Connoisseurs' Guide:  Rated as An exceptional wine. Worth a special search of the market.  "As a group, the Ravenwood's 2008 single-vineyard Zinfandels rank among winemaker Joel Peterson's best efforts yet, and, if picking a favorite is not easy, the deep and delicious Teldeschi bottling stands out as our pick of the bunch. Keenly focused on optimally ripe berries and showing the stunning concentration of classic old-vine Zinfandel, it is wonderfully well-balanced for the big wine that it is, and its layered flavors last and last. It will no doubt tempt drinking early, but it has a decade or more of improvement ahead, and it should be cellared away for at least four or five years." 

Winery:  "The 2008 Teldeschi is deep purple, nearly black in color. Powerful aromas of black cherries, coffee, caramel, and dark chocolate as well as other sweet dark fruit scents combine to create the classic character of a great Dry Creek Benchland Zinfandel. Rich flavors of sweet cherry liqueur, vanilla and smoke lead to a ripe, dense, gently tannic, long and bright fruit finish."

Wired For Wine:  Some of the vines in the Teldeschi Vineyard are over 90 years old, and that is only one of the many factors which contribute to the quality and vivacious character of this lovingly crafted Ravenswood Teldeschi Vineyard Zinfandel.  The luscious, dark fruit, vanilla, earthy nuances and gentle tannins of this Ravenswood saturated red are conducive to meats, barbecue, baked pastas and so much more.  Open your first bottle and serve a sausage sampler platter with mustard dipping sauces.  Make sure there's a good assortment of spicy and mild.  The spicy ones are great opposite the ripe fruit of this delicious Zinfandel, while the mild will access the subtle notes of smoke and coffee.  The classic route suggests falling-off-the-bone baby backs with a messy, thick, sweet sauce that has basted them for hours.  A gingered applesauce cole slaw on the side is a terrific choice.  We love a good sandwich with this Sonoma Zin, so how about achiote-marinated, grilled pork with grilled onions and tomatillo salsa?  Not in the mood to cook?  No problem!  The medium weight and great finish of this cheeky red are perfect with a sausage and mushroom pizza or cheesy lasagna from your favorite Italian takeout place.  Your choice...  We're craving delicious comfort food for dessert, so we say serve up a mixed berry pie with a light, fluffy crust and have just one more glass, or two...

Size:  750ml
Varietal:   75% Zinfandel, 20% Petite Sirah, 3% Carignane, 2% Alicante Bouschet
Alcohol:   14.5%
Ageing:    20 months in 100% French Oak, 31% new, 30% 1 year old
Region:    Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma, California
Production:  2,800 dozen