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Valravn Zinfandel (Sonoma) 2015

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Garnet hue with aromas of sweet baked bread above the rim with loads of amazing spices wrapping a lovely package of big fruity blackberries with cigar ash, hints of milk chocolate.

Palate--a really nice dark berry front palate with a modest first impression of being a touch austere but relinquishing control with nice spicy berry flavors with a solid structure that will only become more finessed in a couple years.

Unlike some Zins, this one is made with a serious style yielding not only a delicious by-itself-quaff but a really nice food wine.  Sonoma produces the best Zins in my opinion with Rosenblum (may it rest in peace) being the former king producing over 25 different Zins from different parcels and levels of quality.  Sadly I think those days might be gone.  I consider myself an expert when it comes to Zinfandel for in over 40 years of wine study, I have had more Zins than possibly any 10 varietals combined. But I don'd find Rosenblum in my neck of the woods and the few that I have tried since they were acquired by Bronco Brands back in 2008 were lacking...

I would love to be shown to be wrong but as I say, I don't see them in my geographical locale.  At any rate, this is a really nice Zin for the price ($20) and I will be pairing it with charcoal grilled short cut steak.  So if you see this around, grab it, and raise a glass!

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