Rich and bold with black fruit aromas and flavors, this complex wine has wonderful notes of tangy plums, dark chocolate, minerals, and spice. It’s nicely balanced by sweet blackberries notes, which linger long on the finish. It’s aged in 15 percent new American oak, which adds a touch of vanilla. It’s fabulous alone and a good choice for an array of grilled foods, like smoky baby back ribs in a sweet and tangy sauce, a ribeye steak, or chicken braised in Zinfandel (coq au vin). A very good buy at only $18 retail, available at saucelitocanyon.com, or the tasting room on Biddle Ranch Road in Edna Valley.
This article appears in Apr 2-9, 2009.
