HandCraft Artisan Collection Malbec 2012: Ripe blueberry, cherry, plum jam, bit of zin spice, soak of oak, soft tannin, good acidity; plush mouth, smooth drinker; mostly malbec with some zin thrown in to create the medium-heavy mouth, ripe fruit forward, Central Valley California style of value-priced reds (it is made in Mateca, just south of Stockton). Olive Garden apparently pours a bunch of this, so you may know it from there; it is natural pair with Italian food. This is a female-friendly play (winery owner and third generation vintner Cheryl Indelicato makes the claim herself) that will be enjoyed by folks who want their wine with some fruity sweetness; a red wine for those getting into red wine. $12
