February 27, 2006

Speaking of Sangiovese

After visiting Amphora, we were off to Petersons Winery, located about 20 feet away. We could have rolled there. Peterson was hosting a luncheon for its wine club members so the vibe was a bit crazy, kind of like Costco on a Saturday except a lot happier. We managed to muscle up to a little table and get our hands on a few clean glasses for tastings with self-proclaimed Cellar Rat Alan Baker, who when he's not pouring, blogs about wine and does accompanying Podcasts, too, for NPR. Busy guy. Alan poured a bunch of wines, a select few that squeaked under the $20 mark.
First was a 2002 Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel, which my Partner In Tasting (PIT) tried and liked but I didn't taste because I wanted to go straight to the 2001 Sangiovese (yum and $15). I found this wine (100 percent Sangiovese) an elegant and pretty straight-ahead, well-crafted California Sangiovese. Here's how the winemakers describe it: Aromas of toast, ripe cherry and dried strawberries mingle with hints of dusty leather, bacon and smoke to create an alluring blend. I think I missed the toast and smoked bacon. Add a tomato and I could have had a late lunch, too. Peterson also makes a Zero Manipulation red table wine that's $12.50. It's 78% Carignane, Tollini Vineyard, Redwood Valley, Mendocino County 14% Syrah, Gravity Flow Block, Bradford Mountain, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
8% Mourvedre, Norton Ranch, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County.

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