Even better is the 250,000-case cuvee of 100% Zinfandel, the 7 Deadly Zins 2009. This hugely popular wine spends 12 months in both French and American oak. Sexy and endearing, it offers a deep ruby/purple color, full-bodied, corpulent flavors and abundant berry fruit, pepper and spice notes. Drink this seductive, full throttle, classic Zinfandel over the next several years.

This is Michael David’s flagship Zin, a mighty production that’s popular and well-priced at $16. Full of big, ripe flavors of bacon, black fruit and toasty oak, it’s plummy, juicy, full-octane-flavored, peppery, all you want in a Zin of this style. V.B.