Paso Zin is NOT something which crosses my desk often, for a lot of reasons you all understand. This one’s kinda fun though. Fun. I’m gonna leave it there. It’s not the kind of Zin I would immediately pick out of a group as my favorite, but it checks a lot of boxes most expect from the variety. Besides, it’s fun. Transparent garnet, a nose of roasted dog park and intense syrup, the briar on 11 with distinct green tinges. That’s refreshing.

Tasting it reinforces a lot of Zin fun-ness geeks who only speak St. Helena, Sonoma, the Sierras, Brentwood and Mendocino miss out on. It’s a thick, soft drop, plummy and lacking too many angles. its saving grace is low alcohol and definite acid, but those two items are a work-around of ripe, decadent berry fruit. The middle goes sharp-smoky-roasted into a tiny bit of heat alongside generous high-notes of spicy fruit. As unassuming as the label, it’s just plain fun. And occasionally, it’s fun to drink a fun Zin.

2018 FERGUSON FAMILY WINERY ‘Phoenix’ Zinfandel Paso Robles 14.5

https://fergusonfamilywinery.com/