Rewind the clock! Inflation begone!

Talk about a throwback. It’s been FOREVER since we had a Russian River Zin this good and this CHEAP.

Fifteen dollars, people.

For a tri-vineyard gem by the Guerilla, nonetheless. Conte, Paradise Lane, and Mori are the sites that make up this beauty. Not sure about how it is where you live, but these days in wine country it’s a challenge to find a glass of yummy Zin for the same money.

Conte is a tiny 2-acre field-blended site with 25+-year-old vines at the border with Chalk Hill. A sprinkling of Petite Sirah, Carignan, and Alicante Bouschet adds spice and depth. Matrix, the top-of-the-line Zin label by the Wilson clan has recently taken over this fruit source for a single vineyard. Paradise Lane is smack in the heart of Russian River Valley, with gnarly century-old head-pruned vines churning classically pure, ultra-low yielding Zin. Mori is another hidden gem of a vineyard, just outside of Forestville.

The synergy here, as the striking label implies, means in-your-face, unabashed Russian River Zin bliss. It’s undoubtedly a BIG wine, albeit not overdone, exhibiting spicy red and black fruits, Bing cherries, and cola with a savory, refreshingly herbal edge. Tannins are round and supple, retaining remarkable purity and balance through the spicy, tangy finish. So much ZIN.

Pro tip: Sip and savor with a baguette, cheese, and nduja for hours of fun! New to spreadable salumi? This local stuff is a great pairing intro.

If you don’t know Wine Guerrilla yet, they are a family-owned Forestville-based winery focusing on one varietal only - Zinfandel. From these century-old vines to younger recently planted vineyards across Sonoma, they make a style for everyone.

Good thing they have winemaking guru John Harley at the helm here, who’s cut his teeth at Donum Estate, Brack Mountain, and currently Marietta Cellars, all boutique wineries at the top of their game.

No press on this one except for a lovely note from Wine Enthusiast for the not-as-rich previous vintage: “Perfumed in black-cherry liqueur and brown sugar, this is richly dense, full-bodied and lushly textured red wine, with a tension of bright acidity that lingers on the finish.”

And what Wine Spectator says for the 2018 Zinfandel harvest: “Nearly ideal growing season, with generally rich and structured wines that are also consumer-friendly.”

Can prime Russian River Zin get any friendlier than $15? While it lasts!