Over the weekend I ran into a racy blend of Zinfandel, Syrah, and Cabernet called "relative red." It's from Joel Gott, who seems to know just about everybody in California's Napa Valley. Considering his connections and family, I find the play on words apropos. The 2009 shows off the Zinfandel component quite well. Fleshy and bright, the palate offers pure sweet black fruits and a modicum of tannin. The Syrah and Cabernet keep the Zinfandel in line, and the whole thing presents itself soundly as the crowd-pleaser it is. As the name suggests, serve it with family and friends. Costs about $13.
Michael McVittie reviews wines available locally