We’re trying to get our hands on more of today’s wine but, so far, supply is limited…

We’re so lucky to have established such a close relationship with Ravenswood over the last decade. We’ve featured their wines nearly forty times since we first featured them back in 2009. Today’s Ravenswood Winery 2015 Big River Single Vineyard Alexander Valley Zinfandel dazzled our entire tasting panel.

This Zinfandel is a gorgeous garnet with even color consistency, with ruby red glinting near the edge. The nose is rich and fragrant with notes of black currant, dusty bramble, blackberry, cigar box, and mocha. On the palate, mature ripe fruit flavors rule with huge notes of plum compote, black cherry with supporting notes of dark chocolate, tobacco leaf, and earl grey tea. Ravenswood always delivers the goods with big, bold Zinfandels with lush fruit flavor and easy going tannins and this is no exception. Cajun-rubbed smoked chicken with a corn on the cob and grilled green onions are the choice companion for this wine.

Agent Red once asked Ravenswood’s winemaker, Joel Peterson what his winemaking philosophy was. His answer: “Wines should reflect the flavors of the places that they were grown. Wine should taste like fruit, not oak. Wine should be balanced, rich, and complex and interesting. The best wines are the ones that develop well with age.”

“To that end, we attempt to let each vineyard express its optimal character by using winemaking techniques and careful attention to detail that dwells on each vineyard’s particular strengths. Our mantra is “no wimpy wines”, meaning that we want each wine we have to exhibit strength of character, not merely power.”

Thanks, Joel. We love you.

Here’s what the wine press has to say:

93 Points - The Tasting Panel, June 2018 “From a 13-acre, 100-year-old vineyard straddling the Russian River and the Alexander Valley appellations, this elegant Zin is aged 19 months in French oak barrels. With a ripe cherry nose and a hint of bark, this thrilling red has a juicy nature that shines through. White pepper dots red-fruit tones and the palate weight gives true presence.”

91 Points - Wine Spectator, June 15, 2018 “Sleek and precise, with elegantly structured cherry, dried sage and pepper flavors that finish with polished tannins. Drink now through 2027.”