Bedrock Wine Co. Evangelho Vineyard Heritage 2023

The 2023 Evangelho Heritage Wine is fabulous. Intensely floral and lifted, the 2023 is so finessed. Bright red berry fruit, blood orange, mint, spice and lavender all grace the palate. It's another wine in this vintage that is especially vibrant and red-toned. The late harvest, a month later than usual, brought out the best from these own-rooted vines planted in the 1890s. This opens beautifully on the mid-palate and through to the finish.

Robust yet retains a sense of style and polish, with lilting raspberry and cherry flavors laced with sweet anise, savory pepper and dusky spices as this gathers tension toward fine-grained tannins. Zinfandel, Mourvedre, Alicante Bouschet, Grand Noir, Palomino and Clairette Blanche. Drink now through 2035. 1,000 cases made.

The 2023 Evangelho Vineyard Heritage comes from vines planted in the 1890s in sandy soils, which Bedrock now owns and farms. It's composed of about 78% Zinfandel, 16% Mourvèdre and smaller portions of Grand Noir, Alicante Bouschet and Palomino. Matured in foudres and large demi-muids, it has pure, soaring aromas of Italian plum, cracked pepper, salumi and violet. The light-bodied palate is supple, fresh and inviting with transparent flavors and a long, bright finish.