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The Lolonis 2005 Zinfandel from Redwood Valley was a wedding gift. Spring seemed a good time to pull it out of the cellar.

Color: Ruby. Bright.

Nose: I swear, my grandmother’s rhubarb patch within smelling distance of the boat harbor in Bristol Bay, Alaska. So there’s a bit of wet moss, muddy saltwater, and some Grundens brought to mind. Cinnamon. Black licorice — the old Scandinavian salty licorice… Jägermeister anyone? (Just kidding — kind of.) Not fully ripe blackberry is another taster’s vote.

Mouth: Not wimpy at all. This wine hits me in the back of the mouth, and then the finish moves forward to mid-palate. Peppery, hot.

There’s a certain alcohol burn to the finish, but it’s not all bad. The blackberry ripens in the mouth.

Quite a nice surprise as I don’t drink many Zinfandels here in Walla Walla. My thanks to Stacy B. You’re welcome to bring us wine anytime. Not just for weddings.