My mom gives tours of wine country, so sometimes gives us extra bottles from those she acquires. My husband gets free wine sometimes, usually gifts from people at work. One such find was 2005 Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel from Dashe Cellars. Usually we drink the free bottles, enjoy them, and move on to the next.

But Dashe has become a favorite of mine. I've purchased several bottles and should probably just bite the bullet and buy a case. (My birthday is next month, y'all! I'll happily take some, although there are restrictions on shipping wine to CA, just as Argentina doesn't let anyone send leather in because they have plenty enough already to send out.)

I wish I were sophisticated enough to spew forth the appropriate vocabulary to describe why I enjoy this particular wine. It is definitely smoky, and not too watery. It has several different distinct notes, all of which are a melody rather than a cacophony with a bitter finish. The weight is pleasing and I have found it accompanies anything I decide to eat alongside.

Joshua Green of Wine & Spirits Magazine writes: "The soft, meaty tannins of this wine slowly release its zinfadel flavors of sassafras, cool, dark cherry and warm mulberries. It continues to lengthen with air, a Dry Creek edge to the texture that will suit Mediterranean-style roast lamb."

Certainly I am not going to have a career as a wine expert, but I thought I'd mention this special find since I've enjoyed it immensely. For me to actually buy wine when typically it floats its way into our home on its own is a huge complement to Dashe Cellars.