The 2010 version of the always-non-vintage Black Dot is another unusual blend. This one is composed of 35% grenache/30% zinfandel/25% syrah/10% cabernet sauvignon from two vineyards in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA (the cab is from the 2008 vintage; the others from the 2009 vintage). The '09 version had primitivo in it; this "year's" has zin instead.

But before you experts out there say zin and primitivo are genetically the same, don't bet the house on it. Google the subject and you will find lots of disagreement and equivocation out there. I'm not a plant geneticist, but I do know that at least according to the TTB (the arbiters of what may and may not be placed on a bottle of wine produced in this great country of ours or brought into it), the two are not considered synonymous.

I can also assure you that while this version of BD (as I call it) is similar in texture and style, it's not synoymous with the 2009 version either.

Thisone shows off its grenache and zin with concentrated red fruit compote notes, rounded out by a syrah-like vivacity. It pairs well with grilled fare and pizza.

334-case production; each variety vinted separately in neutral French oak.

14% alcohol

GET IT AT

Beacon for $24.99/bottle

First & Vine for $29.99/bottle

Maslow 6 for $24/bottle

P.D. O'Hurley's @ West End for $13/glass; $33/bottle

Dovetail for $55/bottle

Kennedy's for $15/glass; $45/bottle