A couple '09 clunkers from Bedrock

WINE TALK
1
  • 2009 Bedrock Wine Co. Heirloom Wine Dolinsek Ranch - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (1/1/2011)
    Popped 'n poured. Disappointing bottle. Similar to the 2009 RRV Zinfandel – ripe, stewed, and pruney. Comments around the table (from decidedly new world wine drinkers) were “sweet”, “medicinal”, “cloying”, “tastes like fruit juice”. Nose was not giving up much. The palate showed some brambly fruit, but it tasted medicinal with a strange plasticy flavor to me. There was some acidity, but it really lacked structure and there was little in the way of tannins. Overall, just not an enjoyable wine. (82 pts.)
  • 2009 Bedrock Wine Co. Zinfandel - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (12/31/2010)
    Drank over two days. Agree with the others on this wine – it is overripe and pruney. Really a bit medicinal tasting. Acidity is out of whack and the alcohol is noticeable on the nose and palate. It reminded my wife of fruit juice. Not very enjoyable. I think this is the clunker in the Bedrock lineup. (81 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

Overall, I’ve been disappointed with Bedrock wines. I’ve not yet tasted the 09 Heirloom or the 09 Syrah from the last shipment, but these two were just not very good wines. The 08 Heirloom was not that good for me (given the WS score) and the Ode to Lulu Rose was also a bit on the disappointing side. The only wine I’ve really thought was a good value was the 09 Sonoma Old Vine Zin. Maybe my palate does not line up that well with Bedrock, I don’t know. I guess I just don’t understand all of the buzz about this winery. [scratch.gif]

2

Thanks for the notes. I have next to no experience with Bedrock’s red wines but I had a very nice white rhone blend over the holidays courtesy of a friend. He also gifted to me a bottle of Hudson Vyd. syrah that I plan on giving several years rest. I’ll be curious to read other’s impressions.

3

My experience has been mixed. There have been some Bedrocks that were just steller. The Dolinsek and the Sonoma Old Vine for instance, I thought were great. I agree with your tasting notes on the Russian River Zin.

4

I like Bedrock a lot, but have never been crazy about the zins - but I’m not a big zin guy by any stretch. (Though I think it’s really cool that he’s working with old vines and continuing not only a California tradition, but his family’s tradition too )

I’m biggest on the syrahs, and I like various of the whites as well… so do check out the other varieties that Morgan makes as well, if you get a chance.

5

Thanks for the note. I’ll have to give the Zins a try, as I’ve yet to have one. In the meantime, I’ve been quite pleased with the 2008 vintage Syrahs I’ve tried, including the Sonoma County, Kick Ranch, Old Lakeville, and Pleine de Chene. Each of these struck me as well made, approachable now, and a good QPR.

6

I think all of these wines will benefit with some bottle age and have little intention of openings my 08’s and 09’s anytime soon.

Tom

7

I’ve only tasted the basic zin once but I wasn’t impressed at all…and I enjoy big zins. Finish was bitter and clipped. Maybe the bottle wasn’t great. I’ve sure seen a lot of great notes on these.

8

I own but have not opened most of these wines. It just seem waaaaaay to early to be passing judgment on these bottles, no? Also, I am surprised that you didn’t like the Ode to Lulu, one of my surprise favorites of last year!

9

If the issue is with pruney fruit, that’s not ever going to go in the other direction. But I generally agree with the sentiment.

10

I haven’t had the specific wines mentioned, but am a big fan of Bedrock and have not been disappointed by any of his wines yet. Is it possible you had a couple bad bottles or that they’re just not ready for prime time like others have mentioned?

Paging Mike Didline…

11

Jim, I’ve had no Bedrock “clunkers” and I am very impressed with how Morgan is going about his business.

While I’m letting my Bedrock reds rest for the most part, the one’s I’ve had have been unique and outstanding.

12

I like Zin, but I do not drink them anymore because they trigger migraines. However, zins should be ready and great to drink young. Age generally doesn’t help Zins improve, and as such is usually given as a hope and prayer by someone who has a bunch in their cellar. I am not saying you cannot like aged zins (I don’t) but if they don’t drink well now, they are going to be worse in 3 years. My opinion only, and YMMV.

13

any theory on why Zinfandel is a trigger but other reds (I know you enjoy Bordeaux) are not?

14

Many of Bedrock’s best reds are field blends of mixed black varieties, containing Petite, Alicante, Carignane, Mourved, Syrah and other grapes (think Ridge Geyserville). My preference is to let these field blends age.

15

My neurologist says that young reds and older whites are most likely to trigger migraines. My experience certainly confirmed his advice to me. As to why it works that why, I have no idea.

So why Zins? No clue. They’re young for one thing. Other than that, I do not know. But i know that I have felt the migraines with Zin come on literally after the first sip hits my palate and before it makes it to my stomach. It can be that quick.

16

Usually these types of TN’s come from an issue with style preference and palates. Aging is often the excuse but aging doesn’t turn a wine you hate into a wine you love.

17

Just to be sure we’re talking about the same things here - when I hear “zins should be ready and great to drink young” I’m generally thinking within 5 years of the vintage. These 2 wines have been in bottle probably 5-7 weeks which is an entirely different conversation; we may be talking about bottle shock.

Both of these (RRV and Dolinsek) I expect are wines for early drinking. Stewed/pruny notes may not fade, and could be a bad sign. I haven’t had either of these but I went light on the RRV after reading Morgan’s tasting notes. It just didn’t sound like my thing. The Dolinsek I’m quite a bit more excited to try, and this is the first negative note I’ve read on that.

18

The 09 Syrah knocked me off my feet. So much so, that I emailed Morgan and begged (unsuccessfully) for more. Not a zin fan, so cant speak to that.

19

Think it was a TN from Florida Jim on a white wine a few years ago (a SB/semillion blend as I recall) that got me buying Bedrock. Having liked all of the whites I’ve bought, I ordered the reds in their most recent offering especially since I do like zins.

This post alarmed me some but it will be some time before I know if I agree; I rarely open anything without waiting a few years.

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Hey Paul-- I am sorry you had a bad experience with these two wines and I will happily buy the remainder of the bottles back from you if you would like.

The 09 RRV, which was made from younger vines at Dolinsek Ranch, is indeed on the riper side and pushes my own personal limits in terms of alcohol and fruit ripeness. There were only three barrels (no new wood) of it made and I tried to make it clear in the newsletter what style of wine it was (and charged a corresponding lower price). Also, with both of these wines, the pH was so low that ML took forever-- neither actually received any sulfur until just before bottling six weeks ago and that is certainly contributing to a clipped character which I fully expect to resolve with some bottle time.

Like the 09 Sonoma Valley Old-Vine, which I felt I released too early, perhaps this is another case where I should have held onto the wines for a year or so before releasing to ensure infanticide does not occur? Just means there will not be a lot of Bedrock reds coming out anytime soon…

Feel free to drop me an email with questions and concerns, morgan@bedrockwineco.com.