About the Vintage
2018 and the hits keep coming… another promising Zinfandel vintage in Sonoma County. 2018 had a few significant vintage events: (1) A very warm February caused early bud break, (2) average rainfall, (3) the rest of the season punctuated by hot spells, and (4) we had average temperatures during the growing season—we were not forced to pick by any extreme weather events. It was something normal; we love normal. There are innate qualities to 2018 that offer long term promise of polish and finesse and I think 2018 is very similar to our wonderful 2014 wines that our team loves.
Erin Brooks, The Wine Advocate | 95+ Points
Medium ruby-purple, the 2018 Zinfandel Rockpile Secret Stones offers generous layers of blackberries, blueberries and cranberries with tones of crushed stone, allspice, peaches and wildflowers. The full-bodied palate is plush and ripe without going over the top, a streak of stony character anchoring its layered fruits. It is supported by loads of grainy tannins and bright acidity that highlight pretty, spicy layers and drive the long finish. Powerful yet elegant, and blended with a 3% dash of Petite Sirah, it will be long lived in the cellar. 250 cases were made.
Best 3 Star Wines of the Year 2021
Stephen Eliot, Connoisseurs' Guide Critic
Connoisseurs' Guide | 96 Points
There is host of accomplished Zinfandels to choose from these days, but we have come to expect Beekeeper’s version to vie for top honors as each new vintage arrives, and the latest Secret Stones bottling is a stunning, amazingly well-made wine that does not disappoint. It is a big, remarkably deep working that is brimming with concentrated, very pure varietal fruit and, while fully ripe, never crosses the line into excess. It is nothing short of an absolute show-stopper now, but it has all the hallmarks of a classic rendition that will grow and grow with time, and serious collectors lucky enough to hide a few bottles away in the dark and distant recesses of the cellar for a full decade or more will see just how good genuinely great Zinfandel can be when given the chance to age.
Jeb Dunnuck | 93 points
Coming from a steep hillside vineyard in the Rockpile AVA in Sonoma, the 2018 Zinfandel Secret Stones is 97% Zinfandel and 3% Petite Sirah. It's another elegant, medium-bodied wine from this estate offering terrific complexity in its red and black berry fruits, sandalwood, dried flowers, and spice-driven aromas and flavors. Nicely balanced, fresh, and elegant, it too should have a solid decade of longevity.
Purely Domestic Wine Report | 93 points
The nose is sticky plum, grilled meat, sappy underbrush and licorice. The palate entry is polished red currant and cherry with sappy nectar in the core leading to a finish of broken rock, watermelon and black pepper spice. Drink 2021 — 2030.
Beekeeper Cellars
Grape: 97% Zinfandel & 3% Petite Sirah
Vineyard: Madrone Spring Vineyard, Dry Farmed California Certified Sustainable Wine Growing
Appellation: Rockpile, Sonoma County
Vintage: 2018 - Bottled December 18th, 2019
Winemaker: Clay Mauritson, Ian Blackburn &
Emma Kudritzki
Alcohol: 14.75%. PH: 4.08 TA: 5.940 (g/L)
Aged: 15 months, French Oak (20% new)
2018 and the hits keep coming… another promising Zinfandel vintage in Sonoma County. 2018 had a few significant vintage events: (1) A very warm February caused early bud break, (2) average rainfall, (3) the rest of the season punctuated by hot spells, and (4) we had average temperatures during the growing season—we were not forced to pick by any extreme weather events. It was something normal; we love normal. There are innate qualities to 2018 that offer long term promise of polish and finesse and I think 2018 is very similar to our wonderful 2014 wines that our team loves.
Erin Brooks, The Wine Advocate | 95+ Points
Medium ruby-purple, the 2018 Zinfandel Rockpile Secret Stones offers generous layers of blackberries, blueberries and cranberries with tones of crushed stone, allspice, peaches and wildflowers. The full-bodied palate is plush and ripe without going over the top, a streak of stony character anchoring its layered fruits. It is supported by loads of grainy tannins and bright acidity that highlight pretty, spicy layers and drive the long finish. Powerful yet elegant, and blended with a 3% dash of Petite Sirah, it will be long lived in the cellar. 250 cases were made.
Best 3 Star Wines of the Year 2021
Stephen Eliot, Connoisseurs' Guide Critic
Connoisseurs' Guide | 96 Points
There is host of accomplished Zinfandels to choose from these days, but we have come to expect Beekeeper’s version to vie for top honors as each new vintage arrives, and the latest Secret Stones bottling is a stunning, amazingly well-made wine that does not disappoint. It is a big, remarkably deep working that is brimming with concentrated, very pure varietal fruit and, while fully ripe, never crosses the line into excess. It is nothing short of an absolute show-stopper now, but it has all the hallmarks of a classic rendition that will grow and grow with time, and serious collectors lucky enough to hide a few bottles away in the dark and distant recesses of the cellar for a full decade or more will see just how good genuinely great Zinfandel can be when given the chance to age.
Jeb Dunnuck | 93 points
Coming from a steep hillside vineyard in the Rockpile AVA in Sonoma, the 2018 Zinfandel Secret Stones is 97% Zinfandel and 3% Petite Sirah. It's another elegant, medium-bodied wine from this estate offering terrific complexity in its red and black berry fruits, sandalwood, dried flowers, and spice-driven aromas and flavors. Nicely balanced, fresh, and elegant, it too should have a solid decade of longevity.
Purely Domestic Wine Report | 93 points
The nose is sticky plum, grilled meat, sappy underbrush and licorice. The palate entry is polished red currant and cherry with sappy nectar in the core leading to a finish of broken rock, watermelon and black pepper spice. Drink 2021 — 2030.
Beekeeper Cellars
Grape: 97% Zinfandel & 3% Petite Sirah
Vineyard: Madrone Spring Vineyard, Dry Farmed California Certified Sustainable Wine Growing
Appellation: Rockpile, Sonoma County
Vintage: 2018 - Bottled December 18th, 2019
Winemaker: Clay Mauritson, Ian Blackburn &
Emma Kudritzki
Alcohol: 14.75%. PH: 4.08 TA: 5.940 (g/L)
Aged: 15 months, French Oak (20% new)