We invite you to enjoy this year’s winner for Top Value Zinfandel of 2018. This wine delivers the goods - at a price that won’t break the bank.

The last time we featured a Random Ridge wine, we sold out before the end of the day. The last time we featured their Old Wave Zinfandel, we sold out in just hours. The last Old Wave Zin we managed to get our hands on was the 2013 vintage. So, why’d we miss two vintages? Because this wine is in high demand - and this time we got lucky!

Winemaker and Random Ridge Proprietor, Bill Hawley (who we adoringly call “Agent Hombre”), seems to be scaling back production of his wines, which is a heartbreak to the Wine Spies faithful that have been purchasing his wines since we started featuring them back in 2007. Since those early days, our Operatives have made Random Ridge one of their favorite and most sought-after wineries. We’ve been truly honored to work so closely with Bill and we encourage him to keep making more of his quirkily-labeled, positively exceptional wines for our Operatives.

This wine sure looks like a Zin - with a medium density, maroon hue with a sliver of magenta at the meniscus. The nose has got a crazy character lent to it from the Petite Sirah and the Carignane, bramble, red licorice, fresh coriander, pine, and raspberry. On the palate, its simply redolent of red berries including cherry, raspberry, strawberry, and cranberry. Throw in some nutmeg for the spice and it’s a tasty concoction. It’s fruity, light and delicious for an approachable, smooth ride that goes down a little too easily! Best paired with a sunny afternoon, friends and a game of cornhole.

We really hope that you get a chance to enjoy this juicy, easy-drinker.

Cheers to you, Operative!