I discovered Dashe Cellars a couple years ago at the Dry Creek Passport weekend event. A husband a wife team, Michael and Anne Dashe are a formidable winemaking duo. Both are accomplished winemakers in their own right with Michael bringing experience from Ridge Vineyards and Far Niente and Anne from Bordeaux. After that long weekend of tasting everything Dry Creek Valley had to offer, especially the Zinfandels, I found the Dashe Zinfandels to be particularly refined and balanced. The wines from Dashe stood tall among the other incredible wines from the Zinfandel paradise that is Dry Creek Valley. Fast forward to just the other day when I was shopping for an affordable wine from Spain for WBW #35 . Once I had my WBW wine in hand, I wandered past the Zinfandel section. Much to my surprise, the 2005 Dashe Zin caught my eye. How can you miss the label with a monkey riding a whale! I just had to pick up a bottle to see if my memory of this wine from a couple vintages ago was on the mark. I was rewarded once again! This was an absolutely superb wine with both terrific balance and varietal character. Perfectly ripe rasberries with hints of chocolate and that characteristic Zin spice are masterfully blended together in a lovely soft mouthfeel. The finish of this wine somehow tails off as both dry and sweet at the same time. A terrific wine that will complement a meal, a few chocolates, or just all by itself.