The 2005 Zinfandel Forchini Vineyard (416 cases) possesses high acidity, and is a much leaner, tart, austere wine with a jagged finish. Tel. (707) 433-6425; Fax (707) 433-6546

The 2005 Zinfandel Forchini Vineyard (416 cases) possesses high acidity, and is a much leaner, tart, austere wine with a jagged finish. Tel. (707) 433-6425; Fax (707) 433-6546

This single-vineyard Zin is a considerable improvement over the ‘04. The alcohol in the ‘05 is far lower, almost a full percent, yielding a more balanced and harmonious wine. But it’s hardly shy. It’s powerful in wild blackberry, cassis, raspberry, root beer, tangerine, chocolate and sweet thyme, while the tannic structure is rich enough to warrant bottle aging for a decade.——S.H.(2/1/2008)—— 92