2019 Peterson Zinfandel, Dry Creek – Comfort Wine
Photo from Peterson Winery website
The Winery
Photo from Peterson Winery website
The winery was founded by Fred Peterson and has been producing wine in the Dry Creek Valley for 30 years. Fred’s approach to winemaking was and is still a philosophy called Zero Manipulation. The goal is simply to use “low tech” and a “high touch” to produce wines with a “sense of place and soul”. In so enacting this approach it allows them to capture the essence of the vineyard, the character of the grapes and bring forth the soul of the vineyard. Having the estate winery at 1,000 feet elevation Fred states it “adds aromatics and texture to the wine… and provides a peppery quality”. At the higher elevation, means more sunlight hours and darker richer fruit.
Photo from Peterson Winery website
His son Jaime became the assistant winemaker in 2002 and in 2006 took over responsibilities as winemaker. Jaime continues the founding philosophy and presents each vintage/vineyard to stand by its self with Zero Manipulation with no additional tweaking or homogenizing the wine.
The Vineyard or Zinyard as it is called:
Photo from Peterson Winery website
Paul and Yael Bernier farm in the Northern part of Dry Creek is where the grapes come from. It is on the East Bench in Dry Creek Valley. The Peterson’s chose the Swan on the label as the Zinfandel from here is considered elegant and balanced.
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The wine was intriguing on various levels. First is was semi-translucent and with an uncommon clarity. Appearing not like a hearty Zinfandel, yet it packed sufficient weight. It is 82% Zinfandel and 18% Petite Sirah providing a unique tasting experience. First on the eyes bright clarity as seen in the photo. On the nose, aromas of cherry and stewed plums. On the palate the fruits are present but contained to a smooth sipping wine. The finish followed with strawberry tastes and a mix of a dry Zinfandel and Petite Sirah lingering in the background. Elegant and easy to taste and enjoy – like a recliner after a hard day’s work!
The wine is aged 22 months in 100% 6-10 year old oak barrels and comes in on the low side for a Zinfandel at 13.1%. It sells for $36/bottle. Only 100 cases produced and is unfiltered and unrefined.
The Food and Wine Pairing – “Food without wine is a corpse; wine without food is a ghost. United and well matched, they are as body and soul: living partners” – Andre Simon
Photo ©Michael Kelly
With my wife down with an injury, our friend Mary Goulart dropped off homemade beef stew with potatoes. The stew was a delightful comfort food for the weather as well as for my wife. Having the “mellow” Zinfandel was a perfect combination with the meal. Enjoyed a glass with the dinner as well as a glass after dinner by itself.
Sláinte,
Michael