2005 Tobin James, RRV Zinfandel, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County ($38 U.S. but came in the fall ’07 club shipment). Alcohol level: 13.8%. To the best of our knowledge this is the one an only RRV wine TJ has ever made, and that’s a shame. It is not only one of the best zins they have made in our experience, but also one of least octane.
The wine is very much alive and well on the nose and upfront. It is rich, peppery, and filled with juicy fruit in the middle. The finish lingered and lingered.
We matched it with broiled tenderloin steaks in bacon rasher, a half of a Broule, and salad. It was a classic Saturday night dinner, enjoyed on a snowy Tuesday.