Top vintage ever for the Wine Review online, which says:
Beautifully realized wine. It is fully ripe, but maintains subtle peppery character and some cedar spice notes that cut through properly brambly fruit on the nose and the palate. A mouth filling texture carries a little bit of rustic green edge that is a nice foil for the fruit. It’s quite inviting, and will please a range of Zinfandel fans. Pair it with medium to strong cheeses, or give it a whirl with spicy pork or beef preparations.
As their British importer explains:
Owner Fred Peterson is an iconoclast with an old-world winemaking philosophy and a devotion to sustainable farming. With decades of expertise, from 1985 to 1990, Fred was the Vineyard Manager of the legendary Ridge Vineyards. The Peterson approach is to capture the essence of vintage and vineyard, a philosophy they call ‘Zero Manipulation’, with low tech, yet high touch winemaking techniques to produce artisanal wines of a place: wines with soul. Based in the Dry Creek Valley in northern Sonoma County, Peterson Winery was established in 1987. Fred’s son Jamie became assistant winemaker in the summer of 2002 and by 2006, Jamie was given the overall responsibility of winemaker. As a team, Fred and Jamie meticulously assess the grapes from each vineyard and vintage, evaluating how the weather, soil and site are interacting for the particular vintage. The duo pour their heart and soul into every bottle, producing beautifully balanced wines which truly reflect the time and the place.
Peterson says:
Deep, dark and rich aromas and flavors offer the quintessential Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel. The nose is filled with spicy blackberry laced with fresh cracked black pepper. The easy entry quickly exposes mouthwatering acidity, along with a delicious blend of ripe cherry, black raspberry and boysenberry. Toasted oak and spicy pepper seamlessly integrate with the luscious flavors, adding depth and balance. This wine offers all the beauty of Zinfandel fruit without any of the jammy, over the top qualities. A great Zin to pair with everything from pizza and pasta to burgers and ribs. A couple of our favorites are baked sausage and ricotta rigatoni, or braised lamb shanks served over garlic mashed potatoes.
It's also the richest and ripest vintage they’ve made, at 15.5%, yet still with Peterson’s trademark balance and food-friendly style.
This easily competes with Zinfandels twice its price - but then, it always does.
Again, though, only 8 cases left at the best price anywhere.