Fragrant with pretty cranberry, raspberry, and boysenberry aromas and flavors, it’s nicely balanced with minerals, spice, and smoky notes. Its luscious fruit flavors linger long on the finish. This delicious wine is quite balanced, which belies its high alcohol at 15 percent. I love this variety with gamy dishes like lamb, quail, or pheasant, and it would pair just as nicely with a rich rib-eye steak. Available only at the tasting room on Foxen Canyon Road or online at HYPERLINK “http://www.zacamesa.com” zacamesa.com under winery exclusives, it’s $32 retail.
This article appears in Feb 19-26, 2009.