90 Points - Wine Enthusiast
Drinks great now, and will easily cellar 10+ years.
Pair with fresh blue cheese, eggplant parmesan, pasta Bolognese, barbequed pork chops, and grilled steak with black peppercorn sauce.
VINEYARD
Bedrock Vineyard is one of the oldest vineyards in the state. Originally owned by Generals Sherman and Hooker of Civil War fame, these particular vines were planted after the vineyard changed hands in 1888, making this a notable historic vineyard. A blend of equal quantities of Mourvèdre, Carignane, and Zinfandel, all from ancient vines, make this one of the most interesting and stylish wines produced at Dashe Cellars.
WINEMAKING
Harvested separately into ½ ton picking bins, the grapes were hand-sorted, and then fermented using the native "wild" native yeasts. Each varietal was fermented in separate bins, and the cap "punched down" by hand four times a day. This technique produces great fruit extraction with minimal tannins. Gently pressed into traditional 60-gallon oak barrels, each varietal was kept separate, and blended carefully to develop texture, intensity, and balance between the acidity and spicy fruit.
Vintage: 2018
Varietals: 42% Carignane, 38% Mourvèdre and 20% Zinfandel
Vineyard: Bedrock Vineyard
Appellation: Sonoma County
Time in oak: 18 months in French oak
Alcohol: 13.8%
95 Points
Entices with aromas of Bing cherry, raspberry, and cedar spice. Indicative of the cool vintage, the wine carries a freshness throughout. The palate offers a harmonious balance between bright red fruit, spice, and nicely woven tannins.
95 Points
Deep garnet-purple in color, it strides confidently out of the glass with notes of crushed blueberries, ripe, fresh blackberries and warm cassis plus hints of black cherry, cardamom and nutmeg. The full-bodied palate is full of crunchy black fruits. It's rich and ripe firm chewy tannins provide additional structure and complexity as you make your descent into a long and flavorful finish.
94 Points
Aromas of honey, ginger, and key lime radiate from this elegant Chardonnay. A burst of fresh citrus, lime, and star fruit enlivens the front palate upon first sip and is quickly followed by ginger and white pepper, all underscored by subtle notes of white peach and cardamom. Vibrant acidity and steely minerality give the wine excellent structure as it moves into a long, flavorful finish.
93 Points
Robust aromatics of boysenberry, blackberry, cranberry, and black cherry are the centerpiece of this wine, harmonizing with the underlying aromas of violets, sandalwood, and forest floor. The first sip opens on the palate with a rush of softness and density, and lush, savory tannins. Red berries, blackberry, and cassis envelop the tongue on the mid-palate, gently punctuated with subtle acidity followed by a long, flavorful finish.
94 Points
Aromas of fresh lime, verbena, and gooseberry are followed by a juicy, aromatic front palate with bright acidity that wakes up your taste buds. The heightened aromatics develop even greater complexity on the mid-palate, featuring fresh lemon and star fruit, with just a hint of green apple and mango. Gorgeous structural precision leads to a long and chiseled finish with lasting minerality.
90 Points
Aromas of cranberry, sour cherry, plum, and orange rind, complemented by hints of forest floor, pine needles, and rosemary. The wine opens with flavor of juicy red fruit supported by spicy undertones of red pepper and black tea. The freshness of its red fruit are enhanced a vibrant core of light acidity and full rich tannins all of which linger gracefully in the long finish.
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