Murphy Goode Liar's Dice Zinfandel 2012

Enjoy now. Decanting time: 1-2 hours, ideally

Light garnet red in colour with translucent hues. Inviting nose with intriguing balsamic notes, raspberry, black pepper and subtle aromas of gingerbread. Flavours of black raspberry, savory spice and lots of sweet, ripe cherry are underscored by delicate hints of vanilla, toasted spice and cinnamon. Very jammy and fruity, this wine offers pure delight with its well-structured, juicy tannins delivering a refreshing, rounded experience with just the right amount of sweetness. Structured to pack a punch with its density of concentration and focus, but soft enough for everyone around the table to want a second glass. Cultivated from some of the finest Zinfandel grapes in the region, the old vines from Ellis Ranch also provide a richness to the blend and there is a plummy core which leads smoothly toward a long, enticing finish that leave a lasting, aromatic hint of fresh black tea and redcurrants. This luscious wine is as vibrant as its namesake vinters.

This is a ripe and fruity, well-crafted wine that is known to be a crowd pleaser. Aged for 16 months in 78% French oak and 22% American oak of which 52% is new oak barriques. Enjoy with slow-cooked pork back ribs or other BBQed meats rather than as an aperitif or over dessert. Its spicy finish lends better with rich foods than as a sipping wine. You can certainly taste the California desert with every taste. But as rich and succulent as this wine may be, be prepared to sit back, relax and enjoy--this is not an only-one-glass type of wine.