2020 Peterson Malbec, Bradford Mountain Estate Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley
Tasting Notes
Concentrated aromas of red and black berries and plum mingle with traces of cigar box and oak. The lively yet velvety smooth entry offers ripe mulberry, spiced plum, and boysenberry. Traces of floral notes, leather, black pepper, minerality, and dark chocolate-covered espresso bean merge with the luscious fruit essence as rich spicy flavors linger in the finish. An integrated structure and layers of flavors create a robust yet elegant wine with balanced complexity and charm.
Try a pairing of filet mignon with béarnaise and a side of roasted fingerling potatoes, or pork tenderloin stuffed with chimichurri served with a brown rice pilaf.
Jamie Peterson’s Vintaged Views & Vineyard Notes
We planted our Malbec block in 2008, with very little prior experience growing or making it. The couple of hundred vines that grow alongside the Cabernet Franc and Merlot on our Bradford Mountain Estate Vineyard were planted to produce just enough wine to be a blending component in our Bordeaux varietal blends.
Some years, like 2020, the vines produce an abundance of juicy, ripe, deep purple berries, and we’re blessed with the opportunity to produce a varietal bottling of Malbec. This limited production palate pleaser is one of our Wine Club-only wines.
Specs
Composition: 100% Malbec
Vineyard: Bradford Mountain Estate Vineyard
Appellation: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
Harvest Date: September 22, 2020
Alcohol: 14.8%
pH: 3.45
TA: 0.63g/100ml
Barrel Aging: 25 months
Cooperage: 33% new French oak barrels, 67% 3-year-old French oak barrels
Bottling Date: December 7, 2022 (unfined & unfiltered)
2019 Peterson Petit Verdot, Bradford Mountain Estate Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley
Tasting Notes
An easy sipping wine isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you open a Petit Verdot, but once you try this one, you might change your mind. Rich, enticing aromatics of vine-ripened brambly blackberry mingle with cedar spices and oak notes. A fresh, vibrant entry offers focused flavors of mulberry, boysenberry, and black cherry woven with hints of sage, violet, and black licorice. A solid structure seamlessly supports this intense, delicious wine even as it lingers on the palate. If opened before 2025, give the wine some breathing space to allow its beauty to shine through.
Best to pair with heartier fare like a chateaubriand drizzled with a rich brown reduction sauce and a side of béarnaise, or grilled wild boar tenderloin served with cavatelli, Gorgonzola, and cherry tomatoes.
Fred Peterson’s Vintaged Views
In 1983, when we began planting the Bradford Mountain Vineyard, I sourced Merlot and Cabernet Franc budwood from Newton Vineyard in the Napa Valley. John Kongsgaard, the winemaker/manager of Newton Vineyard, is a friend and former classmate of mine from UC Davis. When I arrived at the vineyard to make the cuttings, John mentioned that I might be interested in taking some Petit Verdot cuttings. He felt that it was an important component of their Bordeaux blends and might do well on Bradford Mountain. I cut enough Petit Verdot budwood to graft half of an acre of the rootstock we had planted in the spring.
I subsequently learned that this Petit Verdot selection could be traced back to the Jackson Field Station in the Sierra Nevada foothills. This demonstration vineyard was planted in the 1880s by Henry Hilgaard, the founder and first professor of the Department of Viticulture and Enology, at University of California.
While always an important part of our Cabernet Sauvignon and Agraria blends, we never thought it would be bottled as a varietal wine. In 2010, Jamie put together a blend that showcased the savage qualities of both the variety and the Bradford Mountain terroir. The 2019 vintage was another vintage with the perfect growing season to fully ripen Petit Verdot, providing all of the classic characteristics.
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, KY, LA, ME, MA, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OR, RI, SC, TX, VT, WA, WV, WI, WY
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
Peterson Malbec & Petit Verdot - $55 = 21.56%
Bradford Mountain Malbec! My favorite vineyard for Zins from Sonoma County. Didn’t know Malbec was planted there
Color depth is deep
Color hue between purplish and ruby though closer to purple
Aroma: youthful aromas of boysenberry, sticks/twigs. My wife noted it smells bright and fresh
Bone dry with a surprising light to medium body given its color
Fresh acidity with low tannins and perfect balance
Taste: boysenberry, nutmeg, black tea, bergamot with some rose and leather. A light rubbery smell came through on day 2. But in a good way. Reminds me of Black Bulgari cologne if anyone remembers it
Overall a well made wine with nice acidity and brightness that would pair well with grilled meats and burgers I’m still surprised how the taste doesn’t quite match the purple color of the wine
Quite enjoyed it and wife guessed $45 winery price while I pegged it at $32
Both agreed under $20 a good buy. Jo brainer at the case price if the PV delivers
Note: my notes are always blind, I.e. never look up a wine nor read Casemates notes or price before posting
Someone that has a favorite flavor of crayon complained that I used too many words the last time I ratted and they suggested I give a “tits” or “ass” rating. So for them, assuming “ass” is bad, I give this a rating of : tits.
I don’t know if a conversion chart exists for that so… moving on…
Labrat checking in.
Peterson 2020 Malbec. Bradford Mountain Vineyard.
Nose: Berry. Velvet oak. Pepper.
Look: Inky dark ruby. Darker than my crappy pic- sorry. There’s a thin layer of wine in it.
Taste: Blackberries, plum, cedar, leather. Complex. Enough tanins to say high to your jaw, but very approachable.
Lush pepper lingers on the finish. Very well balanced.
I consider this a perfect wine for “in between” a Bordeaux Cab and a Merlot. Comforting and bold at the same time.
My cellar is full, and I still told myself if this was less than $20/bottle, I’d get it. If you want a Malbec that elevates above just being a great value, I suggest this one.
Also, you can take the letters “Peterson Malbec” and rearrange them to spell out “Cab Sleep Mentor”. Do with that what you will.
@ecue
Tasting notes for an 8 count Crayola box:
Red:
A vibrant, bold flavor with a burst of ripe cherry and pomegranate, laced with a hint of spicy red pepper. The finish is warm and lingering, like a summer sunset, with a subtle tartness reminiscent of fresh cranberries. Pairs well with adventurous moments.
Blue:
Crisp and serene, this hue offers a cool, refreshing taste of wild blueberry and icy mint, with undertones of ocean mist. Its smooth texture glides across the palate, leaving a tranquil, slightly mineral finish, evoking a clear sky at dusk.Green:
A verdant, earthy sip, brimming with freshly cut grass, lime zest, and green apple. Subtle notes of forest moss and herbaceous basil emerge, balanced by a crisp, clean finish that feels like a walk through a dew-kissed meadow.
Yellow:
Bright and effervescent, this color bursts with zesty lemon curd and golden honey, accented by a touch of sunny grapefruit. Its lively, creamy texture dances on the tongue, leaving a warm, optimistic glow with a hint of vanilla blossom.
Orange:
A juicy, exuberant flavor of ripe tangerine and mango, with a spicy kick of candied ginger. This vibrant hue delivers a smooth, citrusy warmth, finishing with a playful tang reminiscent of a sun-soaked orchard in full bloom.
Purple:
Rich and regal, this color unfolds with deep notes of blackberry jam and Concord grape, layered with a velvety hint of lavender. Its luxurious, slightly sweet finish lingers like a twilight stroll through a vineyard, with a whisper of plum.
Brown:
Warm and grounding, this shade offers robust flavors of toasted hazelnut, dark chocolate, and caramelized fig. A subtle undercurrent of espresso bean adds depth, with a smooth, earthy finish that feels like cozy autumn evenings.
Black:
Mysterious and intense, this color delivers a bold blend of black licorice, smoked charcoal, and midnight plum. Its complex, velvety texture coats the palate, leaving a smoky, enigmatic finish with a touch of star-anise intrigue.
Was traveling this week, got the email. Bottle arrived while I was on an airplane. Thanks to the WCC crew for sending me something fun and interesting!
Busy week, so I haven’t had the time yet to give it a full hearing - just a single small pop/pour glass before going to see The Who, with The Offspring as an opener. Too bad I couldn’t take the wine with me to the show!
Leaky cork - presumably from it being in a UPS truck and warm. Single bottles just don’t have enough thermal mass to withstand any heat, even when in styro.
Lots of sludge in the cork. Ring of tartrate around the bottle of the neck. On first pour there’s no obvious suggestion that the contents were compromised by the heat/leak.
Colour is about what you’d expect from a 6 year old PV - dark but not opaque, red-purple, looks fairly youthful. Initial aromas took a few minutes to coalesce, but I’m getting the violet, black pepper, and blackberry I might expect from a wine like this. Flavours are a touch on the sharp side with hints of the fruit but a rather sour finish that I’ve never experienced before. This does make me wonder if the wine was compromised by whatever caused the leaky cork. When I can see past this issue, I note some nondistinct herbal character, citrus, hints of currant, and something else I can’t quite put my finger on. Finish remains citrus-sour for the first fifteen minutes or so.
Report update! Since I could only have a small taste last night before running out, about 95% of the bottle has been sitting recorked on the counter for about 20 hours.
On reopening the aromas took a couple minutes to sort themselves out, as is common. Aromas are similar to yesterday, with black pepper, herbs, violets, and some bramble fruit. Hints of alcohol, too, which wasn’t there yesterday. But I largely agree with the other rat that by the aromas this is fairly open for business.
Tasting again, and the odd thing on the finish hasn’t gone away, unfortunately, although it has diminished in intensity. There’s more of an herbal component this time, too, and less citrus. This may be righting itself - albeit slowly given it’s had limited oxygen exposure.
Tannins are minimal, especially given this is a PV. Some astringency on the finish, but the amount that would go well with some food and not to the levels of a brash young PS. The acidity is also nice and bright rather than overwhelming and makes my mouth water.
More updates coming later and probably tomorrow as I sample this bit by bit.
@rjquillin Room temp at all times when tasting and in between. I was in Boston when this arrived and it stayed in its styro until late that night. No idea how hot it actually was on arrival.
Peterson 2019 Petit Verdot: What a difference a year makes. When we opened our rat shipment our immediate response was, “gee that looks familiar.” Not only have we had this wine, we actually did a lab rat report on this the 2019 PV August 14th, 2024. our conclusion last year was that this wine needed to age a bit, was unpleasant upon first opening, but over the course of 48 hours it blossomed into an absolutely delicious treat. Well a year of aging in the bottle appears to have done the trick. This arrived during a very hectic week for us. Instead of planning and preparing a dinner specifically for our rat bottle, we grabbed some food truck cheese burgers. On pop-n-pour we were struck by how ready this wine was to drink, no breathing room needed here. Cork was in great shape, no notable sediment either on the cork or in the bottle. This PV has a beautiful burgandy color and and legs that would make a 1940s pin-up girl jealous. On the nose there are notes of dark fruits and a slight earthiness. We were greeted with a rich mouth feel and absolutely delightful tannins. The tannins were subtle with no pucker effect, but clearly a dominant characteristic of this wine. Brambly fruits with hints of dark cherry, cocoa, minerality, just a touch of eucalyptus, and a mushroomy/forest floor note. This PV has significant acidity which made for a perfect pairing for a good greasy burger. We both absolutely loved this wine and were amazed at how it now tastes fantastic upon opening when last year it took a full 2 days to open up to this level of deliciousness. We corked and chilled the last 1/3 of the bottle for the next day. On the second day there was no appreciable difference. We have been fans of Peterson wines for many years, and this 2019 Petite Verdot is a delight. At the price offered, it is a no brainer. I have to think the other PV rat received a compromised bottle as they suspected. We apologize for the late rat report. We hosted an International Talk Like a Pirate Day party last night and the grog got in the way of our typical midnight post.
Harvest 2025 (finally) started for us today. 5 tons of our 3V white blend (when we expected more like 3.5 tons…), as well as a little Cab Franc and our Syrah block. Couple that with a busy Saturday in the tasting room, and the power going out in Dry Creek between 3pm and 6pm, made for a long day. Social media post hopefully to follow soon.
Thanks to the folks for the nice Rattages! A couple of the less often seen Bordeaux critters here, and their slightly rustic and edgy characters are on display.
Happy to answer any questions or thoughts here on the last day of the sale.
@PetersonWinery@rjquillin I think it was either flawed from the get go or damaged in transit. The aromatics are right on but something is off on the finish. It was starting to oxidize today rather than continue to improve. So it goes sometimes!
@rjquillin sounds like it took some heat damage in transit its a higher acid/lower tannin example of the varietal compared to others, but the sour and weird flavors and leaking cork make me think it is off. Should be good for a while and really only improve the second day of being open. Tricky time of year with some areas on some days being ok for shipping, and other still just too darn hot…
@PetersonWinery@rjquillin Yeah, that was my conclusion. The lab rat bottles ship as singles, so they don’t have much ability to sit in a hot truck for even half a day. Bummer, because I could really tell there was a tonne of potential there! The aromatics were excellent, too! Win some, lose some, I suppose.
Unofficial Rat here - Opened a bottle of the 2019 PV last night. Very good, high quality wine from an excellent family owned and operated producer. Recently had a 2012 PV from Peterson and the extra time in the cellar will only make this wine better. If you are on the fence you won’t be disappointed. Well done Jamie and team!
2020 Peterson Malbec, Bradford Mountain Estate Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley
Tasting Notes
Jamie Peterson’s Vintaged Views & Vineyard Notes
Specs
2019 Peterson Petit Verdot, Bradford Mountain Estate Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley
Tasting Notes
Fred Peterson’s Vintaged Views
Specs
What’s Included
4-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
$480.00/Case for 6x 2019 Peterson Petit Verdot, Bradford Mountain Estate Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County + 6x 2020 Peterson Malbec, Bradford Mountain Estate Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County at Peterson Winery
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KY, LA, ME, MA, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OR, RI, SC, TX, VT, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Oct 13 - Wednesday, Oct 15
Peterson Malbec & Petit Verdot
4 bottles for $84.99 $21.25/bottle + $2/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $199.99 $16.67/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2020 Peterson Malbec
2019 Peterson Petit Verdot
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
Peterson Malbec & Petit Verdot - $55 = 21.56%
Peterson is always an autobuy
Bradford Mountain Malbec! My favorite vineyard for Zins from Sonoma County. Didn’t know Malbec was planted there
Color depth is deep
Color hue between purplish and ruby though closer to purple
Aroma: youthful aromas of boysenberry, sticks/twigs. My wife noted it smells bright and fresh
Bone dry with a surprising light to medium body given its color
Fresh acidity with low tannins and perfect balance
Taste: boysenberry, nutmeg, black tea, bergamot with some rose and leather. A light rubbery smell came through on day 2. But in a good way. Reminds me of Black Bulgari cologne if anyone remembers it
Overall a well made wine with nice acidity and brightness that would pair well with grilled meats and burgers I’m still surprised how the taste doesn’t quite match the purple color of the wine
Quite enjoyed it and wife guessed $45 winery price while I pegged it at $32
Both agreed under $20 a good buy. Jo brainer at the case price if the PV delivers
Note: my notes are always blind, I.e. never look up a wine nor read Casemates notes or price before posting
Someone that has a favorite flavor of crayon complained that I used too many words the last time I ratted and they suggested I give a “tits” or “ass” rating. So for them, assuming “ass” is bad, I give this a rating of : tits.
I don’t know if a conversion chart exists for that so… moving on…
Labrat checking in.
Peterson 2020 Malbec. Bradford Mountain Vineyard.
Nose: Berry. Velvet oak. Pepper.
Look: Inky dark ruby. Darker than my crappy pic- sorry. There’s a thin layer of wine in it.
Taste: Blackberries, plum, cedar, leather. Complex. Enough tanins to say high to your jaw, but very approachable.
Lush pepper lingers on the finish. Very well balanced.
I consider this a perfect wine for “in between” a Bordeaux Cab and a Merlot. Comforting and bold at the same time.
My cellar is full, and I still told myself if this was less than $20/bottle, I’d get it. If you want a Malbec that elevates above just being a great value, I suggest this one.
Also, you can take the letters “Peterson Malbec” and rearrange them to spell out “Cab Sleep Mentor”. Do with that what you will.
@ecue I think you mean “Sleep Cab Mentor”, who is a trucker explaining to the new guy just how the bunk folds out.
@ecue
Tasting notes for an 8 count Crayola box:
Red:
A vibrant, bold flavor with a burst of ripe cherry and pomegranate, laced with a hint of spicy red pepper. The finish is warm and lingering, like a summer sunset, with a subtle tartness reminiscent of fresh cranberries. Pairs well with adventurous moments.
Blue:
Crisp and serene, this hue offers a cool, refreshing taste of wild blueberry and icy mint, with undertones of ocean mist. Its smooth texture glides across the palate, leaving a tranquil, slightly mineral finish, evoking a clear sky at dusk.Green:
A verdant, earthy sip, brimming with freshly cut grass, lime zest, and green apple. Subtle notes of forest moss and herbaceous basil emerge, balanced by a crisp, clean finish that feels like a walk through a dew-kissed meadow.
Yellow:
Bright and effervescent, this color bursts with zesty lemon curd and golden honey, accented by a touch of sunny grapefruit. Its lively, creamy texture dances on the tongue, leaving a warm, optimistic glow with a hint of vanilla blossom.
Orange:
A juicy, exuberant flavor of ripe tangerine and mango, with a spicy kick of candied ginger. This vibrant hue delivers a smooth, citrusy warmth, finishing with a playful tang reminiscent of a sun-soaked orchard in full bloom.
Purple:
Rich and regal, this color unfolds with deep notes of blackberry jam and Concord grape, layered with a velvety hint of lavender. Its luxurious, slightly sweet finish lingers like a twilight stroll through a vineyard, with a whisper of plum.
Brown:
Warm and grounding, this shade offers robust flavors of toasted hazelnut, dark chocolate, and caramelized fig. A subtle undercurrent of espresso bean adds depth, with a smooth, earthy finish that feels like cozy autumn evenings.
Black:
Mysterious and intense, this color delivers a bold blend of black licorice, smoked charcoal, and midnight plum. Its complex, velvety texture coats the palate, leaving a smoky, enigmatic finish with a touch of star-anise intrigue.
@digerifoo2 @ecue In for a case!
@ecue Would it be ok if we used your rating system on our website from now on?
2019 Peterson Petit Verdot, Bradford Mountain
Was traveling this week, got the email. Bottle arrived while I was on an airplane. Thanks to the WCC crew for sending me something fun and interesting!
Busy week, so I haven’t had the time yet to give it a full hearing - just a single small pop/pour glass before going to see The Who, with The Offspring as an opener. Too bad I couldn’t take the wine with me to the show!
Leaky cork - presumably from it being in a UPS truck and warm. Single bottles just don’t have enough thermal mass to withstand any heat, even when in styro.
Lots of sludge in the cork. Ring of tartrate around the bottle of the neck. On first pour there’s no obvious suggestion that the contents were compromised by the heat/leak.
Colour is about what you’d expect from a 6 year old PV - dark but not opaque, red-purple, looks fairly youthful. Initial aromas took a few minutes to coalesce, but I’m getting the violet, black pepper, and blackberry I might expect from a wine like this. Flavours are a touch on the sharp side with hints of the fruit but a rather sour finish that I’ve never experienced before. This does make me wonder if the wine was compromised by whatever caused the leaky cork. When I can see past this issue, I note some nondistinct herbal character, citrus, hints of currant, and something else I can’t quite put my finger on. Finish remains citrus-sour for the first fifteen minutes or so.
@rjquillin this needs a banner! I forgot late last night…
Report update! Since I could only have a small taste last night before running out, about 95% of the bottle has been sitting recorked on the counter for about 20 hours.
On reopening the aromas took a couple minutes to sort themselves out, as is common. Aromas are similar to yesterday, with black pepper, herbs, violets, and some bramble fruit. Hints of alcohol, too, which wasn’t there yesterday. But I largely agree with the other rat that by the aromas this is fairly open for business.
Tasting again, and the odd thing on the finish hasn’t gone away, unfortunately, although it has diminished in intensity. There’s more of an herbal component this time, too, and less citrus. This may be righting itself - albeit slowly given it’s had limited oxygen exposure.
Tannins are minimal, especially given this is a PV. Some astringency on the finish, but the amount that would go well with some food and not to the levels of a brash young PS. The acidity is also nice and bright rather than overwhelming and makes my mouth water.
More updates coming later and probably tomorrow as I sample this bit by bit.
@klezman oops. I did the banner, but forgot to save when I was doing the highlight.
@klezman Was this at room temp this time around?
@rjquillin Room temp at all times when tasting and in between. I was in Boston when this arrived and it stayed in its styro until late that night. No idea how hot it actually was on arrival.
Anyone in SF or nearby Bay Area interested in a split (6/6)? I am a fan of Peterson but don’t need a full case.
Peterson 2019 Petit Verdot: What a difference a year makes. When we opened our rat shipment our immediate response was, “gee that looks familiar.” Not only have we had this wine, we actually did a lab rat report on this the 2019 PV August 14th, 2024. our conclusion last year was that this wine needed to age a bit, was unpleasant upon first opening, but over the course of 48 hours it blossomed into an absolutely delicious treat. Well a year of aging in the bottle appears to have done the trick. This arrived during a very hectic week for us. Instead of planning and preparing a dinner specifically for our rat bottle, we grabbed some food truck cheese burgers. On pop-n-pour we were struck by how ready this wine was to drink, no breathing room needed here. Cork was in great shape, no notable sediment either on the cork or in the bottle. This PV has a beautiful burgandy color and and legs that would make a 1940s pin-up girl jealous. On the nose there are notes of dark fruits and a slight earthiness. We were greeted with a rich mouth feel and absolutely delightful tannins. The tannins were subtle with no pucker effect, but clearly a dominant characteristic of this wine. Brambly fruits with hints of dark cherry, cocoa, minerality, just a touch of eucalyptus, and a mushroomy/forest floor note. This PV has significant acidity which made for a perfect pairing for a good greasy burger. We both absolutely loved this wine and were amazed at how it now tastes fantastic upon opening when last year it took a full 2 days to open up to this level of deliciousness. We corked and chilled the last 1/3 of the bottle for the next day. On the second day there was no appreciable difference. We have been fans of Peterson wines for many years, and this 2019 Petite Verdot is a delight. At the price offered, it is a no brainer. I have to think the other PV rat received a compromised bottle as they suspected. We apologize for the late rat report. We hosted an International Talk Like a Pirate Day party last night and the grog got in the way of our typical midnight post.
Oh my goodness I’m late to the party.
Harvest 2025 (finally) started for us today. 5 tons of our 3V white blend (when we expected more like 3.5 tons…), as well as a little Cab Franc and our Syrah block. Couple that with a busy Saturday in the tasting room, and the power going out in Dry Creek between 3pm and 6pm, made for a long day. Social media post hopefully to follow soon.
Thanks to the folks for the nice Rattages! A couple of the less often seen Bordeaux critters here, and their slightly rustic and edgy characters are on display.
Happy to answer any questions or thoughts here on the last day of the sale.
@PetersonWinery
Favorite flavor of crayon?
@PetersonWinery
Thanks for again making time for us.
up-thread a few posts, klezman commented
about the rat bottle he received that was warm and with a leaky cork and questioned heat during transit.
Any thoughts?
@PetersonWinery @rjquillin I think it was either flawed from the get go or damaged in transit. The aromatics are right on but something is off on the finish. It was starting to oxidize today rather than continue to improve. So it goes sometimes!
@rjquillin sounds like it took some heat damage in transit
its a higher acid/lower tannin example of the varietal compared to others, but the sour and weird flavors and leaking cork make me think it is off. Should be good for a while and really only improve the second day of being open. Tricky time of year with some areas on some days being ok for shipping, and other still just too darn hot…
@digerifoo2 if I had to choose, a nice burnt orange or goldenrod usually hits the spot…
@PetersonWinery @rjquillin Yeah, that was my conclusion. The lab rat bottles ship as singles, so they don’t have much ability to sit in a hot truck for even half a day. Bummer, because I could really tell there was a tonne of potential there! The aromatics were excellent, too! Win some, lose some, I suppose.
Anyone near Philly but not in PA that is interested in a split?
Zero room for this, but if anyone in CMH wanted to order a case and split with me I’d be interested
I love Peterson, and I love petit verdot, so it’s a case for me.
Unofficial Rat here - Opened a bottle of the 2019 PV last night. Very good, high quality wine from an excellent family owned and operated producer. Recently had a 2012 PV from Peterson and the extra time in the cellar will only make this wine better. If you are on the fence you won’t be disappointed. Well done Jamie and team!