2008 Peterson Winery “1-2-3 Cab” Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Operative’s Choice: Top QPR Cabernet Sauvignon
Mission Codename: 1, 2, 3, Let’s Go!
Operative: Agent White
Objective: Return to Peterson Winery and retrieve a Cab that is perfect for every day enjoyment.
Mission Status: Accomplished!
Current Winery: Peterson Winery
Wine Subject: 2008 “1-2-3 Cab” Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Winemaker: Jamie Peterson
Backgrounder:
Sonoma County’s Dry Creek Valley is a treasure trove of great wines. While The Wine Spies have been trying to keep from acquiring too many wines from the region when the wines are great, so why not? Today’s selection is a delicious 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Collier Falls Vineyard and was aged 21 months in 25% new American oak barrels, 75% 3-6 year-old neutral French and American oak barrels
Wine Spies Tasting Profile:
Look – Deep and dark ruby with garnet hues and tints through its dense but clear core. Along the edges the color lightens only slightly to deep ruby red. When swirled, tightly spaced slow thin legs hang before descending to the wine below.
Smell – Deep and rich aromas of dark black and red berries blend with a touch of cherry liqueur along with cedar box and toasted oak. Soft earth, sweet spice, cocoa and fresh anise blend to provide approachable complexity.
Feel – Smooth, rich and expansive on the palate, this dry and full-bodied wine has well developed, chewy but finely grained medium tannins and balanced acidity along with a softly textured mineral mouthfeel that lasts long into the finish.
Taste – Fresh and ripe black cherry, blackberry, and other sweet dark fruit linger with cedar cigar box and toasted oak notes. Sweet spice and soft black licorice blend with dark mocha and soft earthy notes.
Finish – Long, soft and ripe dark fruit lingers over the well developed tannins and soft mineral texture as the other complex flavors gently fade leaving behind hints of fruit and toasted oak.
Conclusion – The 2008 Peterson Winery “1-2-3 Cab” Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a lovely Cab that is both sturdy and flavorful but also plush, soft and rich. Pleasant, approachable and very easy to drink. Pair this fun wine with anything from simple burgers, pasta with meat sauce or anywhere a softer Cabernet suits your palate. Enjoy this wine tonight or cellar for up to five years to see how it evolves.
Mission Report:
_With the 2011 harvest underway, we were unable to enjoy our usual sit-down with Jamie Peterson. Tune in, next time we show another fantastic Peterson Winery wine, and we’ll be sure to present you with a complete interview.
WINEMAKER INTEL BRIEFING DOSSIER
SUBJECT: Jamie Peterson
DATE OF BIRTH: March 20, 1981
PLACE OF BIRTH: Saratoga, CA (Mt. Eden Vineyards)
WINE EDUCATION: Ongoing, on-the-job. UC Davis Extension chemistry/lab analysis/viticulture classes.
CALIFORNIA WINE JOB BRIEF: Grew up in Peterson Winery, helping with odd jobs in the winery and vineyard as a teenager. Worked first harvest at 19, and then traveled to Australia and New Zealand to work harvest in 2001. took over as Assistant Winemaker at Peterson Winery in 2002. Given full Winemaker responsibility in 2006. 13 harvests under the belt at age 29.
WINEMAKING PHILOSOPHY: “Zero Manipulation”/Minimal intervention, letting the vineyard and vintage show through in each bottling. No fining, no filtration. Minimal new oak usage, minimal additions and SO2 use.
SIGNATURE VARIETAL: Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel (but his Syrah is amazing)
WINEMAKER QUOTE: ”If it ain’t got the root, it ain’t got the fruit.”
FIRST COMMERCIAL WINE RELEASE: For Peterson Winery- 1991. For Jamie- 2002 Vintage, released in 2004
Wine Spies Vineyard Check:
The location of the Peterson Winery can be seen in this satellite photo.
