The nose soars with bing cherry, violets, and terragon. Pure cranberry and blackberry fruit with black pepper and ripe tannins that stain the palate and carry the finish. This is reminiscent of Gamay, Nebbiolo, and mountain Zin. I drink a lot of Bedrock and this is a stand-out.
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3/8/2024 - grog wrote: 91 Points
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.
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11/18/2023 - ohne_musik wrote: 93 Points
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.
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7/25/2023 - VAGenius Likes this wine: 92 Points
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.
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5/23/2023 - tomlee wrote: 93 Points
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.
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3/25/2023 - tcufletch Likes this wine:
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.
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3/24/2023 - CavWine wrote: 92 Points
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.
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5/22/2022 - KC Wine Enthusiast Likes this wine: 92 Points
14.5% ABV Lighter in color than most Zins. Nice floral aromatics, cassis. From Amador Co.
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4/17/2022 - Nutty08 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Wonderfully light and aromatic Zin. Red fruited, love the floral aromatics. Fine acidity and mild tannin. Great food wine.
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3/26/2022 - zscheiner wrote:
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.
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2/4/2022 - kkleg Likes this wine: 92 Points
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.
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1/3/2022 - Mootsie Likes this wine: 94 Points
Incredibly floral nose. Lighter medium body. Baking spices, plum, orange oil, white pepper and mineral. Unique flavor profile in the Bedrock Zin line up. Drink or hold. Served as a pop and pour.
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11/25/2021 - zscheiner wrote:
Still wide open for business and so good at the Thanksgiving table. The floral, citrus perfume if this wine is amazing.
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8/13/2021 - yasha Likes this wine: 94 Points
Soo good!
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5/31/2021 - mark.gularte@gmail.com Likes this wine: 91 Points
Still quite young, could use additional time, but drinking well now. Decanted for 30 minutes, but the wine was still tight on the first night. 2 nights later it had opened nicely to reveal black currants, dark berries, plums, and medium tannins.
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5/25/2021 - viniferatu Likes this wine:
Raspberry jam, dried blackcurrant, ruby red grapefruit, blood orange, fresh herbs, a little baking spice and dried flowers... this is bright, bold and exotic on the nose, lots going on. Warm and spicy on the palate, open knit and velvety, full and rich, with super fine tannins and a delicate acid line. Long spicy finish, a tapestry of sweet fruit, herbs and spice flavors lingers long. Love this. Zinfandel doesn't get much better for me.
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4/18/2021 - zscheiner Likes this wine:
Decanted an hour before service. Another great bottle. A bit lighter body than the last, with citrus notes I didn’t pick up before, but still floral and absolutely delicious.
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1/16/2021 - S-F wrote: 94 Points
Oh my god! Light and sprightly, lots of lingon berries (I am a Swede after all) and violets on nose and palate. Never quite gotten these kind of fruit notes before, I have to be honest. I'm searching for the perfect descriptor of it, but somehow I can't formulate what it reminds me of, just that it's totally unique. Light tannins, juicy and delightful all the way - a summer Zin, but also wouldn't be amiss with a piece of steak. Blind I would have said Pinot Noir, for sure. In fact, the first thing that came to mind, is that it reminded me of Kelly Fox's Mirabal. This could be my favorite Zin ever - just a joy through and through.
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11/27/2020 - zscheiner Likes this wine: 94 Points
I love every facet of this young Amador Zin. The nose soars with bing cherry, violets, and terragon. Pure cranberry and blackberry fruit with black pepper and ripe tannins that stain the palate and carry the finish. This is reminiscent of Gamay, Nebbiolo, and mountain Zin. I drink a lot of Bedrock and this is a stand-out.
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10/16/2020 - yasha Likes this wine: 90 Points
way to early to open.
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