WTN: You put the Lodi right on me

[David M. Bueker]

• 2019 Bedrock Wine Co. Zinfandel Noma Vineyard - USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi (8/22/2025)
  Five years after my first bottle, and it feels pretty static. That’s fine though, as it’s approachable and nicely balanced. Don’t think I would have guessed Lodi blind, as it has some of the high-toned character I often associate with Russian River Valley Zins such as Limerick Lane Vineyard. Might as well drink up over the next few years, as this doesn’t seem like it’s going to change/develop much, so catch the fruit now.

[Jenise]

Interesting. Lodi is one of those areas I don't give a second chance to, like Paso Robles and Australia's Barossa Valley. But might have made an exception for Bedrock.

Interesting. Lodi is one of those areas I don't give a second chance to, like Paso Robles and Australia's Barossa Valley. But might have made an exception for Bedrock.

I have a soft spot for Paso, as that's where our son was conceived, but it's important to distinguish the Western region (Tablas Creek) from the Eastern. I do admit to dismissing most wines from Lodi (CCR has forever biased me in this regard), though I do confess to consuming a few bottles of the Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc Viognier from there.

[Jenise]

Understandable about your soft spot for the wines, and I've heard that about east vs. west. We did a weekend there around 2010 and we stayed mostly on the west side. I expected to bring home a case of souvenirs but in fact only found eight or nine bottles that didn't seem OTT with ripeness and alcohol. Yet when I opened them back home after returning to my usual ways even those I t had passing, didn't. Including some Tablas Creeks. So I just don't go near them. Something that showed up at a mixed gathering not long ago was a rare, likeable exception ('Harriet' might be in the name).

[David M. Bueker]

Bedrock and Sandlands (even if I am not much of a fan of Sandlands) put Lodi back on the map for me.