Rombauer Vineyards Zinfandel (75cl, 16%)

This is a bold, full-bodied Californian red from Rombauer Vineyards, founded in St. Helena in 1980. It is built mainly on Zinfandel with a smaller share of Petite Sirah, and the fruit comes from Sierra Foothills vineyards in Amador, El Dorado, Lake and Napa counties, some of them over a century old. The grapes are handpicked, often at night, and sorted optically. About fifty separate barrel sets are fermented and aged individually before blending, in American and French oak. The nose is concentrated blackberry and dense plum, with raspberry jam, mocha, clove, white pepper, vanilla and chocolate. The palate is rich, with dark fruit, a juicy mid-palate, fine tannins and bright acidity, followed by a long, lush finish.