2021 Peterson Zero Manipulation, Tollini Vineyard, Mendocino
Tasting Notes
This Rhône blend is both serious and playful, starting with dark-toned aromas of black raspberry and dried strawberry layered with subtle baking spices, kid leather, and sage. Bright, fruit-forward flavors fill the palate with blackberry, blueberry, strawberry, and raspberry, along with just a hint of orange citrus appearing late. The fresh flavors carry an undertone of brown spices, black pepper, and just a trace of earthy molasses. Lively acidity and integrated oak provide the perfect framework for this easy-sipping, medium-bodied wine.
An easy wine to match up with carne asada tacos, barbecue chicken pizza, bacon cheeseburgers, and so much more.
Jamie Peterson’s Vintaged View
Our Zero Manipulation is blended using 100% Tollini Vineyard fruit, and is the first in our line of wines honoring this great vineyard and farmer/friend to the north. We’ve produced Zero every year since 2000 using old vine Carignane as the dominant varietal, and in 2021, it makes up 60% of the blend. From this core of spicy, zippy red fruit flavors, we’ve added layers of depth, complexity, and balance with Grenache and Syrah. Our goal in the blend is to create a wine that is a true bistro wine—tasty, food-friendly, full of soul, and almost refreshing, without ever becoming heavy. As our original t-shirt proclaimed, this wine is always “easy to use and cheap to operate.”
Zero Manipulation is the winemaking philosophy that we employ on all of our wines. Our definition of Zero Manipulation is using the gentlest winemaking techniques possible to maximize flavors, aromas, and the original essence of the grapes from the given vineyard and vintage. The less you do in the course of a wine’s tenure in the cellar, the more of the grape’s, vineyard’s, and vintage’s essence you’ll have to bottle. Every time you do something to a wine, you take out a little of what you started with. We endeavor to share with you as much of the grape’s true essence in every bottle; naturally, sustainably, and with a mind to being easy on your wallet.
Specs
Composition: 100% Tollini Vineyard
Varietal Breakdown Harvest Dates:
60% Carignane Sept. 28
33% Grenache Sept. 8
7% Syrah Sept. 15
Appellation: Redwood Valley, Mendocino County
Alcohol: 14.5%
pH: 3.35
TA: 0.72g/100ml
Barrel Aging: 21 months
Cooperage: 100% neutral oak barrels
Bottling Date: June 29, 2023 (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 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
@PetersonWinery So is this offering! We are huge Peterson fans and love this wine. Looks like we’ve gone through 2.5 cases over the years of Casemates offers…
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
2021 Peterson Zero Manipulation Red Blend - $35 = 20.58%
@Adamamesh@Burns72 there’s a lot of complexity in the legal interstate wine trade. You’ll see the Cheer on meh.com today has CT in the available states list.
@Adamamesh Unfortunately we can’t currently afford the time or cost for the license… The requirements for reporting, and registering each wine label, we havent been able to make it happen for consumers. We used to ship under the radar but got a nasty letter from the state so stopped… many of our club members ship to someone in NY…
This wine is a pleasure to taste and report on. For starters, it is a lovely ruby color and has a very clean aroma with overtones of red fruits that finish with just a bit of baking spices. It has good acidity, moderate tannins and receives high marks for its overall drinkability. In fact, it proved remarkably easy and enjoyable to quaff, its relative lightness belying the 14.5% alcohol content. Nor did it need to breathe very long.
I’ve enjoyed many traditional Rhone blends over the years, but the words “Zero Manipulation” on the label were new to me. According to Peterson’s website, it means minimal intervention as a way to maximize the wine’s complex flavors. As a result, the wine is intended to reflect its unique terroir, in this case a single vineyard with old vines, and lacks any additives. Initially, I thought I could detect a touch of sediment as I tasted it–a byproduct of its unfiltered state–but further sips no longer suggested it. Regardless, even if detected, the sediment was not at all unpleasant, and the bottle certainly did not need decanting.
In sum, this is a delicious wine whose color and taste will perfectly complement holiday roasted meats and vegetables, particularly those with berry-based sauces or flavored with cinnamon or cumin. It would also go nicely with a range of other foods.
So excited to rat but this shipment has been hard to get. I’m heading to the UPS now, where tracking says it’s being held, and I’ll report back as soon as I get it home.
Cute bottle! I’m loving the jackalope. Got a pinot and cab glass to compare as I’m finding that tells me a lot about a wine lately. I appreciate the screw top, especially for around the holidays, bringing to a gathering, or traveling.
Nice color in the glass. Red, pinkish hue, lightish in color and body. Fun, fast swirl.
This is drinking well at pop and pour!
Cab glass: dry with some tart sweetness. definitely bright red fruits, raspberries. some cherry cola. maybe some baking spices at the end
Pinot glass: brings out the floral notes! much sweeter but makes me cough, accentuating the alcohol.
I’d prefer the cabernet glass but my husband would likely prefer the pinot glass if he were home.
This wine seems good to go for parties and is well-timed for the holiday season. My brother is bringing over some snacks so I’ll let you know how it holds up to foods! I have a feeling this would pair well with barbecue, a pizza, or a turkey. Not sure about ham- it may not be robust enough for the salt. A great tailgate, table, or week night wine. Balanced tannins and easy drinking. I’ll also try to post how it opens throughout the day!
Brother just got here! He’s a super novice but likes wine and cheese boards, so was an easy sell.
Nose: wood and cherry
First taste: “woo that’s strong” Sweet but rich. He said “is there a pencil in here?” so I’m guessing limestone or graphite. A nice minimality. He likes the aftertaste- I agree there is a decent finish.
I’m getting some plum now and definitely some nice acidity.
Having with mixed raw nuts, marionberry jam, coppa, and vintage cheddar. Is pairing so well with the cheddar and bringing out a brightness! A bit too tart with the jam. Nicely paired with pecans, cashews. Doesn’t quite hold up to the spice on the coppa.
@rjquillin I always try not to. Just looking now and the case is a good deal! I already got the meh deal but this is a crowd pleaser… had a glass tonight and it’s still easy drinking so I may grab one of these also.
Happy Monday/almost Tuesday, Casemates. A later check in than I try and do but the day kind of got away from me.
Happy to answer any other questions about the wine, the winery, random trivia, or philosophical musings if anyone is inclined.
Zero Manipulation as a motto is described up in the story, and the eponymous wines story as well… This vintage is an impeccably balanced wine, though slightly higher ABV than we might want. Dry farmed Carignane and warm climate Grenache both can retain intense acidity even at higher sugars.
Cracking open its sister wine, the Barbera, while I finish cooking this red sauce and tortellini for a late dinner. Will pop back in soon as well as tomorrow in between wax dipping our new port bottling and the usual multitasking of a winemaker
2021 Peterson Zero Manipulation, Tollini Vineyard, Mendocino
Tasting Notes
Jamie Peterson’s Vintaged View
Specs
What’s Included
6-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
Not for sale on winery website, $288/case MSRP
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, Dec 29 - Friday, Jan 2
2021 Peterson Zero Manipulation Red Blend
6 bottles for $84.99 $14.17/bottle + $1.33/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $134.99 $11.25/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
This Peterson is a favorite wine of ours. Probably have to buy a case.
Also, this year’s Cheer bottling is on Meh today. Pedroncelli cab this time, $119/case with a $12 coupon.
Cheers!
@wnance Good snag! Lots of great wine! Nice.
@wnance do it! It’s drinking great. I’m surprised it’s so affordable.
@wnance All the good wine options! Neighbors up at Pedroncelli always do a good job as well. That offering is amazing.
@PetersonWinery So is this offering! We are huge Peterson fans and love this wine. Looks like we’ve gone through 2.5 cases over the years of Casemates offers…
@jchasma Yeah, ordered a case of the Peterson, just a killer deal.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
2021 Peterson Zero Manipulation Red Blend - $35 = 20.58%
Wine is usually able to be shipped to Connecticut, why is this one not?
@Adamamesh because CT laws stink and they are trying to punish the residents that love wine. And it varies by winery.
@Burns72 having recently moved here from Pa, I can say that Ct liquor laws are exceedingly loose.
@Adamamesh @Burns72 there’s a lot of complexity in the legal interstate wine trade. You’ll see the Cheer on meh.com today has CT in the available states list.
@Adamamesh If a winery doesn’t have a current license to ship to CT, you will be SOL.
@Adamamesh Unfortunately we can’t currently afford the time or cost for the license… The requirements for reporting, and registering each wine label, we havent been able to make it happen for consumers. We used to ship under the radar but got a nasty letter from the state
so stopped… many of our club members ship to someone in NY…
@PetersonWinery Yeah, I considered shipping it to my mother’s house, but I’m afraid she might drink it before I was able to pick it up.
@Adamamesh a one or two bottle tax/fee/gift seems reasonable. If she’d keep it at only that
@PetersonWinery Oh hehe. Sure. Except she’s not supposed to have alcohol at all
This wine is a pleasure to taste and report on. For starters, it is a lovely ruby color and has a very clean aroma with overtones of red fruits that finish with just a bit of baking spices. It has good acidity, moderate tannins and receives high marks for its overall drinkability. In fact, it proved remarkably easy and enjoyable to quaff, its relative lightness belying the 14.5% alcohol content. Nor did it need to breathe very long.
I’ve enjoyed many traditional Rhone blends over the years, but the words “Zero Manipulation” on the label were new to me. According to Peterson’s website, it means minimal intervention as a way to maximize the wine’s complex flavors. As a result, the wine is intended to reflect its unique terroir, in this case a single vineyard with old vines, and lacks any additives. Initially, I thought I could detect a touch of sediment as I tasted it–a byproduct of its unfiltered state–but further sips no longer suggested it. Regardless, even if detected, the sediment was not at all unpleasant, and the bottle certainly did not need decanting.
In sum, this is a delicious wine whose color and taste will perfectly complement holiday roasted meats and vegetables, particularly those with berry-based sauces or flavored with cinnamon or cumin. It would also go nicely with a range of other foods.
@ehengen Thanks for the nice review! Glad you enjoyed it, and lots of the notes and thoughts you gave are really what are going for.
So excited to rat but this shipment has been hard to get. I’m heading to the UPS now, where tracking says it’s being held, and I’ll report back as soon as I get it home.
Just got the goods! Sent my brother a text to come try too. We’ll post real time.
Cute bottle! I’m loving the jackalope. Got a pinot and cab glass to compare as I’m finding that tells me a lot about a wine lately. I appreciate the screw top, especially for around the holidays, bringing to a gathering, or traveling.
Nice color in the glass. Red, pinkish hue, lightish in color and body. Fun, fast swirl.
This is drinking well at pop and pour!
Cab glass: dry with some tart sweetness. definitely bright red fruits, raspberries. some cherry cola. maybe some baking spices at the end
Pinot glass: brings out the floral notes! much sweeter but makes me cough, accentuating the alcohol.
I’d prefer the cabernet glass but my husband would likely prefer the pinot glass if he were home.
This wine seems good to go for parties and is well-timed for the holiday season. My brother is bringing over some snacks so I’ll let you know how it holds up to foods! I have a feeling this would pair well with barbecue, a pizza, or a turkey. Not sure about ham- it may not be robust enough for the salt. A great tailgate, table, or week night wine. Balanced tannins and easy drinking. I’ll also try to post how it opens throughout the day!
Brother just got here! He’s a super novice but likes wine and cheese boards, so was an easy sell.
Nose: wood and cherry
First taste: “woo that’s strong” Sweet but rich. He said “is there a pencil in here?” so I’m guessing limestone or graphite. A nice minimality. He likes the aftertaste- I agree there is a decent finish.
I’m getting some plum now and definitely some nice acidity.
Having with mixed raw nuts, marionberry jam, coppa, and vintage cheddar. Is pairing so well with the cheddar and bringing out a brightness! A bit too tart with the jam. Nicely paired with pecans, cashews. Doesn’t quite hold up to the spice on the coppa.
Didn’t really open up any more- was consistent from “pop” (more like unscrew) until now. I’ll try another glass later tonight and tomorrow.
For pricing: my brother guesses $21.99 and $15.99 here. I’ll say $11-13 a bottle here and $18 at the store.
@jchasma You didn’t peek?
@rjquillin I always try not to. Just looking now and the case is a good deal! I already got the meh deal but this is a crowd pleaser… had a glass tonight and it’s still easy drinking so I may grab one of these also.
@jchasma Glad you were able to persist and get the bottle! Thank you for the notes and taking the time to revisit and sharing with your brother!
Happy Monday/almost Tuesday, Casemates. A later check in than I try and do but the day kind of got away from me.
Happy to answer any other questions about the wine, the winery, random trivia, or philosophical musings if anyone is inclined.
Zero Manipulation as a motto is described up in the story, and the eponymous wines story as well… This vintage is an impeccably balanced wine, though slightly higher ABV than we might want. Dry farmed Carignane and warm climate Grenache both can retain intense acidity even at higher sugars.
Cracking open its sister wine, the Barbera, while I finish cooking this red sauce and tortellini for a late dinner. Will pop back in soon as well as tomorrow in between wax dipping our new port bottling and the usual multitasking of a winemaker
FYI, Meh has wine today, plus a $12 coupon at Casemates
@winecaseaholic That was yesterday!
@InFrom @winecaseaholic still available for sale for mehmbers
@InFrom @jaybird @winecaseaholic
Yes, that is a feature we don’t have here and is easy for us to forget.
@jaybird @rjquillin @winecaseaholic Live and learn!
Saw a Peterson Bradford Mountain Zin on a menu in London today for like £106 or something. Far better price here!
(Then again, they also had Bogle Old Vine Zin for £70)
@klezman I hope the food justified the prices.