Cougar’s Leap Winery has offered me a chance to raid their cellars for another crack at the incredibly popular 2010 Black Rock Zinfandel. This wine was our 2016 Wine Spies Intrigue Award winner for Best Buy Zinfandel.

This is a fantastic wine for summertime grilling or fine dining. It is flexible, friendly, approachable and downright delicious. Stash a few bottles away for your holiday entertaining, too!

Nils Venge, who earned a perfect 100 point score from Robert Parker for his Groth Cabernet Sauvignon, made today’s wine with the same enthusiasm that he brings to all of his winemaking projects.

This Red Hills Zin greets the nose with bold aromas of blackberry, plum, blueberry and black cherry, melding with sweet spice, leather, fall leaves and a hint of graphite.

The palate is bursting with lush and juicy flavors of blackberry, black cherry, cassis and fig, infused with dark chocolate, spice, subtle cedar and vanilla, making it a great companion to a zesty meal. Enjoy with BBQ, pasta with red sauce or a garlic rubbed steak.

Don’t wait to reserve yours, this terrific budget-priced wine is moving fast.

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Here’s what the wine press has to say:

90 points - Gregory Del Paz - “Fresh oak greets the nose along with sour blue and black fruits that have a meaty edge to them. This is cool and firm on the palate with flavors of thoroughly ripe dark berry—almost curranty fruit—with blueberry accents and a nutty top note. The oak turns a touch smoky on the moderately long finish, which has blueberry and tart cranberry notes.”