Brazin (B)Old Vine Lodi Zinfandel 2010

I had this wine the other night when I was out to eat and I loved it so much, I took a picture of the label to look for in the store later. I was delighted to not only find it in the store a few days later, but on sale. Time for a proper tasting!

Most of the Zinfandels I’ve liked usually have a pretty distinct berry (or “jammy”) flavor to them, which is how they became my gateway wine to loving reds. This wine has much more of a bite and comes on very strong at first. However, the more I sip, the more I notice a pretty distinct plum flavor and just a few minutes of breathing in the glass takes the edge off and leaves a really nice finish. I think it’s a red you could introduce to your wine snob friends and feel pretty confident about or pair with the steak dinner you’re making to wow your in-laws. It’s bold, it’s impressive but it gets friendly after a few glasses. (I swear I’m still describing wine.) This is the kind of wine that begs for a long, lingering dinner with good friends, long conversations and lots of laughter. And on that note, I better buy another bottle and start planning my next dinner party…

(Of course you’re invited, silly.)

 Tasting Notes:

Name: Brazin (B)old Vine Lodi Zinfandel 2010

Grape: Red, Zinfandel (Old Vine)

Origin: California

Price: $14.99 at Harris Teeter

General impressions: bold, bite, well-balanced, hint of plum

Recommendations: a red to impress your wine snob friends or your in-laws, a perfect dinner party red, a red to sip on, pair with comfort foods, pair with steak, pair with tapas, probably not a wine for “newbie” red drinkers