2019 Zinfandel 'Bradford Mountain Estate Vineyard', Peterson Winery
Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States
Mountain Velvet
Deep, dark and beautifully composed, this is Zinfandel with real altitude and authority. Opulent black berries and dark cherry rise first, followed by cracked black pepper, warm spice and a rich mineral thread that gives the wine its shape and seriousness. The palate is generous and mouth-filling, but never cumbersome, with luscious dark fruit, subtle oak and a fine line of freshness running through the middle. There is plenty of power here, but it is carried with polish, finishing long, smooth and quietly seductive, with that lovely mountain-grown mix of ripeness, spice and lift.
For when: the grill is hot, the evening is cool, and the red needs proper depth without losing its balance.
Pairs with: pork chops, grilled steak, smoky barbecue, or slow-cooked beef with herbs.
If this wine were a place: a high Sonoma ridge at dusk, with warm earth, cool air and the last light catching the vines.
Peterson Winery is one of Dry Creek Valley’s thoughtful small producers, and Bradford Mountain Estate sits high above the western edge of the valley, where poorer soils, cooler nights and greater sun exposure help shape a more intense, peppery and dark-fruited style of Zinfandel. That mountain setting is the real signature here, giving the wine both concentration and freshness, and making it a particularly elegant expression of Dry Creek Valley Zin
Whats in the bottle
Zinfandel 84%, Carignan 8%, Petite Sirah 8%