2004 Copain Zinfandel, Arrowhead Mountain, Sonoma Valley
This is one of the loveliest zinfandels I have ever tasted. Medium bodied, highly aromatic nose of red raspberry, lingonberry and boysenberry, some spice, a hint of dried basil, and that elusive bramble that the best winemakers coax out of the grape. Beautifully delineated, very finessed, no obvious oak. Pinot-like. Pricey for zinfandel at around $40 but you can taste every penny, and it's well worth it.
2003 M3 Zinfandel, Old Vines, Lodi
Full bodied, a bruiser. Flavors of black raspberry, prune, molasses and vanilla; sweet-hot finish, as heavy as the Copain was light. A good choice for fans of over the top, bigger-is-better wines, but it doesn't work for me.
