Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
From the Sonoma Valley, the 2014 Zinfandel Bedrock Vineyard (15.8% alcohol) emerges from a terroir owned and farmed by Morgan Twain-Peterson, whose Bedrock wines have established an impressive reputation on their own. This is Larry Turley’s take on this well-known vineyard (planted in 1888), and the wine is a classic Zinfandel fruit bomb with a stunningly dark ruby/purple color, gorgeously pure blackberry and black cherry fruit, incense and floral notes. The wine is full-bodied, unctuously textured, opulent, and a stunning example of how compelling Zinfandel can be from old vines and special terroirs. This tour de force should continue to drink well for at least a decade.
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Wine Spectator
Dark and deeply structured, with a vibrant backbone of acidity and tannins. Aromas of wild berry, spice cake and licorice combine with deep flavors of smoky plum, cracked black pepper and dried sage. Best from 2018 through 2026.
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.
Perhaps the most historically significant appellation in Sonoma County, the Sonoma Valley is home to both Buena Vista winery, California's oldest commercial winery, and Gundlach Bundschu winery, California's oldest family-run winery.
It is also one of the more geologically and climactically diverse districts. The valley includes and overlaps four distinct Sonoma County sub-appellations, including Carneros, Moon Mountain District, Sonoma Mountain and Bennett Valley. With mountains, benchlands, plains, abundant sunshine and the cooling effects of the nearby Pacific, this appellation can successfully produce a wide range of grape varieties. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gewürztraminer, and most notably, Zinfandel all thrive here. Ancient Zinfandel vines over 100 years old produce small crops of concentrated, spicy fruit, which in turn make some of the Valley's most unique wines. These can also be made as “field blends” (wines made from a mix of grape varieties grown in the same vineyard) along with Petite Sirah, Carignan and Alicante Bouschet.