I smoked a beef brisket yesterday and opened a bottle of 2008 Orin
Swift Saldo California Zinfandel. This is a blend of a number of
differnet vineyards from a number of California AVA's. Dark reddish
purple in the glass. Nose of fresh crushed berries, sage and
bramble. Deep, ripe berry flavors on the palate,a bit of black pepper
and spice, quite fresh and fruity on the palate but not cloying. I
enjoyed it with the smoked brisket. "B+"

On May 15, 9:43*am, "Bi!!" > wrote:
> I smoked a beef brisket yesterday and opened a bottle of 2008 Orin
> Swift Saldo *California Zinfandel. *This is a blend of a number of
> differnet vineyards from a number of California AVA's. *Dark reddish
> purple in the glass. *Nose of fresh crushed berries, sage and
> bramble. *Deep, ripe berry flavors on the palate,a bit of black pepper
> and spice, quite fresh and fruity on the palate but not cloying. I
> enjoyed it with the smoked brisket. "B+"

I really like this wine though tendency is, as with Orin Swift wines
to be very big. We had this about a month ago with a steak and it went
wonderfully. B+ to A- for me.

On May 15, 11:58*am, lleichtman > wrote:
> On May 15, 9:43*am, "Bi!!" > wrote:
>
> > I smoked a beef brisket yesterday and opened a bottle of 2008 Orin
> > Swift Saldo *California Zinfandel. *This is a blend of a number of
> > differnet vineyards from a number of California AVA's. *Dark reddish
> > purple in the glass. *Nose of fresh crushed berries, sage and
> > bramble. *Deep, ripe berry flavors on the palate,a bit of black pepper
> > and spice, quite fresh and fruity on the palate but not cloying. I
> > enjoyed it with the smoked brisket. "B+"
>
> I really like this wine though tendency is, as with Orin Swift wines
> to be very big. We had this about a month ago with a steak and it went
> wonderfully. B+ to A- for me.

I agree, especially "The Prisoner" but I find Saldo to be much better
balanced and well within itself.