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 | 96 Points
The 2018 Zinfandel Montecillo Vineyard comes from a vineyard co-planted with a small percentage of Petite Sirah and offers the kaleidoscopic aromatics of the best Zinfandels and a great balance of intensity and elegance. Medium ruby in color, it's bursting with pure scents of baked rhubarb, apricot and peach, wafts of tar and exotic floral and botanical nuances. Medium to full-bodied, its intense fruits are foiled by juicy acidity and abundant, grainy tannins, and it has a long, layered finish. 190 cases were made.
Connoisseurs' Guide | 95 Points
Taking its accustomed place at the head of the class, Beekeeper comes through once more with a top-tier Zinfandel that impresses equally for its concentration, its precision and sheer fruity depth. Time and again, Beekeeper has proven that richness, ripeness and balance are not mutually exclusive, and, as outgoing and involving as this so very generous wine may be at the moment, it is structured to age famously and is, in our minds, one that absolutely demands time if it is to achieve its full potential. As for cellaring strategy, three years seems the minimum while ten is not too much, and one or two bottles is not nearly enough.
Jeb Dunnuck | 93 points
From a site in Sonoma County sitting at 1,500 feet in elevation, the 2018 Zinfandel Montecillo Vineyard (which includes 2% Petite Sirah) sports a ruby hue as well as a sweet nose of red plums, sandalwood, flowery incense, ripe cherries, and herbes de Provence. It's medium-bodied on the palate, with a balanced, elegant mouthfeel, supple tannins, and a great finish. This complex, nuanced Zinfandel has loads of character and should have 8-10 years of overall longevity."
Purely Domestic Wine Report | 93 points
The nose is cassis and spruce needle accented with spiced red plum and blueberry. The palate entry is a saturated, sappy blue plum, currant and licorice leading to a core of lean, youthful pomegranate and raspberry. Vibrant toasted stone fruits on the finish. Drink 2021 — 2030.
Beekeeper Cellars
Grape: 98% Zinfandel, 2% Petite Sirah
Vineyard: Montecillo Vineyard, Dry Farmed California Certified Sustainable Wine Growing
Appellation: Sonoma Valley AVA, Sonoma County
Vintage: 2017 - Bottled December 18th, 2019
Winemaker: Clay Mauritson, Ian Blackburn & Emma Kudritzki
Alcohol: 14.75% Alc. pH: 3.80, TA 6.2, R.S. .99
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 | 96 Points
The 2018 Zinfandel Montecillo Vineyard comes from a vineyard co-planted with a small percentage of Petite Sirah and offers the kaleidoscopic aromatics of the best Zinfandels and a great balance of intensity and elegance. Medium ruby in color, it's bursting with pure scents of baked rhubarb, apricot and peach, wafts of tar and exotic floral and botanical nuances. Medium to full-bodied, its intense fruits are foiled by juicy acidity and abundant, grainy tannins, and it has a long, layered finish. 190 cases were made.
Connoisseurs' Guide | 95 Points
Taking its accustomed place at the head of the class, Beekeeper comes through once more with a top-tier Zinfandel that impresses equally for its concentration, its precision and sheer fruity depth. Time and again, Beekeeper has proven that richness, ripeness and balance are not mutually exclusive, and, as outgoing and involving as this so very generous wine may be at the moment, it is structured to age famously and is, in our minds, one that absolutely demands time if it is to achieve its full potential. As for cellaring strategy, three years seems the minimum while ten is not too much, and one or two bottles is not nearly enough.
Jeb Dunnuck | 93 points
From a site in Sonoma County sitting at 1,500 feet in elevation, the 2018 Zinfandel Montecillo Vineyard (which includes 2% Petite Sirah) sports a ruby hue as well as a sweet nose of red plums, sandalwood, flowery incense, ripe cherries, and herbes de Provence. It's medium-bodied on the palate, with a balanced, elegant mouthfeel, supple tannins, and a great finish. This complex, nuanced Zinfandel has loads of character and should have 8-10 years of overall longevity."
Purely Domestic Wine Report | 93 points
The nose is cassis and spruce needle accented with spiced red plum and blueberry. The palate entry is a saturated, sappy blue plum, currant and licorice leading to a core of lean, youthful pomegranate and raspberry. Vibrant toasted stone fruits on the finish. Drink 2021 — 2030.
Beekeeper Cellars
Grape: 98% Zinfandel, 2% Petite Sirah
Vineyard: Montecillo Vineyard, Dry Farmed California Certified Sustainable Wine Growing
Appellation: Sonoma Valley AVA, Sonoma County
Vintage: 2017 - Bottled December 18th, 2019
Winemaker: Clay Mauritson, Ian Blackburn & Emma Kudritzki
Alcohol: 14.75% Alc. pH: 3.80, TA 6.2, R.S. .99
Aged: 15 months, French Oak (20% new)