88 2004 Four Vines Biker Zinfandel 7/6/07 ($16)
15% alc
Color: Medium deep garnet with a touch of purple. (3.0) Bouquet: Ripe plum tending towards prune with some tart cherry to balance it out. Has a nice dollop of toasty oak and a touch of alcohol, but shows some restraint. (2.5) Body: Solid middleweight with very good fruit-to-acid-to-oak-to-alcohol balance, particularly for its level of ripeness. (3.0) Flavor: Parallels bouquet, but more ripe fruit and intensity. Very tasty. (3.0) Finish: Parallels flavor with cedary oak complementing, but shows some heat here. (2.5)
Overall: As the name (Biker) implies, this is not a subtle wine, but despite its full-throttle style, it shows more restraint and personality than might be expected for the price. Ripe, tasty Paso Robles fruit (ripe plum and cherry) is surrounded by very good acidity and some oak. For summer drinking put a little chill on it. (14.0)