A Zinful Weekend... finale!

After two fine bottles in our playful version of the St. Francis Zinfandel vertical tasting, the 2005 Tres Viejos and the 2005 Wild Oak Zinfandel, the guests' taste buds were piqued for a sublime finish.

St. Francis 2004 Old Vines Zinfandel represents an old world approach to Zinfandels. It's more fruit forward than the 2005 vintages, with a broader appeal. You open to jammy red fruits including cherry, blackberry, and currant, as well as the slightest smokiness of oak. Let the wine breathe as you swirl the glass, and you catch hints of raisin and plum on second sips.

All of our Zinfandels demonstrated rich colors, but the 2004 cast the deepest purples and reds from the glass, hinting at the fig and plum fruit flavors awaiting you. I was impressed with the smooth finish and this wine's lack of spicy peaks. The 2004 has matured well, easing the spikes of pepper and clove I noticed in a bottle last year. Much more supple this year, which teases us with promises for another taste next year.

Happily, the 2004 Old Vines Zinfandel is available in general distribution, so you should have little trouble finding wine shops still stocking it. Wine.com still has a small distribution at $22 per bottle, which makes the St. Francis 2004 Old Vines Zinfandel not just my favorite of the three bottles in our tasting, but also the best value. At $22, I can enjoy this Zinfandel on any Zinful weekend that I like!