Ravenswood Winery

Every wine lover has an opinion on what wine you should drink with BBQ or grilled fare. Some always go for a rose. Others think simple, but spicy reds are best. I've even heard Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc as options. In my opinion, there is no such thing as the "ultimate" BBQ wine given the wide range of foods that end up over open flame.

That said, I really love to serve Zinfandel with grilled beef, especially full-flavored, well-seasoned steaks or kebabs. So, drinking Ravenswood's 2002 Monte Rosso Zinfandel was a no-brainer choice.

Teeth stainingly dark in the glass, this wine has impressive aromatics that jump right out of the glass – sweet red berry (raspberry and cherry), vanilla, sweet and savory spice. The enchanting, alluring nose alone makes this wine an experience.

As with most Zin, this isn't a low alcohol bottling, coming in at 15.4% ABV, but the wine wasn't "hot" at all. Full, round, mouth-filling flavors and body balance the alcohol extremely well. Bold but smooth, this wine is all about cherries and chocolate and spice. I'm glad that I bought a few bottles because the Monte Rosso vineyard is owned by Gallo now, so Ravenswood won't be making this wine anymore.

Reviewed July 11, 2006 by Lenn Thompson.