You don’t have to be a mogul, like R. K. Maroon of “Maroon Cartoons”, to buy today’s wine. Our 50% off price puts this fantastic old vine Howell Mountain Reserve Zin within reach of the Roger Rabbits among us.

This is no cartoon wine, though, This is serious, bombastic, delicious Zin from one of our favorite producers.

This terrific wine was made from 20-year-old vines that grow on a 700-foot elevation bench on the northeastern slope of the fabled Howell Mountain. There is plenty of juicy fruit here, with an elegance and acidity that make the wine an excellent food companion.

This Reserve Zinfandel is dusty, brambly and juicy on the nose, with black cherry, plum, braised fig, cigar box, violets, cranberry, brown spice and subtle tobacco notes. Bold and juicy on the palate, with flavors of black cherry, Alpine strawberry, brown spice, blackberry compote, cherry juice, dried cranberry, vanilla oak and black pepper.

Here’s what the Beverage Testing Institute has to say:

“Dark ruby black color. Lively, piney, confected aromas of caramelized bacon, roasted nuts and berries and herbal honey with a glycerous, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a tingling, complex, medium-long vanilla, dried cherries and blueberries, beets, and orange finish with well-integrated, crunchy tannins and moderate oak. A nice savory zinfandel that will shine at the table.” Score: 92 points - Beverage Testing Institute, Jun-17-2015