Rombauer, California, Zinfandel 2006 This has always been on the very rich end of Zin styles with perceptible residual sugar – nonetheless a crowd-pleaser. This vintage follows the same path. The fruit is 59% Amador, 24% Napa, 11% lake and 6% El Dorado Counties. V&B in St. Helena 15.5% $27.99 at Traverso’s Rombauer
Van Ruiten, Lodi, Estate Grown, Petite Sirah 2004 This winery has been rising on the radar screen. We had a great visit there organized by Mark Chandler a few years ago where we tasted a number of very good wines. This is on the pruny side with a sweet and ripe expression of the grape that still delivers the tannic structure you would expect of Petite with some refreshing acidity. Estate bottled in Lodi 14.5% $18.99 at the winery Van Ruiten
