WTN: Very tidy Zin

This turned out to be a nearly perfect Alexander Valley Zin. Blackberries, bramble and earth. Brought to mind ice cream, grilled steak, hot summer afternoons. With spaghetti, couldn't be better!
Calif., Alexander Valley, Sausal Estate Grown, Private Reserve, 90 year old vines, 2006
14.5% alcohol, $24, Bought at the winery in 1/10

John

I have always liked Sausal zins.

A very pleasant tasting room, too. Not pretentious.
I started with spaghetti on Saturday, then had a glass with grilled lamb chops Sunday, and finished the bottle with half a rack of baby back ribs yesterday.
By yesterday, it was showing some open time, but it was still true to its roots and very tasty. (I dry-rubbed the ribs, braised them in beer, and finished on the grill. They weren't any more spicy or "strong" than the lamb chops.)
I opened the bottle expecting a flexible wine (a great advantage of Zin), and I wasn't disappointed.

John