~$17US Mostly Zinfandel / A little Petit Sirah, Sonoma California

Rich deep purple color. Totally candy-store on the nose; Skittles, Spree, Jollyranchers.Full-bodied on the palate. 15.2% alcohol (noticeable) with some oak and medium tannins keep this a few more steps away from grape Kool Aid. Mixed blackberries, raspberries and Sprees, all stewed together with a few pine-needles. A strange waxy note, like a box of crayons shows up in the mid-palate. Fun and easy to drink, especially after a little of the alcohol blew off (45 minutes?). More of a cocktail wine than a meal-pairing one.

Party Juice! Big fruit and a great wine to share with friends. A benchmark over-the-top style Zinfandel, under $20.

~$35US Napa Valley Zinfandel Blend

A ginormous blend of Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petit Sirah, and Charbono @ 15.2% ABV. Extremely deep, inky purple. Intense blackberry, plums, and spicy stewed apples on the nose. Tasted very rich and extracted. If Hostess combined their Apple Pie and Blueberry Pies, liquified them crust-and-all, it would taste something like this wine. Some oak (which was kept in check) and mild tannins helped balanced the massive fruit - giving the wine some finesse. Super easy to drink, and easy to appreciate the craft and balance. Pair with hearty grilled meats.

A benchmark American wine in 2005, and a joy to drink. One to share with friends.