2018 Peterson Old School Zinfandel, Tollini Vineyard
Tasting Notes
Vivid ripe red berry aromatics burst on the nose as traces of white flowers and sarsaparilla add complexity. A full, rich entry reveals blackberry mingled with raspberry and pomegranate. Bright acidity bathes the palate balancing the juicy fruit essence, while toasty oak and hints of black pepper, brown spices, and floral notes add interest and depth. The lush intense flavors fuse near the finish as the wine lingers.
This is the perfect Zin to pair with Italian braised pork shoulder ragu or a meat lover’s pizza.
Jamie Peterson’s Vintaged View
Old School is sometimes described as our “Easy Drinking, No Thinking” Zin, but don’t let that make you think it’s any less serious of a wine than our other bottlings.
After nearly ten years putting together a value-priced Zin blend from various Sonoma County grapes, our friend and grower in Mendocino, Alvin Tollini, let us know he had a mature Zinfandel vineyard coming available, and would we be interested in the fruit. We took the opportunity to create a new wine in our line of Tollini Vineyard offerings that would showcase what juicy Zin grapes from the hills of Mendocino’s Redwood Valley could produce.
Old School has a style that is full of flavor and character, but not over the top. We want a wine that is refreshing, “highly drinkable”, and satisfying. The type of Zin you can either open on a weeknight or take to a party without hesitation. One you can think about and savor…but you really don’t have to. By blending in percentages of Petite Sirah and Carignane, we complement the fruit and jam of the Zin with structure, balance, and spice, without overwhelming the singular terroir of this special place.
Specs
Varietal Breakdown | Harvest Dates
89% Zinfandel | Sept. 28 & Oct. 4
7% Petite Sirah | Oct. 17
4% Carignane | Oct. 19
Vineyard: 100% Tollini Vineyard
Appellation: Redwood Valley, Mendocino
Alcohol: 14.1%
pH: 3.42
TA: 0.65g/100ml
Barrel Aging: 20 months
Cooperage: 10% new American oak barrels
90% 4-10-year-old neutral oak barrels
Bottling Date: July 21, 2020 (unfined & unfiltered)
Peterson Winery has been producing wine in Dry Creek Valley for 30 years and, like most wineries in the Valley, produces Zinfandel as well as other wines. Yet a closer look shows that is where the similarities end.
Owner Fred Peterson is an iconoclast with an old-world winemaking philosophy and a reverence for sustainable farming. The Peterson approach is to capture the essence of vintage and vineyard—a philosophy they call Zero Manipulation—with low tech, yet high touch, to produce wines of a place, wines with soul. The evolution of Peterson wines and winemaking accelerated when Fred’s son Jamie became assistant winemaker in the summer of 2002. In 2006, after moving from the tiny red barn on Lytton Springs to Timber Crest Farms, Jamie was given the overall responsibilities as winemaker. As a winegrowing team, Fred and Jamie assess the grapes from each vineyard and vintage as the season progresses, evaluating how the weather, soil and site are interacting for the particular vintage. At Peterson winery, the winemaking process begins while the grapes are still on the vines. 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.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, LA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OR, RI, SC, TX, VT, WA, WV, WI, WY
We got this last year as part of a mixed Tollini red offering, and really liked it. We dubbed it the “no muss, no fuss, hey this is pretty nice” Zin. Works well with heartier foods, you don’t need a slab of beef, goes great with a savory mushroom sauced pasta or even meatier grilled fish (rockfish, ahi steak) or on the side with a good english cheddar with whole-wheat crackers. Presents best somewhere between cellar and room temp, but expands well as it warms up. We’ll be in for a case.
This is the perfect red to bring to that get together you have coming up, the family BBQ, or just small group entertaining at your home. It is easy drinking, great left at room temperature (or warming to room temperature from your cellar/wine fridge slowly) as it just sits out waiting to fill glasses, and offered at the perfect price point for such occasions. This is a little spicy, not sweet at all, with the slight pucker I look for. Sure, you can taste the fruit, but it is not sweet fruit. I taste no oak. At this price point, this is the PERFECT wine to drag along to that party you’re going to this summer. It’s a crowd pleaser for red drinkers. I’m in for a case!
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
2018 Peterson Old School Zinfandel - $40 = 24.23%
I have been battling the pollen, and always happy to employ others, I shared pop-and-pour with my better-half and neighbor who grew up in wine country California and is a broker. Basically, two palates that are performing better than mine.
(Industry Insider) Classic Zin look and aroma. “I can see why they call this old school. For a few decades everyone was producing really fruit-forward ones, and this is spicy, interesting aromas, definitely what I think of when I think of Mendocino Zins. You said the vines are not old-vine, how old is the vineyard?” I think sometime in the 90s? “Reaching perfect age! What is the price point?” I think they suggest just under 30, but it will be less on casemates. “Sounds like the right price for a single vineyard Zin like this.” I was quoting high!
(Better-Half) Holy crap! That is intense. I feel like I am breathing fire. Spice galore! Dark berries. Blueberry. Black pepper. Woah. It is very dry, and spicy. I am not getting a tobacco, but heady spice-shop aromas. Mole-like complexity of deep spices. Not a lot of fruit. Smooth, but still a little hot.
(Me) “Thatsa spicy Zinfindalla!” Naturally I do not mean capsaicin spicy, but when there is bit of the menthol/bay/sage/rosemary medicine notes, with cinnamon/black pepper/chicory, and then tobacco/ leather/must, all working in harmony to deliver a punch of “spice.” I really cannot describe it any other way. There were some lesser black fruits, but this wine is about everything not fruity.
We had it with smoked salmon, Ohio sheeps-milk Tomme, bacon-skillet, and Barely Buzzed cheeses, blackberry jam, baguette, and fried chicken. Everything worked, however the cheese that is espresso rubbed with lavender and butterscotchy notes was a match made in heaven! The wine accentuated those characteristics, and the cheese allowed the wine’s chocolaty, spicy, earth notes sing. Aromas of brown-sugar cinnamon toast, although do not confuse that for sweet. This is very dry!
The combination of medium tannin, spices, and crisp acidity make for versatile food wine, but perfect to quaff on its own. FWIW, the next day I tried some with Lamb Vindalooo, and that wasn’t a great move; as much as I love Indian, I never a bottle of wine to pair with it, just for rats sake… I see why.
This is a very pleasing and drinkable wine that picked a job: make a classic zin from a single vineyard, and delivered in spades. At a fantastic casemates price. If they made 15 cases or 15,000 it wouldn’t change what is inside, but to me, there is always the added pleasure of knowing it is a relatively small production from a single-vineyard.
@KNmeh7 I had some of this Zin, so I opened a bottle. Did you notice the ABV on the back label? It’s 15.2, and all that alcohol is very well balanced by the fruit and all the other notes you mentioned. Another great job by Peterson.
You mentioned trying it with cheese. I tried it with some Murray’s Stockinghall Cheddar (an upscale New York cheese) and the two went together quite well.
It’s a great wine to sip and ponder. In for a case.
@DickL You are right that this wine hides the alcohol really well. Annie’s initial reaction of some alcohol was straight from the bottle and at summer-room temp. And even then, it is nothing like some 15%ers. Good point.
@kawichris650 I also have an inventory that needs to be reduced but,I’m a fan of spicy zin. This sounds good. I’d be in for up to 6 bottles depending on how many responses you get.
Happy Monday!
Summer time BBQ, single vineyard and great QPR wine of choice coming your way. Last call for the beautifully balanced and spice 2018 vintage.
Happy to check in and answer any questions all day here from the mild but sunny Dry Creek Valley
Thanks 'rats as always. The Peterson folks do such a great job with their wines - had to get a case. Also - props to the folks who ratted the Schug SB - just received it and it is fabulous. Thanks!
Yall convinced me. Hard to say no at this price, and I’ve really liked the other 2 cases of Peterson wines that I’ve bought here.
/giphy assorted-abiding-ball
2018 Peterson Old School Zinfandel, Tollini Vineyard
Tasting Notes
Jamie Peterson’s Vintaged View
Specs
What’s Included
4-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
$288.00/Case for 4x 2018 Peterson Old School Zinfandel, Tollini Vineyard at Peterson Winery
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, LA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OR, RI, SC, TX, VT, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Jun 10 - Tuesday, Jun 11
2018 Peterson Old School Zinfandel
4 bottles for $54.99 $13.75/bottle + $2/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $124.99 $10.42/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
We got this last year as part of a mixed Tollini red offering, and really liked it. We dubbed it the “no muss, no fuss, hey this is pretty nice” Zin. Works well with heartier foods, you don’t need a slab of beef, goes great with a savory mushroom sauced pasta or even meatier grilled fish (rockfish, ahi steak) or on the side with a good english cheddar with whole-wheat crackers. Presents best somewhere between cellar and room temp, but expands well as it warms up. We’ll be in for a case.
Getting right to it:
This is the perfect red to bring to that get together you have coming up, the family BBQ, or just small group entertaining at your home. It is easy drinking, great left at room temperature (or warming to room temperature from your cellar/wine fridge slowly) as it just sits out waiting to fill glasses, and offered at the perfect price point for such occasions. This is a little spicy, not sweet at all, with the slight pucker I look for. Sure, you can taste the fruit, but it is not sweet fruit. I taste no oak. At this price point, this is the PERFECT wine to drag along to that party you’re going to this summer. It’s a crowd pleaser for red drinkers. I’m in for a case!
/giphy cliched-dorky-dingo
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
2018 Peterson Old School Zinfandel - $40 = 24.23%
I have been battling the pollen, and always happy to employ others, I shared pop-and-pour with my better-half and neighbor who grew up in wine country California and is a broker. Basically, two palates that are performing better than mine.
(Industry Insider) Classic Zin look and aroma. “I can see why they call this old school. For a few decades everyone was producing really fruit-forward ones, and this is spicy, interesting aromas, definitely what I think of when I think of Mendocino Zins. You said the vines are not old-vine, how old is the vineyard?” I think sometime in the 90s? “Reaching perfect age! What is the price point?” I think they suggest just under 30, but it will be less on casemates. “Sounds like the right price for a single vineyard Zin like this.” I was quoting high!
(Better-Half) Holy crap! That is intense. I feel like I am breathing fire. Spice galore! Dark berries. Blueberry. Black pepper. Woah. It is very dry, and spicy. I am not getting a tobacco, but heady spice-shop aromas. Mole-like complexity of deep spices. Not a lot of fruit. Smooth, but still a little hot.
(Me) “Thatsa spicy Zinfindalla!” Naturally I do not mean capsaicin spicy, but when there is bit of the menthol/bay/sage/rosemary medicine notes, with cinnamon/black pepper/chicory, and then tobacco/ leather/must, all working in harmony to deliver a punch of “spice.” I really cannot describe it any other way. There were some lesser black fruits, but this wine is about everything not fruity.
We had it with smoked salmon, Ohio sheeps-milk Tomme, bacon-skillet, and Barely Buzzed cheeses, blackberry jam, baguette, and fried chicken. Everything worked, however the cheese that is espresso rubbed with lavender and butterscotchy notes was a match made in heaven! The wine accentuated those characteristics, and the cheese allowed the wine’s chocolaty, spicy, earth notes sing. Aromas of brown-sugar cinnamon toast, although do not confuse that for sweet. This is very dry!
The combination of medium tannin, spices, and crisp acidity make for versatile food wine, but perfect to quaff on its own. FWIW, the next day I tried some with Lamb Vindalooo, and that wasn’t a great move; as much as I love Indian, I never a bottle of wine to pair with it, just for rats sake… I see why.
This is a very pleasing and drinkable wine that picked a job: make a classic zin from a single vineyard, and delivered in spades. At a fantastic casemates price. If they made 15 cases or 15,000 it wouldn’t change what is inside, but to me, there is always the added pleasure of knowing it is a relatively small production from a single-vineyard.
Thanks for the chance to rat, and a great offer.
@KNmeh7 I had some of this Zin, so I opened a bottle. Did you notice the ABV on the back label? It’s 15.2, and all that alcohol is very well balanced by the fruit and all the other notes you mentioned. Another great job by Peterson.
You mentioned trying it with cheese. I tried it with some Murray’s Stockinghall Cheddar (an upscale New York cheese) and the two went together quite well.
It’s a great wine to sip and ponder. In for a case.
@DickL You are right that this wine hides the alcohol really well. Annie’s initial reaction of some alcohol was straight from the bottle and at summer-room temp. And even then, it is nothing like some 15%ers. Good point.
@coynedj @cynthylee @CruelMelody
@Jeanhp3 @Heyjude1 @ampeloquin22
@TJDoering @jermarley @adrianafitz
@carl669 @takethefarm @pete0744
@chrisnord @PRH2
I’m supposed to be working on shrinking my inventory, but this sounds tasty.
Anyone in the Twin Cities area interested in splitting a case?
@kawichris650 I also have an inventory that needs to be reduced but,I’m a fan of spicy zin. This sounds good. I’d be in for up to 6 bottles depending on how many responses you get.
@Heyjude1
Six bottles each sounds good to me. I’ll place the order.
@Heyjude1
/giphy soaking-outer-bike
@kawichris650 Great. We’ve casemated before. When it arrives, we’ll make final arrangements.
Happy Monday!
Summer time BBQ, single vineyard and great QPR wine of choice coming your way. Last call for the beautifully balanced and spice 2018 vintage.
Happy to check in and answer any questions all day here from the mild but sunny Dry Creek Valley
Thanks 'rats as always. The Peterson folks do such a great job with their wines - had to get a case. Also - props to the folks who ratted the Schug SB - just received it and it is fabulous. Thanks!
Peterson is good juice!
No PA
Yall convinced me. Hard to say no at this price, and I’ve really liked the other 2 cases of Peterson wines that I’ve bought here.
/giphy assorted-abiding-ball