Wine Guerrilla is a family affair, with Matt Rallia and his dad, Andrew Railla, overseeing daily operations at the winery in Forestville. The art that adorns the labels on every Wine Guerrilla bottle is painted by Andy’s daughter, Miranda Byk. The Rallia family is on a mission to craft the finest Zinfandel (and Zin blends like this wine) from California’s best Zin-growing regions. 

This delectable Wine Guerrilla 2012 “Rebel Cru” Red features 45% Zinfandel, and approximately 19% Petite Verdot, 13% Malbec, 9% Cabernet Franc, 9% Petite Sirah and 5% Alicante Bouchet.  

The blend yields a wine of balanced complexity. Big and full on the nose, smooth across the palate, it has bold, complex flavors that feature an opaque, blood red core spreading out to a ruby red lip. There’s an excellent bouquet of plum compote, blackberry preserves, dusty bramble, redwood bark, and sandalwood. Taking a sip, you’ll discover that the blackberry, allspice, vanilla profile from the Zinfandel takes center stage, while the Petite Verdot delivers the cherry and rhubarb backend. For such a complex blend, it’s extremely well integrated and balanced, with grippier tannins and nice peppy acidity. It tapers off slowly for an enticing finish that’s not too drying.

You could go a lot of ways for a pairing on this wine, but it would be particularly delicious with a classic lasagna bolognese, or something simpler from the grill.  Or have it by itself, and savor!