star rating: Four Stars (86-91)

Country of Origin: California

Appellation: Dry Creek Valley

Retail Price: $19.99

Tasting Notes: One of the most pure expressions of Zinfandel I’ve ever tasted. Hand-tended vineyards, native yeast fermentation, no fining or filtering - this wine rocks. Dark and ripe with incredible silky rich texture and bursting at the seams with blueberry cobbler, black cherry juice, and hints of mocha. Love this wine with just about anything; it’s one of my go-tos!

Country of Origin: California

Appellation: Sonoma County

Retail Price: $25

Tasting Notes: Not only was I impressed by the flavor, I was also impressed by the packaging. The winemaker, Pete Nixon was a graphic designer by trade. The “Counterfeit” Zinfandel is unique in its packaging but classic when it comes to all the flavors you expect: big, juicy and jammy. After the hand harvest, the grapes go through full malolactic fermentation and are aged for 13 months in French oak. It opens with a touch of vanilla on the nose due to that French oak and big blackberry pepper jam. The palate has some toasty notes and a soft silky black pepper finish. This is a wine that doesn’t need a food pairing, just a big glass and some great conversation.