*Samples Received
All sorts of excitement when Robert Larsen owner of the highly regarded pr firm The Larsen Projekt came calling asking ( I keep telling him don't ask just tell me you're going to do this lol) if I would be interested in joining a tweet up featuring Pedroncelli Wines 90th Celebration and a dish (Parmesan Polenta with Sausage Ragu) paired with their Mother Clone Zinfandel. For those who know me you 1. Know I love to cook and 2. Drink wine with just about any dish. I would be honored was my answer but all of you knew that already from the title of the post.
The Pedroncelli Family has been growing grapes in the Dry Creek Valley since 1927 and making wine since 1934. Over the years the acres expanded with additional purchased land which then led to expanded winery operations and a creation of varietals that everyone could enjoy. Today it's still a family winery with 2nd and 3rd and now 4th Generation family members working side by side to ensure the best possible wine is produced and the family legacy lives on.
The family farms 105 acres of vineyards in Dry Creek Valley and then has sought out growers in their region for additional grapes. These vineyards also share the Pedroncelli beliefs that the grapes need to be "perfectly balanced and varietally correct." Wines are created to be shared with friends and family as well paired with your favorite dish. What I really enjoy in these wines is the versatility of sipping for enjoyment or paired with food the results are dead even....so good.
First wine while cooking was the 2015 Chardonnay Sonoma County Dry Creek Valley. The grapes were sourced from 3 vineyards in the southern end of Dry Creek Valley and picking was completed over 10 days. 89% of the wine was fermented in stainless steel highlighting the fruit flavors while the remainder in American oak for 6 months and then blended giving the wine it's creamy character. The nose is refreshing with tangerine, lemon, hints of peach and a refreshing floral note. The citrus fills my mouth followed by tart apple, peach, juicy lemon and a hint of tropical fruit. Crisp, clean and your glass begs to be refilled. Lovely chardonnay.
Second wine was the 2014 Mother Clone Zinfandel Sonoma County Dry Creek Valley along with our signature dish Parmesan Polenta with Sausage Ragu. The original Zinfandel vines are located on the hills surrounding the winery which is part of the property originally purchased in 1927 by John Sr. Some of the grapes used were from these 100 yr old vines with other fruit harvested from Home Ranch, Bushnell and Buchignani Vineyards. The wine is aged 12 months in American oak with a touch of petite sirah added for color and structure. Loads of dark fruit on the nose with plum, blackberry and blueberry with hints of baking spice and wild violets. The mouth is is all about the fruit and spice with blackberry, blueberry and plum with a pepper spice and a touch of smoke and vanilla. Opened nicely the longer it sat in the glass. When paired with the dish the fruit was pulled from the wine and the spice and alcohol were absent. Outstanding!
The final wine of the evening the 2014 Petite Sirah Sonoma County Dry Creek Valley. Some of the grapes were harvested from vines planted on the property in the 1900's with the remainder harvested from the Bushnell Vineyard. The fruit was crushed in stainless steel with multiple pump overs to enhance the flavor of the wine. Aged for 12 months in new oak (about 1/3) with the remaining in seasoned barrels. Zinfandel was also added for enhancing the fruit in this wine. The nose was full of plum, toasty oak and vanilla with hints of pepper. The mouth was robust with blackberry and plum followed by a pepper spice. Dark chocolate and mocha notes compliment a long warm finish. I also paired this with the dish and it worked equally well.
If your in the Dry Creek Valley swing by their Tasting Room for a taste and a bit of history. Want to see what others talked about Thursday then check out the tweet up using hash tag #Ped90th. Julie, Ed and Robert thank you for including me in this tasting and getting to know more about Pedroncelli Wines. More of these fine recipes too please!
Cheers
Dan
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