2012 Syrah Alder Springs Vineyard

The 2012 Syrah Alder Springs comes across as intensely ripe and also a bit heavy. Today the flavors are quite dark and ripe to the point of being almost pruney. Judging by the strength of the range, my impression is that this is a slightly flawed barrel sample that might have gotten a touch oxidized before I saw it.

The 2012 Syrah Alder Springs used 80% stems and was aged in 30% new French oak. It exhibits an opaque purple color, blueberry, black raspberry and blackberry fruit, a full-bodied, opulent texture, and tremendous purity as well as length. Drink this stunning Syrah over the next decade. 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

The 2012 Syrah Alder Springs used 80% stems and was aged in 30% new French oak. It exhibits an opaque purple color, blueberry, black raspberry and blackberry fruit, a full-bodied, opulent texture, and tremendous purity as well as length. Drink this stunning Syrah over the next decade. Dec 2013, www.robertparker.com