Stanislav Lobanov

9.0

16.5/20 (90/100) Аромат варенья-пятиминутки из чёрной смородины и ванили. Тельное с довольно высокой кислотностью. Танины неслабые, но мягкие по текстуре. Приятное вино. — 6 years ago

Mason Balistreri

Sommelier, International Wine Guild; Balistreri Vineyard; Sales, Joy Wine and Spirits

9.6

It might shock you, but my favorite rosé is not French but instead comes from California! Blasphemy, I know - but Bedrock's Ode to Lulu is just that good. The difficulty is actually finding a bottle. For the last three years, I've only been allocated a case (or less) to sell here in Denver. It's possible you are one of the select few I've actually told about this wine... If not, now is your chance. This is the first year there's an "okay" supply. It won't last, but you should be able to get a bottle.

So yes, it's not French but it's made in the same style and method of Tempier Bandol Rosé- the most sought after, cult rosé out there. The name "Ode to Lulu" is actually an homage to the 4.5 foot tall, 101 year old woman named "Lulu" Peyraud (born Lucie Tempier) whose father gifted the Mourvedre heavy estate to her and her husband Lucien Peyraud. The wines they would go on to produce from the 1940's onward quite literally defined Bandol and put it on the map as some of the best rosés out there. She's still alive and presumably drinking plenty of wine.

This California-born "Ode to Lulu" is modeled after the great Tempier, but has some unique properties compared to it's French namesake. For one, the vines are EXTREMELY old. Tempier defined itself by focusing on old Mourvèdre and Grenache plantings, but even these French vineyards cannot compare to what Bedrock is working with in California. If you don't know, Bedrock is the winery of Morgon Twain Peterson, son of legendary Ravenswood founder Joel Peterson. Morgon grew up making wine and through his father has cultivated relationships with some of the most important heritage vineyards in California. The "Ode to Lulu" is made from Mourvèdre and Grenache planted as far back as 1888! These are some of the oldest plantings of these grapes around and make for unbelievable wines. Tempier's average vine age is around 40 years old today. Bedrock's is over 3x as old. Insane.

Morgon may be young, but he has a life time of winemaking experience. He started making wine with his father when he was 5 years old and hasn't stopped yet. In addition to absorbing his father's knowledge on heritage vineyards, he is a real student in the world of wine, earning a "Masters of Wine" designation (this industry's highest achievement). I've been drinking his wine for several years and I can say that his wine is made extremely thoughtfully and with expert attention to detail. This is true even with a wine as humble as rosé.

Unlike most California pink wine, Bedrock is not produced by "bleeding off" juice from a red wine. Instead, the grapes are picked early and separately at very low potential alcohols, and whole cluster pressed with low extraction. This preserves the freshness and acidity, creating a wine of clarity. In an old blog post I dug up, Morgon explains this idea:

"I pick at potential alcohols lower on the scale where brightness and lift still exist. This is not to say that fruit does not matter—I use Mourvedre from a block planted over 120 years ago for requisite concentration of complexity of flavor—but like fine champagne, the wonders of rosé lie in its unbearable lightness of being."

I agree with this idea of rosé and I think most people instinctively do as well. It's no coincidence that our best selling bottles come from provence. However, I urge you to pick up at least one bottle of this Ode to Lulu. It's a wine that's close in spirit to the best French rosé but made from vineyards that are American and unrivaled in age.

This is the fourth vintage of Ode to Lulu I've tasted, and I would say that's the most elegant yet. The 2015 was maybe my favorite for it's depth and I picked a few up to age, drinking my last bottle recently... This new vintage is great now, but it will reward with a short cellaring time. Honestly, if you can hide 2 bottles and drink them before fall or into next year, you will be blown away. Bandol rosé is a wine that improves dramatically over the course of 6 months to several years (Tempier Rosé is known to go decades). This bedrock is no different.

I can personally attest to past vintages gaining depth with time. How is this possible? Unlike other rosé which should be drank young, Bandol and Ode to Lulu are made of Mourvedre, a grape that is naturally reductive and resistant to oxidation. Further, the acidity is high and alcohol low. As the acidity starts to fall away, a depth and richness of character will emerge. In fruitier/riper rosé with more alcohol, this richness becomes too sweet and cloying... Not the case here. This keep balanced through time, gaining complexity while remaining refreshing. 

You should buy this wine. However, I think there is one more important facet to rosé that I should mention before you do... Rosé is not always about what's in the glass itself. Rosé is really an ethereal thing... It's more so an "essence" of terroir and vintage rather than a sturdy, hard representation like red wine is... Sorry if that doesn't make sense but what I'm trying to say is that sometimes rosé is more about the place and the people you enjoy it with than the exact flavors themselves. Of course, we cannot all visit the picturesque village of Bandol to visit Lulu Peyraud; but I think, with this sunny Colorado weather, we can come close. Perhaps Morgon said it better than I can:

"Proper rosé is refreshing, life-nourishing stuff that revives the soul... I drink as much for pure pleasure as for intellectual stimulation. In the warmer months there is something sacred about a late afternoon meal of cold chicken, fresh garden tomatoes, and rosé. It is one body in the sacred trilogy of rustic simplicity." - Morgon Twain Peterson

#rose #oldvine #lulu #tempier #bedrockwineco — 7 years ago

Joshua Blissett

9.8

This is one of the most purely delicious spirits I've tasted in quite some time. Bourbon-like vanilla and cherry aromas, prevalent chocolate in the middle and roasted corn at the end. Alcoholic, but smooth on the palate w/ more of that bourbon corn and butterscotch. Very cool product!! Hope to see its return! — 9 years ago

Kara Hermann

9.6

I love this wine. Very bright Chardonnay, great with salad on Christmas Eve (K&M bought at winery on Monterey trip) 2011 — 10 years ago

Blake Conklin

Cellar Hand Relic Winery

9.0

A little fruit forward, but nice for this hot summer day. — 10 years ago

Chuy Galvan

Sommelier & Educator Titan Wines

9.5

Blackberry Julep will have to suffice , no mint.... — 11 years ago

Chris Shalda

9.1

The peach was definitely the best. Had mango and cherry as well. — 12 years ago

with Karyn

Craig Schnabel

9.4

Very nice wine - Yum! — 7 years ago

Mike Evans

8.9

A little grassy with melon, very nice and it combines weight and tartness well. — 7 years ago

Trevor Kincaid

9.2

The 2015 is a light red with smooth taste throughout. — 7 years ago

Seth Shenkman

9.2

Like drinking candy. Reminds me a bit of Blanton’s. Real smooth neat. A drop of water is superb. — 8 years ago

Frank Kuo

9.6

Nose of mesmerizing peaty bacon, peppery, dried fruit like dried mango, and fermented grains. Taste is another smooth hit of sweet peaty bacon, hidden in it is some condensed sugary taste like caramel, a bit citrus zest, all mixed so harmonically. It is pure awesomeness. Aftertaste is definitely another savoring of peaty smoke, peppery with some hotness of alcohol, and lingering sweetness. Amazing and boost my spirit. — 8 years ago

James Gordon

9.3

Spirit wine. This thing is at a great place right now. Perfect with roasted chicken, lentils, and roasted vegetables. — 9 years ago

Scott Soren

9.0

Developed nicely as it opened. A little more time in bottle should help. All in all a nice bottle — 9 years ago

with Timmy

Steve Anderson

9.1

En Magnum. Pre- Falltacular dinner in the OC. Gorgeous nose, still wound tight. — 9 years ago

Ruud Verhagen

9.1

the best p/q wine from Salentein...!! — 10 years ago

Rachelle Dipalma

9.0

No harshness. Very light flavour — 11 years ago

Mel B

9.1

It has begun! The Le Metro Wine Underground curated World Bubbles experience. Thanks Aaron! — 12 years ago

with Aaron and Hawk

Velma Cooper

10

Velma had this 7 years ago

Luciano Zucarello

8.9

Aromas intensos frutas tropicales, anana. Seco en boca. — 7 years ago

John Napisa

9.6

A truly sublime spirit. Serve with ice water and a sugar cube. — 8 years ago

greg

8.9

Good blend of grapes, creating layers of dark red fruit complemented by hints of vanilla and mocha. More balanced than a spirit level. €10 Supervalu offer. — 8 years ago

Stacey Kauffman

9.0

A lovely compromise for a Cab fan sharing a bottle with someone who typically isn't, (ie- maybe more of a Pinot fan.) This is an interesting blend that both parties can enjoy! One of my favorite blends to share! — 8 years ago

Curt Williams

8.9

Well balanced, smooth fruits on the front-end, not a fruit bomb — 9 years ago

Matthew Breault

9.0

Kind of acidic on its own but pairs really well with BBQ steak — 9 years ago

Brittany Buonocore

10

Made the holiday punch recipe with orange juice and grand marnier, heated, mmmm Mmmm good!!!! — 9 years ago

Leigh Noir

10

Delectable identified this incorrectly..It's McIntosh Cellars from South Haven, Michigan. This dry cider is my newest favorite from @Kyle Whodrinks Michigan trip. Delicious crisp backbone & sweet peak ripeness Michigan apples. VERY FRESH :) — 10 years ago

with Kyle

Christian Källqvist

9.1

Balanced. Good with minute steak and bearnaise. Buy again — 10 years ago

Michael Wangbickler CWE DipWSET

President Drink Local Wine Inc, Educator Discover Wine & Spirits Academy

9.2

Great local gin. Unique botanicals. — 11 years ago

Jim Edison

9.8

Three years and I finished it! I fucking rock! Yeah... Not for lightweights... — 12 years ago