Wine: Tobin James - FAT BOY

The last 2 weeks we have been busy busy busy - trying to get rooms ready to move my copious amounts of junk into. [I can admit its mine, the holiday decorations, itso storage cubes full of yarn and scrap book material, and of course, my excess of clothes. I am a woman who likes to nest, after all].

We have officially set up our wine fridge. I filled that puppy up, and plugged her in. As dinner was boiling away on the stove, I opened a bottle of red - room temperature is the best serving, right? No need to be chilled!

Tobin James Fat Boy Zin was the lucky little fellow to be picked.

Only a few cases of this wine are bottled in this particular style, reads the label. The grapes are cultivated from 50 year-or-older vines. "FATBOY is like the best friend you had as a kid, big, brash, and maybe slightly obnoxious, but always well loved!" Well said Tobin, well said.

This is definitely a robust zin. Jammy. Velvety mouth-feel. I love Zin's, especially jammy zins. But this had a nice little kick to it. Not quite a tannin tang but definitely a punch on the first taste with a dry and smooth finish its a gorgeous deep dark color, no opacity. Full on red, red , red.

Wine's are totally like romance. You have to be in the mood for the type - fun, light, and flirty; Moscato, Reisling, Rose. Mischeivious; Syrahs and Pinot Noirs. Dangerous and seductive; Zinfindels and Barberas. Full blown drama: Cabs, Merlots, Sangioveses. (I think I am having gossip girl withdrawals as we have watched no TV for the last two weeks, including Netflix  ).

But I digress.

Tobin James Fat Boy: find it if you want a rockin' Zin that bites back.

Wine: Tobin James Ballistic Zinfandel

Nothing gets you back in the swig of things like a good Zinfandel- one of my favorite varietals.

We waited a week or so for the wine to settle (wine that has traveled shouldn't be opened for awhile) then I just couldn't take it anymore. I had to have a glass of home, of California, and a taste of my honeymoon.

Wine, a movie, and small bowls of snacks (wheat thins, chocolate chips, and fresh and easy sea salt crackers) mixed with a bunch of cozy throws and puppy cuddles is a good night.

The Zinfandel had a strong berry nose, and was full of spice and leathery notes. It still probably should of rested more, some notes were a little too leathery. Nonetheless, the rich, warm peppery berries that characterizes a zin were there. Maybe that's just what makes this zin, "ballistic".

Wine: Nonini Zinfandel

Nonini is a local winery, my favorite to be exact. Of all the Fresno wineries, Nonini has rocked my socks off on several wine trail occasions. The Husbabd and I adore Nonini so much, we had their Barbera and Burgundy served at our wedding.

It's hard to pick a favorite but the Burgundy would have to be it, hands down.

There are so many robust reds, the Barbera, Burgundy, Zin, Chianti, Alicante Bouschet, and a Sweet Zin so anyone can find a favorite.

These vines are local grown and 60-80 years old, and fermented in the same oak and redwood barrels that were used 3 generations ago.

This Zin is warm, with berry notes and a subtle spice, with a velvety mouth feel and a smooth finish.

Nonini is a staple in our home, a go to wine for any night, any occasion.