At long last, Optima Winery returns! This time around, with their flagship wine, their Optima Winery 2014 Dry Creek Valley Sonoma County Zinfandel. We’ve long adored Optima’s wines, but it is their Zins, in particular, that get our tasting panel excited. We’re all crazy about this rich, aromatic, juicy wine.

It’s dark and foreboding for a Zinfandel with a rich garnet center surrounded by a thin lip of bright crimson. The nose is enticing with rich notes of dusty bramble, big blackberry, sassafras, subtle anise, and rich sandalwood. It comes through on the palate big time with a blackberry and cherry medley joining vanilla and caramel barrel notes. There’s a bit of floral hibiscus in there as well to seal the deal. Drinks like an opulent Dry Creek Zin with powerful fruit, quaffable tannin, and plenty of staying power. Yum. For the winter months, try this Zinfandel with a nice rack of lamb, seared by the broiler.

The Dry Creek Valley AVA (American Viticultural Area) in northeastern Sonoma County (north of Healdsburg) is somewhat warmer and wetter than the Russian River Valley AVA region just to the south and the Alexander Valley AVA just to the east. This warmer, wetter climate provides great versatility with regard to the types of grapes that can be effectively cultivated in the region.

We last featured Optima about a year ago. Prior to that, it was a full three years between sales. Optima holds close their wines, especially their coveted Dry Creek Zinfandel. We got lucky, today, but don’t expect this wine to last the full day. At today’s special price, this wine will likely sell out.