2011 Bedrock Zinfandel Saitone Ranch

Bright purple. An explosively perfumed nose displays an array of black and blue fruits, Asian spices and mineral aromas. Sweet cherry-cola and blueberry flavors stain the palate and are supported by bright acidity. Silky and smooth on the finish, repeating the intense dark fruit qualities and closing on notes of candied flowers, woodsmoke and cola. Morgan told me that these vines were planted in 1896.

Bedrock’s 2011 Zinfandel Saitone Ranch jumps from the glass with juicy dark cherries, violets and cloves. A rich, sumptuous wine, the Saitone Ranch boasts stunning depth and richness, but no excess weight at all. It is a striking, breathtakingly beautiful wine. Floral and mineral notes add lift on the bright, chiseled finish. This is a fabulous wine from Morgan Peterson. The Saitone is a field blend consisting of roughly 85% Zinfandel and 15% Petite Sirah, Alicante and assorted other grapes. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2021. Morgan Peterson continues to put out a bevy of superb, site-driven wines, many of them focused on the old-vine, heritage sites he and a small cadre of fellow producers have brought back from the brink of extinction. When I taste the Bedrock wines, I often get the impression they will age very well, despite their considerable near-term appeal. Tel. (707) 364-8763