“Les Enfants Terribles” is what I call my two children. On those days I rate them a dismal 81 points on behavior but this 92 point Zin is exactly what I need to find balance in the chaos.

And many days, they’re what drives me to drink. And because I need to still save for their college funds, at just $19 THIS is exactly the kind of wine I like to open on a Tuesday night.

This bright, piquant, Pinot-like Zinfandel comes from the husband-and-wife team behind Dashe Cellars. They draw on a wealth of experience, having worked at some of the world’s most renowned wineries: Lafite-Rothschild and La Dominique in Bordeaux, Cloudy Bay in New Zealand, Schramsberg, Far Niente, Ridge Vineyards, and Chappellet stateside. Today, Michael & Anne mostly focus on vineyard-designate expressions such as this.

The grapes come from Signal Ridge Vineyard, the highest elevation in Mendocino at 3,000 feet. And the only appellation in the country designated on the sole basis of altitude. Modeled after the Grand Cru wines of the Beaujolais region, this is all about freshness and bright acidity which explains why it remains practically unchanged seven years later. Light red in color, medium-bodied, and only spending about five months in large oak foudres it’s the PERFECT accompaniment with so many dinners.

This stuff is brimming with bright red raspberry and pomegranate, gently spiced red plums, tart cranberry, and wet river stones with a sprinkling of savory spices. As Jimmy G of Wine Enthusiast notes, it’s “ripe, but not over-ripe”. Nailed it. Honest, well made, superbly priced Zin like this makes us happy and it will make you smile too. Imagine a Grand Cru Beaujolais, but make it Zinfandel, and drop a little California sunshine in there and you’ll be on the right track.

Surely if you are familiar with the magic of Dashe, you already know what’s up. Round out your locker with a bottle or ten of this and maybe throw in a big baller Cabernet.

92 Points – Wine Enthusiast “This appetizing and well-balanced wine offers fresh, fragrant fruit flavors of blackberry jam and black figs accented by earthy, peppery notes, on a medium to full body. It’s good and ripe but not over-ripe.”