2012 Bedrock Syrah North Coast

Another ridiculous value, the 2012 North Coast Syrah is a fabulous wine to drink now and over the next few years. Dark red stone fruits, licorice and spices are all expressive in this supple, delicious Syrah. A dollop of Viognier (5-6%) and a healthy amount of stems give the Syrah an attractive, floral upper register that only adds to the wine's considerable appeal. The 2012 is a blend of Weill, Hudson, Griffin's Lair, Rossi Ranch and Alder Springs, not a bad combination of sites for an appellation wine.

The 2012 Syrah North Coast is a multi-appellation blend from five separate vineyards that utilized 40% stems and 15% new French oak. It is a delicious, sexy, up-front Syrah meant for near-term consumption. With impressive levels of blackberry and acacia flower notes intermixed with licorice and charcoal, this wine should drink well for 5-7 years. Morgan Twain Peterson, the son of Ravenswood's Joel Peterson, has hit the wine scene with a bang, producing vibrant, personality-filled, delicious wines from extremely old vines and, in some cases, virtually unknown grapes, such as Aubun, Teredalgo, Trousseau Noir, Le Noir, Mission, Trousseau Gris, Grand Noir and Abouriou, as well as Zinfandel, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Grenache, Carignan, Alicante Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Tempranillo. Many of these sites are heritage terroirs from the ancient past which, until Peterson's arrival, were largely ignored or were co-mingled into some innocuous industrial blend. Bedrock's portfolio is filled with exciting wines. The 2012s reviewed herein will all be bottled and released by Fall, 2014. Tel. (707) 343-1478