TN: Some Bedrock & Carlisle Reds....(long/boring)

WINE TALK
1

We tried last week (2/20/19) Some Bedrock/Carlisle Reds:

  1. Bedrock EvangelhoVnyd Heritage/CCCnty RW (14.1%; Plntd: 1890’s; Tended by Evangelho family since 1936;
    60% Zin/35% Mataro + Carignane/Palomino + others) 2016    : Med.dark color; strong plummy/Mourv classic
    CC/earthy/mushroomy/slight milk of magnesia fairly perfumed nose; lightly tart/tangy/rather metallic
    strong CC/Mourv/plummy slightly chocolaty some dusty/OV flavor w/ light tangy tannins; very long slight
    dusty/OV strong plummy/CC/Mourv/earthy/mushroomy finish w/ light tangy tannins; a classic CC/Mourv
    w/ a strange metallic tanginess. $30.65
  1. Bedrock EvangelhoVnyd Heritage/ContraCostaCnty RW (14.1%; Plntd: 1890’s; Dry farmed; Tended by Evangelho
    family since 1936) 2017    : Med.dark color; lighter fairly plummy/CC Mourv mushroomy/earthy bit blackberry/
    Zin/earthy nose; bit softer slight tangy/metallic rather CC/plummy/Mourv/blackberry bit earthy/dusty/OV
    flavor w/ light smooth tannins; very long slight dusty/OV strong CC/plummy/Mourv/blackberry finish w/
    light smooth tannins; speaks a bit more of Zin and less of CC/Mourv; an attractive CC red. $30.00
  1. Bedrock Lorenzo’s Heritage DryCreekVlly/SonomaCnty RW (14.9%; 70-100 yr old vines; Drk:
    2015-2025: MTP) 2012    : Dark color; strong raspberry/blackberry/classic DCV Zin/quite spicy very light
    toasty/oak rather fragrant bit complex nose; lightly tart/tangy spicy/DCV Zin/raspberry/blackberry light
    toasty/pencilly/oak some dusty/OV bit complex flavor w/ light tangy/bit drying tannins; very long/lingering
    strong raspberry/blackberry/classic DCVZin bit dusty/OV some complex finish w/ light gentle bit drying
    tannins; a very classic DCV Zin w/ good complexity but starting to show a bit of age. $36.00
  1. Bedrock Lorenzo’s Heritage TeldeschiVnyd/DryCreekVlly/SonomaCnty RW (14.6%; Plntd: 1900-1955; Aged:
    18 mo. in Fr.oak brls) 2013    : Med.dark color; lighter bit deeper very light toasty/pencilly/oak strong
    classic DCVZin/raspberry/blackberry slight dusty/OV bit complex nose; fairly tart/tangy strong raspberry/
    blackberry/classic DCVZin very light toasty/pencilly/oak flavor w/ light smooth tannins; much like the '12
    in character but a bit more depth of fruit and not showing any signs of age; lovely classic DCVZin probably
    near its peak. $39.00
  1. Bedrock Lorenzo’s Heritage DryCreekVlly/SonomaCnty RW (14.6%; Plntd: 1900-1955; John&Caterina Teldeschi;
    Frmtd: inidgenous yeasts; 18 mo. in Fr.oak) 2014    : Very dark color; stronger/more intense/deeper blackberry/
    raspberry/classic DCV Zin bit stronger toasty/oak light dusty/OV quite spicy bit complex nose; more tart/
    tangy some dusty/OV light pencilly/toasty/oak strong blackberry/raspberry/classic DCVZin bit more depth
    bit complex flavor w/ light ripe tannins; very long/lingering very strong blackberry/raspberry/very spicy
    Zin/classic DCV Zin finish w/ modest ripe tannins; another lovely classic DCV Zin w/ lots of spiciness.
    $30.50
  1. Bedrock Lorenzo’s Heritage TeldeschiRanch/DryCreekVlly/SonomaCnty RW (14.6%; Plntd: 1900-1955; Tended
    by John & Caterina Teldeschi; 18 mo. in Fr.oak; Zin + Carignan/PetiteSirah/Cinsault/Peloursin/Vaccarese)
    2015    : Dark color; bit more earthy/dusty/OV strong blackberry/Zin/raspberry very light toasty/oak bit
    licorice/pungent quite perfumed nose; bit softer richer/lusher strong blackberry/Zin/spicy/raspberry
    some toasty/oak some earthy/dusty/OV slight pungent/licorice/ripe flavor w/ modest smooth/ripe tannins;
    very long/lingering fairly dusty/OV strong blackberry/raspberry/quite spicy/Zin modest toasty/oak finish
    w/ modest ripe/smooth tannins; more richness & lushness than the previous Lorenzo’s; a lovely classic
    DCV Zin. $39.00
  1. Bedrock Lorenzo’s Heritage DryCreekVlly/SonomaCnty RW (Plntd: 1900-1955; Tended: John & Caterina Teldeschi;
    14.6%; Zin/PS/Carignan + Cinsault/Peloursin/Vaccarese) 2016    : Very dark color; very musty/TCA/horibly corked
    no fruit nose; very slight blackberry horribly corked/TCA/musty flavor; pretty much destroyed by the TCA.
    $39.00

8a. Carlisle TwoAcres RRV/SonomaCnty (15.0%; 150 cs) 2001: Very dark color w/ slight bricking; bit tired/dried
out some overripe/alcoholic/slight prunish bit smokey/pungent slight musty bit complex nose; lightly tart
some dried-out/tired smokey/pungent bit oldZin flavor w/ light drying tannins; long somewhat tired/dried-out
finish w/ light drying tannins; still some interesting things therein but not much fruit left and a bit on
the tired side.

  1. Carlisle TwoAcres RRV RW (12.8%; Planted in 1910; Mourv/Syrah; 210 cs; U/U) 2011: Dark color; very strong
    blackberry/boysenberry/spicy/plummy some dusty/OV quite spicy fairly complex nose; lightly tart some
    blackberry/boysenberry/plummy/spicy light toasty/oak some complex ripe flavor w/ light gentle bit drying
    tannins; very long lightly tart fairly rich strong blackberry/boysenberry/plummy/slight RCCola/spicy fairly
    complex light toasty/oak finish w/ light bit drying tannins; showing some maturity but not drying out or
    overmature yet; a lovely complex RRV red. $42.50
  1. Carlisle TwoAcres RRV/SonomaCnty (14.8%; Plntd in 1910; Mourv/PS/Syrah/Carignane/AlicanteBouschet/
    Peloursin; 250 cs) 2012    : Very dark color; very fragrant plummy/blackberry/boysenberry/very spicy rather
    dusty/OV slight herbal/RCCola complex nose; bit soft rather rich/lush strong plummy/blackberry/boysenberry/
    spicy rather dusty/OV fairly complex flavor w/ modest smooth tannins; very long/lingering ripe/boysenberry/
    plummy/blackberry light toasty/oak bit soft/rich/lush some complex finish w/ modest ripe/smooth tannins;
    bit softer than the others and shows a bit more Mourv character. $43.50
  1. Carlisle TwoAcres RRV/SonomaCnty RW (15.0%; Plntd: 1910; Mourvedre/PetiteSirah/Syrah/Peloursin/Carignane/
    AlicanteBouschet; 305 cs) 2013    : Dark color; very strong plummy/blackberry/boysenberry/classic RRV dark
    fruits some dusty/OV slight alcoholic bit ripe/RCCola/licorice fairly complex nose; bit soft slightly
    tangy very strong plummy/Mourv/blackberry/boysenberry quite dusty/OV light toasty/oak bit alcoholic/licorice
    fairly complex flavor w/ light gentle tannins; very long/lingering ripe/blackberry/boysenberry/plummy/black
    fruits some dusty/OV light toasty/oak fairly complex finish w/ some smooth/ripe tannins; loads of RRV
    dark fruits & rather complex. $43.15
  1. Carlisle TwoAcres RRV/SonomaCnty RW (14.9%; Plntd: 1910; Mourv/PS/Syrah/Peloursin/Carignane/
    AlicanteBouschet; 305 cs) 2014    : Very dark color; very strong ripe/blackberry/boysenberry/plummy/dark fruits/bit
    licorice some dusty/OV modest toasty/oak slight earthy/herbal fairly complex nose; bit tart rather rich/lush/ripe
    strong boysenberry/blackberry/plummy/licorice fairly dusty/OV light toasty/oak complex flavor w/ light smooth/ripe
    tannins; very long/lingering strong dark fruits/boysenberry/blackberry fairly complex finish w/ light tannins;
    fairly drinkable but should benefit from more age. $43.65
  1. Carlisle TwoAcres RRV/SonomaCnty RW (14.9%; Plntd: 1910; Mourv/PS/Syrah/Peloursin/Carignane/
    AlicanteBouschet; 195 cs) 2016    : Very dark/near black color; deep intense plummy/blackberry/boysenberry/quite
    spicy slight licorice/pungent fairly rich/lush/ripe rather dusty/OV light toasty/oak complex quite fragrant nose;
    lightly tart/tangy intense blackberry/boysenberry/plummy slight pungent/licorice light toasty/oak fairly dusty/OV
    flavor w/ modest grippy tannins; very long/lingering very strong dark fruits/blackberry/boysenberry/plummy/
    very spicy rather dusty/OV light toasty/oak finish w/ modest hard tannins; quite structured but very well balanced;
    needs 2-5 yrs of age yet; my favorite of the Twackers because of the greater intensity; beautiful classic
    Twackers. $38.50
  1. Carlisle Zin Piner-Olivet Ranches/RRV/SonomaCnty (15.0%; 560 cs; Carlisle/Papera/Montafi vnyds;
    Drk: 2019-2028) 2016    : Dark color; very strong RRV/blackberry/boysenberry bit herbal/lavender some dusty/
    OV quite fragrant lovely nose; lightly tart rather floral/lavender strong RRV/Zin/blackberry/quite spicy
    rather dusty/OV flavor w/ light tangy tannins; very long light herbal/lavender very strong RRV Zin/spicy/
    blackberry/boysenberry/ripe some dusty/OV/bit earthy finish w/ light tangy tanins; a lovely expression of
    RRV Zin and a nice addition to the Carlisle lineup. $34.00

More barfsnottle from TheBloodyPulpit:

  1. Lorenzo’s: This is the Zin from the OV vnyd of JohnTeldeschi. This vnyd was prought to fame in the late
    '60’s when JoeSwan started making some legendary Zins from the Teldeschi vnyd. Joe was a notorious pinch-penny
    and was unwilling to pay top $'s for the grapes. So someone came along and offered Teldeschi more $$'s and
    Joe lost his Zin source, pledging to never again vnyd-designat his Zin. When FrankTeldeschi died, the
    property was split between his sons, Frank & John. It’s all sorta confusing. MikeOfficer takes his
    Teldeschi grapes from RayTeldeschi, which I assume is different from JohnTeldeschi’s vnyd. Someday maybe
    I’ll get it all straightened out who’s who. JoelPeterson also makes a Once&Future Teldeschi Zin which I
    assume comes from John. Not sure who else takes from either of the Teldeschis.
    Of these 4 Lorenzo’s, they were remarkably consistent in style & character, with only the '12 showing
    any of an aged character. Probably my slight preference was the '15 because of its greater intensity of
    fruit. But they were all lovely examples of DCV Zin in the Bedrock style.
  1. Twackers: This was the original vnyd for home-winemaker MikeOfficer. He noticed this old vnyd that wasn’t
    getting much care and approached the owner about rescuing the vnyd in exchange for making wine out of the
    crop. This was in 1996 when Mike was still writing software. The vnyd is mostly Mourv and PetiteSirah. Also
    has a little Zin and a few vines of a white called Helena, a white cross of Zin and MondeuseNoir. My
    understand that it is all a co-ferment. The wine always shows classic dusty/OV character, but more classic
    RRV dark fruits than his Zins, more bass notes than the Zins, maybe a bit more rustic than his other reds.
    Sometimes the Mourv shows thru bright & clear, othertimes not. He notes it was planted in 1910 but doesn’t
    have a whole lot of history on the vnyd on his WebSite. I’d like to know more of its history.
    This set of Twackers were remarkably consistent in style & character, with only the '01 being a bit shakey.
    Probably the '16 was my favorite because of its more youthful character, but all the rest were wonderful OV
    RRV dark-fruited reds.
    Tom
2

Thanks for the notes on the Two Acres. I have them back to the '07 vintage and typically enjoy them with age. We did a mini vertical back in August and the '99 from magnum was the WOTN for just about everyone.

3

Very interesting to read the comparison of these wines across multiple vintages.

Evangelho is the one Bedrock wine I have not been crazy about, year in and year out, and your descriptor of “strange metallic tanginess” nails what it is that I don’t like.

I am a big fan of Two Acres, and tend to hold these - for my taste, these are excellent with age (7+ years) and as good a QPR as I have found.

4

Just now seeing this. Thanks for the tasting notes, Tom!!

5

I picked up a Bedrock Lorenzo’s Heritage recently as well as talked briefly to Joel Peterson and Mike Officer about the Teldeschis. Here’s what I believe to be the Teldeschi story:

Michele Teldeschi (1852-1934) was the original Italian immigrant in the early 1900s. Michele worked as a vineyard manager for Sargenti Brothers in Dry Creek Valley. Michele’s son Lorenzo (1882-1938) immigrated a few years later and worked as a cook and eventually the two managed to start a small winery on Lytton Station Road, selling the product to Petri, a big bulk-wine purveyor.

In 1929 Lorenzo was able to send for his wife Eugenia and sons Franco (1919-1985) and Michele (1915-2009). Frank and Mike, as they came to be called, attended school in Healdsburg, but when Lorenzo and his father Michele died in the 1930s, the boys had to drop out to care for the vineyards. These dates came from https://www.familysearch.org/en/

TeldeschiFamilyTree.png
TeldeschiFamilyTree.png1002×505 54.8 KB

Mike married a local DCV girl, Lucille Del Carlo in 1941 and they had a son named Ray. Ray and his wife Lori and their son Marc started the Del Carlo winery in 2005. Mike Officer gets his Teldeschi fruit from Ray Teldeschi. They probably chose the Del Carlo name to distinguish themselves from their Teldeschi cousins.

Frank returned to Italy and married a Tuscan girl, Catarina Iacomini around 1952. They had a daughter Nancy (b. 1954) and 2 sons, Dan (b. 1955) and John (b. 1963). Joel and Morgan get their Teldeschi fruit from John. Dan Teldeschi is the one who runs the “F. Teldeschi” winery next to the Dry Creek general store.

In the late 1950s Frank and Mike had a disagreement and split up the Teldeschi vineyards with Frank taking the northern-most vineyards.

Ray’s web site mentions Joe Swan buying grapes from from Ray’s father Mike in the late 1960s: http://delcarlowinery.com/vineyards/.
Dan’s web site: http://teldeschi.com/Our-History uses most of the same text that’s on Morgan’s website: Grower Profiles - Bedrock Wine Co.

6

Thanks for clarifying all that history, Clyde. It’s always been confusing to me who’s who.
Tom

7

Mike was pouring the Carlisle 2017 DCV at the Apr 4 pickup. It was terrific, but so was the Once & Future 2017 Teldeschi at yesterday’s pickup.