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I must admit I have a soft spot for red Zinfandel, aka Primitivo (Italy) aka Crljenak Kaštelanski/Tribidrag (Croatia). Not the cheap white Zinfandel. I am sure it has something to due with the long, arduous journey the grape made from the middle of Europe to California in the 1800s. But there is something else, something quintessentially American about this grape. The grape loves sunlight and who in Oregon (or California) doesn't love their share of sunlight.

It features ripe, in your face, raspberry, blackberry, anise and pepper flavors. Some call it fruit-forward. To me, it feels like you're driving a convertible down 101 south along the coast of California, wind in your hair, sun on your face, without a care in the world. It's not pretentious nor particularly expensive compared to other major red wines. When poured, the wine coats the glass like silk. Powerful, savory and intellectually vibrant. I'd like to think if Jimi Hendrix lived longer, he would have enjoyed red Zinfandel.

Some of the best Zinfandel vines are found in California but it's also grown in southern Oregon and in the Columbia Gorge and elsewhere.

We are returning to Caspian Kabob, the former popular food truck on NE Mississippi that is now a bricks and mortar restaurant. They make delicious food at reasonable prices. www.kabobpdx.com

We will be enjoying among the best red Zinfandel producers in existence, this side of Turley. The wines we'll be having are below:

1. 2021 Martinelli Zinfandel Giuseppe & Luisa Sonoma County Russian River Valley - $60

Expressive, perfumed and a pleasure to drink—it offers restraint over power, detail over density and is one of those graceful California Zinfandels that seems more akin to Pinot Noir with its berry fruit and earthy layers. It has alluring scents of raspberry jam and tangerine with accents of lavender, mushrooms and fallen leaves, and the medium-bodied palate is supple and juicy with layer after layer of perfumed fruit. Rated 97 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

2. 2016 Bella Vineyards Zinfandel Hills and Benches Sonoma County Dry Creek Valley - $38

Made predominantly using grapes from our famed Lily Hill Vineyard, this wine offers bold dark berry layers of blackberry and boysenberry, with underlying notes of cloves and plum. On the palate, it is big and rich, with a broad, mouth-coating presence that carries the wine to a long, complex finish. Winery

3. 2020 Ridge Zinfandel Benito Dusi Central Coast Paso Robles - $45

It's more medium-bodied and elegant, with classic Zinfandel notes of red and black plums, peppery herbs, cigar smoke, and sweet spices. I love its forward, seamless texture, and it has soft tannins as well as flawless balance. It's another gorgeous 2021 from this team with so much to love. Enjoy bottles over the coming decade. Rated 94 Jeb Dunnuck

4. 2021 Martinelli Zinfandel Jackass Vineyard Sonoma County Russian River Valley - $116

Laced with dark red/black fruit, leather, licorice, dried herbs and spice. It is an especially savory Zinfandel with plenty of complexity, but perhaps a bit less overt fruit than most of the other Zinfandel bottlings. This is such a distinctive wine. Rated 93 Vinous

5. 2018 Ridge Zinfandel Jimsomare Santa Cruz Mountains - $40

Opaque purple color with nose of baked cherry cobbler, ripe plum, crushed rock and exotic oak spices. Rich and full-bodied with dark bramble fruit and lively acidity. Winery

6. 2021 Martinelli Zinfandel Vellutini Ranch Sonoma County Russian River Valley - $60

Loaded with pure red berry fruits—raspberries, strawberries and red cherry candy—plus nuances of orange peel, peach, conifer and wildflowers. The medium-bodied palate is supple and alluring, with layered, juicy fruit that calls you in for another sip. This will age, but I would be inclined to drink it on the earlier side for all its pretty fruit and perfume. Rated 96 WA

7. 2013 David Akiyoshi Zinfandel Central Valley Lodi - $22

The wine looks ruby colored with medium legs. It smells like cranberry, cinnamon and oak. It tastes like prune, cranberry, oak and a light strawberry jam. The body is medium/full. The wine has angular texture and finishes long. The wine has medium acidity and medium tannin. CellarTracker

8. 2015 The Federalist Wine Zinfandel Bourbon Barrel Aged Mendocino - $18

94% Zinfandel, 3% Petite Sirah and 3% Merlot sourced from Mendocino County. Different blocks were fermented separately to preserve ideal characteristics of each. Shows intense raspberry, black fruit, smoke, caramel and vanilla with a touch of clove spice and rich caramel. The wine lingers on a lengthy finish. Winery

The $50 fee covers just the wines mentioned above. You will get your own food bill.

To FULLY RSVP you must pay by Venmo, Zelle or PayPal. Please let me know which of these you would like to use to pay.