Titus, a small vineyard and winery near St. Helena in California’s Napa Valley, has a good reputation for Cabernet Sauvignon. When I saw its Zinfandel for $45 on the wine list at Pizzeria Bianco, Chris Bianco’s insanely popular spot in Phoenix, the red looked like the perfect choice for our fare. And it was.
The blueberry, plum and tomato leaf aromas and flavors had me on first sniff and sip. The sleek, supple texture was polished to a gleam. The wine, which contains 15 percent Petite Sirah, had richness without excess weight, power without the fangs of excess tannins or alcohol. Just what Zin should be. 92 points, non-blind.
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Bradley Silva
Fresno, CA — January 9, 2010 1:19pm ETHarvey Steiman
San Francisco, CA — January 9, 2010 4:46pm ETPizza-loving Phoenicians often send one of their party to Bianco to get their name on the list early, then go somewhere to hang out until shortly before the estimated seating time. Then you might have to wait in the bar for maybe a half hour, instead of 2 to 4 hours.