Blockheadia ringnosii 2006 Sonoma County Zinfandel

Medium-dark garnet color, a bit of petillance forms on the glass.

Toasted oak dominates the smell, tobacco, cherry/berry in the background.

Tart cherry flavor, woody notes, only a hint of alcohol warmth in the finish, quite surprising in a wine of 15% ABV, effect can creep on up you a bit from such a fruity, food-friendly wine.

Very good bottle for $27.99, a pleasant surprise from restaurateur Michael Ouellette. The faux-Linnean name is not explained.

Rosenblum Cellars 2007 Sonoma County Zinfandel

Slightly translucent ruby color.

Blackberry, oak smells.

Black cherry flavor, blackberry, red raspberry, well-balanced with oak.

Simple but good bottle for $20.99, an exuberant celebration of juicy ripe fruit.