2004 Sebastiani Sonoma County ZINFANDEL

This is the best value Zin I've had in the last 3 years. Not a full-bodied blockbuster, but just spot-on Zin flavors and great balance. Black ruby color. Nose shy at first, but within an hour had blossomed to reveal classic ripe Zin fruit (brambly blackberries) and creamy, smoky molasses undertones. Medium-bodied, with ripe, soft blackberry fruit, and a clean, pure, and relatively long finish. A wine I could drink way too much of. At $8.50 a bottle at Spec's on Smith, this one is worth stocking up on, if you, like me, are a Zin fan. 88.