2007 Valley of the Moon Sonoma County Zinfandel

91 points, two stars and a "Good Value" designation from the Connoisseurs Guide to California Wine: "Very nicely focused blackberry fruit filled out by notes of sweet spice and hints of blueberry pie start this full-bodied, balanced offering out in the right direction, and its somewhat fleshy, full and rich flavors keep it going. It is relatively open for a wine of the vintage, and while it can certainly benefit from a few years of bottle aging, it does not demand it. Tasty and versatile, it will be equally at home with pastas and with pork roasts." (02/10) And from the Wine Enthusiast: "A nice, smooth, rich Zinfandel that shows classic flavors at a fair price. It's fully dry, with rich, fine tannins and ripe falvors of berries, currants, dark chocolate, cola, cedar and lots of peppery spices. Good now with broiled steak, beef tacos, juicy burgers and Thai beef dishes." (02/10) This Zinfandel is simply one of the most delicious I've tasted in early 2010. Full of unrestrained, briary berry fruit with a mild dusting of white pepper and sage, the aromatics sing of Zinfandel. The nose made me think of a wild blackberry patch in late summer, heady and inviting, but without all the thorns. The palate is dominated by its juicy sensibilities, nothing obtrusive, nothing standing in the way of the pure raspberry, blackberry pie-like fruit. Far from sweet and miles away from oaky, this is a perfect wine to celebrate the populist charm of Zinfandel. (Bryan Brick, K&L)