Winemaker Notes
The 2023 Ode to Lulu Rosé is composed of Mourvèdre, Syrah and Grenache sourced predominately from centenarian vineyards in Contra Costa and Sonoma County. Picked at lower potential alcohol and whole-cluster pressed, the goal here is to highlight the beautiful aromatics and freshness one can achieve while also feeling the natural weight of old vine Mourvèdre. What Bedrock has always loved best about the great rosés of the world based around Mourvèdre (Bandol being the most famous area for it) is how they capture the piquant pink grapefruit and stone fruit fragrance of the variety while also letting the savory tarragon and wild herb pungency shine through. If the red wines from the variety tend towards earthiness and a downright terrestrial character, the best rosés have lip-smacking deliciousness and are sometimes terrifying easy to drink though also capable of developing complexity in the glass. They are very pleased with the 2023 and feel it to be a worthy iteration of what has happily become one of the more highly regarded rosés made in the Golden State.
Blend: 76% Mourvèdre, 16% Syrah, 8% Grenache
Professional Ratings
-
Jeb Dunnuck
From a very cool and late vintage, the 2023 Ode To Lulu Rose is a medium salmon tinge and is based on old-vine Mourvèdre, along with Grenache and Syrah from the Bedrock Vineyard. It’s expressive, with aromas of peach, orange peel, savory fresh herbs, and a light salty note throughout the palate. Medium-bodied, it's more savory in this vintage, although it remains refreshing, with a silky texture. It’s versatile and would be a great rosé to carry over into the fall.
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!
Whether it’s playful and fun or savory and serious, most rosé today is not your grandmother’s White Zinfandel, though that category remains strong. Pink wine has recently become quite trendy, and this time around it’s commonly quite dry. Since the pigment in red wines comes from keeping fermenting juice in contact with the grape skins for an extended period, it follows that a pink wine can be made using just a brief period of skin contact—usually just a couple of days. The resulting color depends on grape variety and winemaking style, ranging from pale salmon to deep magenta.
Responsible for the vast majority of American wine production, if California were a country, it would be the world’s fourth largest wine-producing nation. The state’s diverse terrain and microclimates allow for an incredible range of red wine styles, and unlike tradition-bound Europe, experimentation is more than welcome here. California wineries range from tiny, family-owned boutiques to massive corporations, and price and production are equally varied. Plenty of inexpensive bulk wine is made in the Central Valley area, while Napa Valley is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious and expensive “cult” wines.
Each American Viticultural Area (AVA) and sub-AVA of has its own distinct personality, allowing California to produce red wine of every fashion: from bone dry to unctuously sweet, still to sparkling, light and fresh to rich and full-bodied. In the Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc dominate vineyard acreage. Sonoma County is best known for Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rosé and Zinfandel. The Central Coast has carved out a niche with Rhône Blends based on Grenache and Syrah, while Mendocino has found success with cool climate varieties such as Pinot noir, Riesling and Gewürztraminer. With all the diversity that California wine has to offer, any wine lover will find something to get excited about here.