Visually, the 2018 Black Sears Estate Zinfandel is a deep, Byzantium purple, highlighted by a ring of paradise pink at the glass's edge. The nose opens with boysenberry and strawberry before evolving into notes of white pepper, pine, and a hint of orange rind. On the palate, this is a buxom, feminine Zinfandel that offers an abundance of rich, luscious fruit. Yet the wine is paradoxically dry and firm on approach, before relaxing and blossoming into a bouquet of cherries, lavender, graphite, and tobacco. By the time it hits the back of the throat, the classic Black Sears earthy notes of forest floor, matsutakes, and eucalyptus finally make their entrance, leaving one to wonder if all that ripe fruit was just a lovely daydream. 

Pair with a spicy meat lasagna, the tragicomic, absurd short stories of George Saunders, and the carefree lounge and bossa sounds of Astrud Gilberto and Walter Wanderley. Consider that in the face of insurmountable horror, the only appropriate response is laughter.

Winemaker: Thomas Rivers Brown

Barrels: 100% French Oak – 1/3 new, 1/3 year-old, 1/3 neutral, 18 months

ABV: 15.3%

360 cases produced