EAST COAST PALATE

If this wine drinks like a bold, jammy Zinfandel, that's because it practically is one.  There's genetic evidence now that show's the link between the "Californian" varietal and its cousin from the coasts of Puglia, Italy.
This wine has a dark reddish brown color.  It eminates scents of leather, raisins, dates and a bit of maple syrup.  All of these aromas carry over into the wine's taste.  The mouthfeel, which is thick and jammy, comes on strong at the beginning.  But the oakiness in this wine covers up some of the fruit flavors and then gets bigger toward the back end of the wine, leaving a very woody finish on the palate. 
The aromas really pulled me in, but then the wine's overall effect on me was not thrilling.  This is a good bottle to open up with burgers, pasta marinara, some venison stew, or maybe even a not-too-spicy chili.  It was on sale for $10, down from $13, but it isn't very balanced and gets a low B from me.
For all the people I meet while pouring tastes at various locations... I want to hear from you.  Comment back and let me know how your wines went over during the holidays.  The month of December is a festive one, and the wine will flow.  Cheers to all from East Coast Palate.