A great Syrah, the 2013 Syrah Hudson Vineyard from Carneros includes 50% whole clusters and was cofermented with 3% Viognier. Tasting like a California version of a C?te R?tie, it offers up notes of bacon fat, lard, meaty cassis and black raspberries, and a floral undercurrent. This fabulous, full-bodied, opulent, juicy, succulent, sexy Syrah should age effortlessly for a decade or more.

From a well-known Carneros vineyard, the 2012 Syrah Hudson used 60% stems and was aged in 40% new French oak. The blocks of vines used for this cuvee were planted by John Kongsgaard, who also fashions sensational wines from this source. I liked the fact that Morgan Peterson did not have a clue as to what the total alcohol was. This floral, meaty Syrah is reminiscent of a French Cote Rotie. Full-bodied and ripe with plenty of juicy blackberry fruit, this winner should drink nicely for a 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