Winery:  "The word "saldo" has many different meanings in Spanish, Italian and Portuguese. In Spanish, it mainly refers to "balance on hand", and sometimes it can mean "from here and there." This wine represents the best of the best lots made by Dave Phinney from vineyards all across Northern California.  The 2008 Saldo is rich, ripe, and full-bodied, with aromas of black cherry and bramble fruit. The tannins are soft but the wine has a huge mid-palate. The soft, lush finish lingers. 2008 was a perfect vintage for Saldo. The hot weather was ideal for creating ripe Zinfandel. Drink now and enjoy over the next five years."

Wired For Wine:  From cult favorite Orin Swift Cellars and gifted vintner Dave Phinney, we bring you the luscious and fiesty Orin Swift Saldo Zinfandel.  Kick things off informally with your first full glasses and serve a big platter of sweet and tangy barbecued baby back ribs.  You can have the butcher cut them in half to make them a more user-friendly finger food.  The sweetness of the bbq sauce next to the ripe dark fruit in the Saldo will only make the diners clamor for more.  That same fruit, notes of spice and zest and gentle tannins make this Orin Swift Zin a great companion for grilled meats, spicy Asian and Mexican dishes, duck, hearty pastas and even pizza.  We are already in a casual mood, and so would pair it with big, juicy grilled burgers topped with aged cheddar and onion rings. (Yes; the onion rings are in the burger.  Trust us on this one.)   A generous dot of ketchup on top will only enhance the combination.  While we're on the subject of burgers, if you want to get off the beaten path a bit, we love this rich, full-bodied California red with grilled lamb burgers topped with cucumber-mint mayo.  If Asian is what you're craving, duck stir-fried with ginger will do nicely.  Recently we had this Saldo with a sausage and winter greens risotto.  What's your pleasure?  When the main course has been cleared, you will want to open another bottle.  If savory is your choice, we say a rich Stilton with warm, crusty bread.  If it's sweet you want, a platter of double chocolate cherry biscotti won't disappoint.  Or perhaps, you'll have a little saldo...

Bottle:  750ml, cork
Varietal:  88% Zinfandel, 8% Syrah, 4% Petite Syrah
Alcohol:  15.5%
Ageing:   French and American Oak barrels, 20% new
Region:   blend from Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino, Amador, and Contra Costa, California