2013 Black Sears Estate Howell Mountain Zinfandel Winery Notes: "In the glass the color of this wine is a deep plum hue with rose petal edges. Aromatic notes of white pepper, concentrated brambly fruit, and orange rind swirl around the glass with a bright vitality. On the palate, deeper notes of kirsch liqueur, umami, blackberry, graphite, dried rosemary and tarragon are intense, all while being light on their feet. This wine saw only 1/3 new French oak barrels so as to let the fruit really shine in the glass. Most people wouldn’t guess that some age on a Zinfandel is a good thing, but with the acid and mountain tannin profile found here, a few years in the cellar will round out any hard edges."