2003 Leaping Lizard Napa Valley Zinfandel

Since the 2000 vintage (I think), the Leaping Lizard wines I've tried have presented very good values. Their Napa Zins, Carneros Pinot Noirs, and Cabernets have been consistently good and cheap. This, however, is probably the least impressive LL Zin I've had, though it's still a decent value.

Medium deep ruby-purple color. Medium intensity nose of sweet cream, blackberries, sarsaparilla, and scorched earth. Relatively linear flavors of ripe, port-like blackberry fruit and minerals. A tad astringent on the finish, where a REAL Zin should have been a bit fleshier. A little short on the finish too. Not bad, and as I said, a decent value, but not good enough to repeat. 83. About $12 at all (most?) of the Spec's stores.

What the heck IS Leaping Lizard anyway? I can't find any information on this winery, and hadn't even heard of it until a few years ago.