Ed Meades Estate 2006

Zinfandel / $16.99
Mendocino Valley, California

Goodness, I forget how much I enjoy Zinfandel. I opened a bottle last night after my daughter's school play to eat with a bowl of pasta. I went down to the cellar to look for a reasonable (Think Cheap) bottle of wine that would hold up to the spicy red sauce. This Edmeads fit the bill to a tee.

The 2006 vintage is wonderful. Be sure to get 2006 instead of earlier vintages. It is vastly superior. Deep ruby color leads to the aroma of pepper and black/red fruit. This is a big, dense wine with great mouthfeel. It is full bodied filled with ripe black cherry and raspberry with balanced tannin. It is a super bottle of wine for the money, and a perfect foil to a rich tomato pasta.

This wine can be found locally at Calvert Woodley for $16.99 a bottle. Calvert Woodley is located on 4339 Connecticut Ave, NW in Washington, D.C. 202-966-4400. They have a great newsletter, and it is worthwhile contacting them to be added to the list.

website: calvertwoodley.com .