Wine Spectator:  Rated as Outstanding: a wine of superior character and style.  "A real spice bomb, loaded with black cherry and caramel notes and jammy, appealingly complex huckleberry, toasty licorice and loamy sage flavors. Drink now through 2014. 2,750 cases made."  Feb 2009

Winery:   "This handcrafted wine comes from the preeminent Zinfandel region in California: the Dry Creek Valley in Sonoma County. This region combines the daytime warmth needed for this heat-loving variety to fully mature the grapes, and the cool evenings to retain fresh red fruit profiles and structure.

Deep ruby color. The fruit profile opens with fresh blackberries and black cherry, followed by ripe raspberry jam. More subtle aromas of currants, licorice, black pepper and spice. Entry on the palate is a burst of berries, followed by spices and ripe fruit sweetness. The mid-palate is smooth and round with elegant tannins and a lush finish. This Dry Creek offering shows that Zinfandel can be sophisticated and elegant and gains complexity with pairing."

Wired For Wine:  Owned by Hess Vineyards, this smooth, round Artezin Dry Creek Zinfandel is fantastic with easy comfort foods. Pair it with a simply grilled piece of salmon. Burgers your favorite way are the perfect foil to the delicious red fruits in this Zinfandel. Sweet barbecue sauces are oh-so-yummy with this loaded yet elegant red. It's spice and earth notes are great with a little heat. Make a puree of dried chiles, pecans, fresh orange juice, and garlic, rub it on your customary steak, and grill away! Serve that steak with oven-roasted potatoes and you won't be disappointed. The jammy fruit in the Dry Creek allow it to match up with less sugary, gooey chocolate desserts. Pour another glass after the dishes have been cleared, and bring out a big platter of dark chocolate-dipped macaroons for everyone to share. If you're not in the mood for sweet, this Zin is a home run with one of our all-time favorite cheeses: Stilton. If you're sold on the macaroons, put the Stilton on the burgers and call it a day... Enjoy!

Size:         750ml
Varietal: 88% Zinfandel 11% Petite Sirah 1% Carignan
Alcohol:  14.5%
Ageing:   12 months French oak
Region:  Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California
Production:  2,750 dozen