Ravenswood Lodi Zinfandel, 2007

White or Red: Red

Grape(s): Zinfandel

Origin: Sonoma, CA

Vintage: 2007
Price: $14.00

Overall:
Maybe it's the old vines but regardless, this is one of the best I've tasted in this price range.  Soft like a pillow, velvety and smooth with raspberry as the main fruit that gently cuts through.  The finish yields a yummy chocolaty spice.  Outstanding balance and a sense of maturity that usually only presents itself in higher priced bottles.  Smells wonderful and if I were given one word, I'd go with "delicious".

To reveal a personal bias, Ravenswood, for some reason, has always come across to me as a second-rate wine.  Perhaps it just seems to be well marketed and widely available so I lumped it in with "Carlo Rossi" and the boys.  The guy in the wine store had to twist my arm to try it and promised it was great.  Maybe he should write the blog 'cause he done did me good.

As always, DO NOT pour and slug- there is a reason why the fancy folk let wine breathe.  Take a cue from them, let it sit in your glass for 10 minutes and then get after it.