Perseverance Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel

Dark purple in the glass; spicy fruit notes on the nose suggesting densely packed layers. Brightly focused sour cherry emerges as the frontrunner followed by a sharply delineated hint of baking spice and the aroma of a loamy forest floor (in a good way). Not as heavy as your 15–16% abv fruit-bomb Zins, but this is delicious nonetheless, and a fantastic value.

Ripe, forward fruit with polished tannins is the gateway to this great Zin! Plenty of plum, black cherry and spice flavors throughout your glass. Mocha latte, toasted marshmallow, sweetened cranberry and white pepper bring it all together in the end with a little brambly nuance. Serve it with roasted pork dishes, Italian sweet sausages on seeded semolina bread, standing rib roasts and braised beef ribs with a Zinfandel reduction sauce.