Peterson Bradford Vineyard Estate Syrah Vertical

Tasting notes & discussion 26

Typically $48/bottle from Peterson Winery
Vintage 2016, 2017, & 2018 from Dry Creek Valley
Available for AZ; CA; CO; DC; FL; GA; IA; ID; IL; IN; LA; MA; ME; MI; MN; MO; MT; NC; NE; NH; NJ; NM; NV; NY; OH; OR; RI; SC; TX; VT; WA; WI; WV; WY
Sold by participating winery or licensee, fulfilled by Wine Country Connect

About Peterson Winery: “Zero Manipulation is a discipline the Petersons follow to capture the character and balance of inherent in the grapes. Zero Manipulation means using the most gentle, traditional winemaking practices possible to maximize the flavors, aromatics and texture of the wines. Fred and Jamie celebrate vintage differences and don’t tweak or homogenize the wine to obtain consistency of flavors, a common practice in mass-market wineries. For Fred and Jamie, Peterson Winery is all about the wines. But if you look a little deeper, you’ll see the heart and soul that goes into every bottle.”

Chelan in the New Year

TASTING NOTES:
2016 - “Rich aromas of ripe plum and dark chocolate mingle with hints of loamy earth and kid glove. The first sip reveals plush flavors gently wrapped with mocha oak notes and supple tannins. A slightly chewy palate exposes cherry, Santa Rosa plum and dried strawberry, along with traces of minerality, leather and a defining wild game essence. Well-integrated with a nice balance of finesse and robustness, these mountain-grown grapes shine through in this elegant wine.” (AbV 14.7%, pH 3.62, TA 0.64 g/100mL)

2017 - “Intriguing aromatics fill the nose with black plum and white pepper mingled with traces of leather, smoking meat, creamy vanilla and mocha, hinting at the delicious flavors to follow. The smooth entry slowly exposes a midpalate of bright blackberry, dark plum and a touch of blueberry, long with a hint of chewiness. Secondary flavors of cracked peppercorns, creamy coffee and semi-sweet chocolate add to the wine’s depth and appeal. The rich yet balanced flavors linger as the subtle integrated structure appears, showing just a bit of muscle in the finish.” (AbV 14.7%, pH 3.55, TA 0.71 g/100mL)

2018 - “The layered aromas indicate the complexity and structure of this restrained, elegant wine. The nose fills with traces of blackberry and cherry preserves, along with loamy earth, violet and white floral notes. The wine’s rich texture adds to its finesse, enhancing the depth of flavors. Allspice, cedar, leather and a flinty mineral essence weave through Chelan cherry, boysenberry plum and huckleberry that linger in the finish.” (AbV 13.7%, pH 3.62, TA 0.65 g/100mL)

VARIETALS: 93% Syrah, 7% Viognier.

BARRELS: 22-26 months in French oak, 60%+ new for 2017 and 2018, 33% new for 2016.

PAIRS WITH: 2016 with coffee-crusted beef tenderloin steak and a twice-baked potato, or eggplant lasagna with a crusty garlic butter-laced French baguette. 2017 with smoked duck breast and a cremini mushroom and wild rice pilaf, or blueberry balsamic braised brisket. 2018 with jambalaya loaded with sausages, chicken and shrimp, or a medium rare tri-tip with chimichurri on the side.

THAT REMINDS ME OF: Chelan cherry.

I don’t know much about cherries, but there are several cultivars out there. First, they are divided between sweet cherries and sour cherries. Then you have all kinds of different ones under those umbrellas. Everyone knows Bing, of course. But what about Chelan, as mentioned by Peterson? They were developed in Washington. And, just because they’re fun names: Black Republican. Emperor Francis. Sweetheart. Germersdorfer. Good stuff.

Peterson Bradford Vineyard Estate Syrah Vertical

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