Ravenswood Zinfandel Sonoma County 2012

This blend is rich, yet soft, with complexity, and a spicy, ripe raspberry aroma. With flavors of black cherries, mint and vanilla, this Zinfandel has a sturdy and slightly astrigent finish.

A zin that America loves, the Ravenswood Vintners Blend Zinfandel drinks easily and exhibits excellent ripe raspberry flavors; soft on the palate and easy on the pocketbook.

Joel Peterson, who many consider to be one of California's most talented Winemakers, founded Ravenswood with the idea of making bold wines with rich flavors. His famous logo with the "Don't" symbol over the words "Wimpy Wines" tells the story. And from his single vineyard wines to his AVA wines down to his Vintner's Blend series the mission is clear; big flavor, ripe forward fruit and lush appeal. This Zin is sourced from old vine vineyards with low yields and densely concentrated berries. It makes carrying out the Ravenswood mission all that much easier. This 2010 was aged 12 months in French oak barrels. It's zesty and bright with lush berry notes, lively spice and good balancing acidity. A steal at this price.

VITAL STATS• Robust, mouthwatering, spicy• What a true Zin is meant to be• Ripe raspberry, cherry, blueberryWHAT YOU'RE IN FORNot a poser Zin, but a real one. Big, bold, unapologetic. This 2010 rendition leads the charge with tantalizing aromas of black cherry, raspberries, and blueberries along with hints of oak. It then gets really serious with a cascade of fruit flavors, oh-so-flexible tannins, and a long, fruit-forward finish you're not going to forget very easily.FOOD MATCHUPSA mega plate of red-sauce pasta or barbecued pork ribs - WineryJUST THE FACTSWhere It's From: CaliforniaAging: 12 months in 100% French Oak, 25% newSkin Contact: 10-15 daysTotal Acidity: 5.7g/LpH: 3.77Alcohol: 13.5%

Every year, Ravenswood winemaker Joel Peterson finds small lots of well-made Zinfandel, which he combines with some of his own juice to produce Vintner's Blend. The wine has spice, ripe raspberry aroma and flavors of black cherry, mint and vanilla and finishes crisp and clean. Enjoy its spicy, bright fruit with chili or grilled hamburgers.

Medium red. Fresh redcurrant and strawberry aromas are lightly kissed by smoky herbs. Silky and fine, with bright red fruit and herb flavors, smooth tannins and a persistent raspberry note on the finish. Pretty impressive for the money, and there are 6 million bottles of this. Irsquo;ve bought this at gas stations! Peterson notes that it was fermented completely with native yeasts.

Each year winemaker Joel Peterson combs the countryside to seek wineries with small lots of well-made Zinfandel, which are blended with some of Ravenswoodrsquo;s Zinfandel to produce a well-structured wine with charming, youthful fruit. The wine has spicy, ripe raspberry aromas and flavors of black cherry, mint and vanilla. It finishes crisp and clean.