We love most of the Zinfandels that we’ve sampled from the Grist Vineyard. Grist sits atop Bradford Mountain in California’s Zin capital, the Dry Creek Valley, and today’s Ousterhout Wines 2011 Dry Creek Valley Grist Vineyard Zinfandel is one of the best expressions of that beautiful vineyard.

Today’s 91 point gem is a juicy, delicious, fun wine with tons of great fruit and spice - on the nose as well as on the palate. This wine is a joy to drink all on its own, or as an easy, flexible companion for most foods. The acid profile lends itself to a wide array of pairing options.

Aromas leap from the glass to greet you on the nose, with blackberry, raspberry, chocolate cherry, violets, plum, subtle spice, cedar, sweet tobacco and cherry candy.

Ultra juicy and delicious on the palate, with cherry cocktail, blueberry juice, black cherry, young blackberry, young strawberry, subtle sweet spice and a hint of red apple.

This steal of a wine is offered to you with our very boldest recommendation. Enjoy!

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Here’s what the wine press has to say:

91 points - Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast - “Dusty in red fruit, like crisp cassis and plum, this is a restrained, elegant and smooth wine from a great site. It shows a complexity of baking spices and cherry compote as it cruises into a lengthy finish.”