Bedrock Wine Co. 2022 Old Vine Zinfandel

Every vintage we get the fun challenge of putting together a wine that we feel really shows off what old vine Zinfandel can achieve in California by focusing on the strengths of the vintage. In the process, we endeavor to make something that is one of the better values in the wine world from truly old vines (average vine age is over 80). In 2022, one of the main challenges was how to balance the deep fruit weight, richness, and ripeness that some lots possessed due to a big heat wave in early September. Fortunately, we were well-equipped for this challenge given the diversity of sources we work with, along with having some other varieties that have traditionally been blended with Zinfandel for this very reason. This year’s rendition is 76% Zinfandel, 11% Carignan, 5% Petite Sirah, 4% Grenache and 3% Cinsault, with the remainder being assorted mixed varieties such as Mourvèdre, Negrette and more.  Though a blend of over a dozen ranches, the majority comes from Teldeschi, Evanghelho, Katushas, Nervo, Sodini, Beeson, Bedrock, Old Hill, and Papera. We are extremely pleased with the resulting wine—one that shows off freshness, wonderful fruit tones, spice, and pepper laden perfume built around a core of flat-out delicious fruit character. This one should be a great crowd-pleaser.