Project Paso Old Vine Zinfandel, 2009

I was looking for a wine to review and began browsing the wine aisle in my local Kroger.  I wasn't sure what to select and then a unique closure/cork caught my eye. It was on the wines for Project Paso.  I had to try that winery.  Now all I had to do was select a varietal. 

Project Paso 2009 Old Vine Zinfandel ($13) is from Paso Robles, California.  This is one of the many wineries for Don Sebastiani & Sons. A dark ruby red color with an alcohol of 14.4%  The aroma was smoke, tobacco and a hint of oak.  The flavor was light fruit, spice, tobacco, and a flash of chocolate.  Balanced.  Perfect for hearty meals.

Winemaker's Notes:  There is a vast complexity of flavors and aromas in this wine, driven by the unique Paso Robles soils and the blend of three Zinfandel vineyards. The nose opens up with dried fruit and concentrated blueberry aromas, with white pepper, warm Indian spices, and a touch of gaminess rounding out the background. This wine is similarly complex on the palate, with chocolate-covered cherry flavors balanced by old vine spice and a hint of sweet cigar. Earthy, medium-bodied, with a touch of minerality, this varietally correct Zinfandel gets its depth from Paso’s red soils. Light, dusty tannins frame the finish, with hints of espresso bean and sour cherry. Serve our Project Paso Zinfandel with barbecued ribs, collard greens and black-eyed peas for a classic Southern dish, or try a grilled buffalo burger with thick sweet potato fries to match with the sweet and savory notes in the wine. 

Oh, and the closure/cork is called a "zork cork"... it's plastic.  You just unwrap it.  Pull the end, unwrap, and pull out the cork.  You don't need a corkscrew.