Napa Cellars Zinfandel 2005

I found this yesterday while picking up a few bottles at Village Wine Market. The winery is not one I'm familiar with but will remember it now! This wine struck me as un-Zin-like during the first glass. It had more of a syrah character - smooth and refined fruit. In later glasses more of the expected spice came out. It's a really good wine, easy to drink on its own and delicious with food (steak in our case).

The winery website sums it up well: "Napa Cellars Zinfandel is the perfect middle ground between the spicy Zinfandels of the Sierra Foothills and the fruity jammy Zinfandels of Sonoma. Both characteristics can be found in moderation with this wine. You can expect a swirl of the glass to reveal intense, sweet ripe berries, cinnamon and black pepper spice with elements of sun-baked earth."

$14.99 (sale price)