Armida makes small lot, vineyard designated wines from various vineyards in Sonoma County including Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and several scintillating Dry Creek Zinfandels like this one from Maple Vineyards.

Aromas of ripe blackberry, coffee, chocolate and a subtle background of sweet oak are warm and inviting. But the wine really shines on the palate. Round and juicy up front, it abandons the sofa for a jog in the park turning peppery on the midpalate, zesty and bursting with enthusiasm despite showing some heft.

A dusty earth and dried flower component at the end of the midpalate receives textural support from a layer of soft fruit in the bass line with a bristly, chiseled seam on top that launches a long, flavorful finish with good fruit expression all the way to terminus.

Celebratory and rousing but it stays connected to its warm, soothing side, a wine of consolation and a fine match for Peter Gabriel’s In Your Eyes.

Technical Notes: From dry-farmed 85 yr. old vines, aged for 16 months in a mix of French, American, and Hungarian oak.

Score: 91

Price: $42

Alc: 14.2

Review based on an industry sample