2012 Bedrock Mixed Blacks Weill a Way Vineyard

The stunning 2012 Weill Away Mixed Blacks was formerly known as the Shanel Vineyard, which some readers may remember as a source utilized by David Ramey. Now planted with Zinfandel, Grenache, Petite Sirah, Alicante Bouchet and Mourvedre, and probably a few other mystery grapes, everything is harvested and co-fermented together. The result is a terrific old style California wine with lots of peppery, berry notes intermixed with hints of Provencal herbs, underbrush and extravagant quantities of sweet kirsch, black currants and incense. This incredibly sexy red reminded me of a top-flight Southern Rhone despite the blend. Full-bodied and silky textured, this beauty can be enjoyed over the next 5-6 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