Winemaker Notes
Like almost everything in the fantastic 2023 vintage, the fruit for this wine was harvested nearly a month later than normal. From vines planted in the 1890s, own-rooted on banks of deep sand a mere mile from the Sacramento River delta, this vineyard has exploded from relative obscurity a decade ago and is now being appreciated for the world-class site it is. The extended hangtime, combined with the natural intensity of the wind-blown, sand dune terroir has made for a dense, vibrant, and classic Evangelho Heritage Wine. Composed of separate, field-blended sections from this iconic vineyard, the final wine is about 78% Zinfandel and 16% Mourvèdre with the balance being Carignan and small amounts of Alicante Bouschet, Grand Noir, Palomino, and even the fruits of a single, huge Clairette Blanche vine. This is as deeply colored an Evangelho as Bedrock can remember making, and this, combined with the natural freshness and perfume from a long growing season, shows off the exuberant black raspberry, curry spice, and salted plum so typical of the site. A truly great Evangelho.
Blend: 78% Zinfandel, 16% Mourvèdre, 6% Carignan & Alicante Bouschet
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
The 2023 Evangelho Heritage Wine is fabulous. Intensely floral and lifted, the 2023 is so finessed. Bright red berry fruit, blood orange, mint, spice and lavender all grace the palate. It's another wine in this vintage that is especially vibrant and red-toned. The late harvest, a month later than usual, brought out the best from these own-rooted vines planted in the 1890s. This opens beautifully on the mid-palate and through to the finish.
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James Suckling
A smooth, broad and berry-soaked wine that is mouth-filling, ripe and rich yet balanced. it combines gorgeous ripe blackberries, black cherries, orange zest and hints of sage and black pepper. Full-bodied and moderately tannic for a bit of grip in the texture. A blend of mostly zinfandel, mourvedre, carignane and several others from an own-rooted vineyard now owned by Bedrock that was planted in the 1890s.
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Wine Spectator
Robust yet retains a sense of style and polish, with lilting raspberry and cherry flavors laced with sweet anise, savory pepper and dusky spices as this gathers tension toward fine-grained tannins. Zinfandel, Mourvèdre, Alicante Bouschet, Grand Noir, Palomino and Clairette Blanche.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2023 Evangelho Vineyard Heritage comes from vines planted in the 1890s in sandy soils, which Bedrock now owns and farms. It’s composed of about 78% Zinfandel, 16% Mourvèdre and smaller portions of Grand Noir, Alicante Bouschet and Palomino. Matured in foudres and large demi-muids, it has pure, soaring aromas of Italian plum, cracked pepper, salumi and violet. The light-bodied palate is supple, fresh and inviting with transparent flavors and a long, bright finish.
The winery’s objectives are:
To channel the fruit of ancient vines into powerful, elegant, and distinctly Californian wines.
To spread the gospel of Syrah in California by sourcing fruit from great terroirs throughout the North Coast.
To proclaim the greatness of Sonoma Valley Cabernet Sauvignon by sparing no expense on wines of uniqueness and personality.
To reclaim rose’ from the excesses of saignee and focus on precision, delicacy, aromatics, and food friendliness.
To make fascinating and quixotic white wines from unique sites and interesting varietals.
To dream big but keep production low!
Unapologetically bold, spice-driven and jammy, Zinfandel has secured its title as the darling of California vintners by adapting well to the state's diverse microclimates and landscapes. Born in Croatia, it later made its way to southern Italy where it was named Primitivo. Fortunately, the imperial nursery of Vienna catalogued specimens of the vine, and it later made its way to New England in 1829. Parading the true American spirit, Zinfandel found a new home in California during the Gold Rush of 1849. Somm Secret—California's ancient vines of Zinfandel are those that survived the neglect of Prohibition; today these vines produce the most concentrated, ethereal and complex examples.
A large Northern California appellation centered on the San Francisco Bay Area, the San Francisco Bay AVA falls within the larger Central Coast AVA. The smaller appellations of Livermore Valley, Pacheco Pass, San Ysidro District and Santa Clara Valley AVAs fall within the San Francisco Bay boundaries, and all produce high-quality Central Coast wines.