2011 Bedrock Syrah Kick Ranch

Glass-staining purple. Black and blue fruits on the nose and palate, with an exotic touch of candied flowers adding complexity. Smoke and olive notes come up with air, along with a hint of black tea. Silky and sweet on the close, strongly repeating the floral and smoke notes.

The 2011 Syrah Kick Ranch bursts from the glass with a rush of expressive dark fruit. Creamy and resonant, the 2011 impresses for how open it is, especially within the context of the year. Savory herb and floral notes develop in the glass, but the Kick Ranch is really an immediate wine built on fruit. My impression is that it will drink well pretty much upon release and for at least another decade beyond. Today, it is a treat to gain an early glimpse into the potential of the wine. The 2011 was made with the inclusion of 5% Viognier. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2025. 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