This friendly Zinfandel provides ripe flavors of blackberries, boysenberries, and plums that are nicely offset by notes of earth, leather, and smoke. Quite drinkable on its own, it’s much better with food. Pair it with a cheesy pepperoni pizza, a really good cheeseburger, or Santa Maria-style barbecue. Do skip tomato-based dishes, which won’t pair nicely with this ripe, fruity Zinfandel. Widely available in big groceries and chain wine shops, it’s a very good buy at $14.99 and easily found online at ravenswoodwinery.com.
This article appears in Oct 26 – Nov 2, 2012.