Straight outta Livermore, the quirky wine nuts at Bonny Doon have turned their eyes to zinfandel, with this “Cardinal Zin” (get it? GET IT!?) now hitting the market.

Grapes are sourced from “Beastly Old Vines” in the Oakley area (the far outer suburbs of the San Francisco Bay Area; the wine bears only a “California” appellation) and the wine is aged just eight months.

Actually a blend — 95% zinfandel, 5% mourvedre — this is a very light, pleasant wine. Unchallenging in any way, it’s full of jammy fruit, raspberry and blueberry, and opens on a peppery vibe. I don’t want to say watery, but it’s on the thin side. Goes down pretty smoothly, without a lot of fuss.

Love the Ralph Steadman label, by the way. (2005 label shown below; 2006 is virtually identical.)

B+ / $20

2006 Bonny Doon Cardinal Zin

$20

8

Rating

8.0/10

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