Any wine from this label reminds me of my honeymoon.  That may explain my predilection for Sonoma County wines.  Another reason I like the wine is the solid performance every year.  And this bottle - the "everyday drinking" option, is widely available and fairly economical at under $10 a bottle. An everyday option at this price is pretty impressive from a winery whose top wines score in the 90s. 

This wine is very bright: the fruit is right there immediately on your tongue.  I get a hint of pepper, but the structure comes with a softness infused throughout. 

Ravenswood winemaker Joel Peterson says, "we use native vineyard yeasts and ferment in small, open-topped tanks and allow the temperature of the juice to get very warm to extract all the color and flavor possible. We leave the wine in contact with its skins for weeks, not days, after which it's aged in small French oak barrels whose flavors are consistent with our wines, particularly Zinfandel."

Any Ravenswood is worth sipping by itself.  For pairings, I like this wine a hearty beef stew (with a tomato base) and whole grain rolls.  Perfect for these past few frigid winter nights.