Kunde Reserve Century Vines Zinfandel, Sonoma Valley 2005

Kunde Family Estate, founded in 1904 by Louis Kunde, is located in the heart of Sonoma Valley. Their estate is a remarkable and diverse 1,850-acre property with dramatic shifts in its majestic landscape: It stretches along 2 miles of the scenic Sonoma Highway, rises 1,400 feet, and spans across rolling hills. And, the majority of the property sits on a volcanic band of "Red Hill" soil derived from lava flows formed 5 million years ago. Now in their 2nd century of winegrowing, Kunde Family Estate is committed to the creation of ultra-premium, sustainably farmed wines that express an authentic core of aromas and flavors. The Reserve series represents the finest expression of the Kunde Estate vineyards through world-class Zinfandel, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon. This Zinfandel was produced from gnarled, head-trained, 120-plus-year-old vines that were planted in 1882 and is a real smooth operator. The first sip is silky and elegant — like the Continental in his smoking jacket.

Savor the fresh flavors of berry fruit, bittersweet chocolate, and well-integrated tannins. Introduce this wine to the perfect match: roast chicken with wild rice stuffing or gorgonzola ravioli in brown butter.