Have you ever been in the mood for a red wine, but did not want a big red like a Cabernet Sauvignon or a Syrah, but also did not want something light and complex like a Pinot Noir? Well I am in one of those moods. I have a nice CAO cigar calling my name, and it is about 75 degrees outside with a big bright moon asking for some company. I did a quick once through my small wine cellar and nothing caught my eye at first, then I almost reached for a Zinfandel, but I was not in the mood for the spice either, it might conflict with the cigar. Then I saw it, almost at the bottom of my little wine rack - a bottle of Perry Creek 2005 Primitivo.
From what I remembered, I really liked this wine. So out came the cork. I cut the end off of my CAO and put it in my mouth as I poured the first splash of Primitivo into my glass. I wish my wife was still up, but now that she is teaching, she is wiped out when she gets home, so I'll have to enjoy this bottle by myself! I have to tell you how amazing the nose of this wine is. I get bright red fruit, and some butter toffee and vanilla, which must have come from the time in the barrel. The color is about the same as a Zinfandel, ruby red, but not so deep you can't see through it. I take a sip and instantly remember why I loved this wine. It is slightly fruity, but the buttery smoothness comes through in a well balanced, slightly tart way. It is not a high tannin wine, and it has enough acidity to be able to pair well with something rich and fatty! Now I am wishing I had a slab of prime rib I could devour with a glass of this wine! Oh well, I think my cigar will do just fine.
One note about Primitivo. Depending on who you talk to, it is either exactly the same DNA as Zinfandel, or it is a cousin. It is very similar, but this Primitivo lacks the spicy and jammy character of the Zinfandel. To me it is a more refined wine, and of course that could be due to the wine maker's stylistic approach to this Primitivo. The major difference is that foods are not normally easy to pair with a spicy, jammy zinfandel, but this Perry Creek 2005 Primitivo could easily pair with meats or pastas. You cannot get this wine anywhere except the tasting room, which just happens to have a great Picnic area, so bring some food if you visit!
One final note about Perry Creek. It changed owners a couple of years back, and there is a new wine making team. If you have not visited Perry Creek in a few years, you are really missing some exciting wines. They are not just about Zinman anymore, although he can still be found dancing on the shelves at the winery!
Cheers!
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