Deep ruby colored, with medium viscosity (14% ABV).  The nose has medium (-) intensity aromas of prunes, stewed blackberry, a medicinal note, brambleberry, purple licorice, and a slightly green vegetal note.  The palate is dry, with medium acidity, a medium body, and medium tannins.  Medium intensity flavors offer up much the same as the nose, the plums, blackberry, cherry et al have a slightly cooked/stewed slant- indicating maturity of the wine.  It’s kinda young to be showing that level of age.  The mouthfeel however, is silky smooth.  I am actually enjoying this wine more than I thought when I first smelled it.  The finish is medium in length and adds a point or two for its redeeming qualities.  I would say this is a drink-now 89 pointer that gets 4 stars for its $17 price point.  Salut….

Medium ruby colored, with slight staining, a bluish edge, and medium viscosity (13% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of red plum, acai berry, bramble berry, vanilla pod, coffee, baking spices, and old oak.  The palate is dry, with medium acidity, a medium body, and medium (-) tannins.  It’s a very soft mouthfeel.  Medium intensity flavors of plum, vanilla, spice box, acai berry, and white pepper.  The finish of this Zinfandel, (Yes, it’s labeled Primitivo- same thing), is medium in length and retains the freshness of the acidity I got on the initial attack.  It’s a very smooth affair, albeit rather plain.  It defies the American Zin norms of being overripe, jammy and high in alcohol- this one is far more subtle, restrained in heat and certainly balanced.  I paid $7 or so at Trader Joes, what a bargain!  I think it’s worthy of 88 points,  therefore making it a 5 star wine.  Drink till 2029.  Salut….