MonteVina Terra D’oro, Zinfandel, 2005, Amador County, California, $15.99
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Its a deep, dense ruby color, with visibly thick legs; you can tell just by looking at this Zin that its gonna be a big one. Super concentrated dark chocolate clearly dominates the noes, with aromas of rhubarb pie, red tea, and hints of cinnamon encased in a warm oak blanket. Plenty of that dark cocoa carries over to the palate, complimented by black pepper, and understated but juicy ripe cherries. For the price, this is one sophisticated wine. Its got a bone dry finish of oak, cassis and cocoa. Pair it with Chipotle BBQed ribs and grilled earthy veggies for a match made in vino heaven.
Tags: california, red, under $20, Zinfandel