Ballentine Vineyards Zinfandel Reserve Block 9

Okay but wimpy for a zin, I like em big/bold

Consistent with previous notes with the expection of noticeable alcohol still very good, but not my style.

Went great with our roast tonight!

Popped and poured. Nose of spice, blueberry, pepper, black cherry. On the palate, blueberry, blackberry, pepper. This has come into balance, but the fruit has faded considerably since last tasting. Drink over the short term.

Added to crock pot by accident. Was really good though

Hamburger-off

Thought it was time drink up these bottles. My timing was impeccable. WOW... near the top of maturity... soft tannins, big taste. Pepper, dark notes. Will enjoy these over the next few weeks. Might even be good with Thanksgiving dinner.

Consistent with last tasting. Still needs a little more time. Hold.

Picked this up at the BevMo! 5-cent sale about a year ago - $20 for two bottles. Easily identifiable Zinfandel nose. On the palate, heavy vanilla, pepper, and smokey wood flavors -- too heavily oaked for my palate, though, this has integrated fairly well. There is a core of sweet, brambly, Zin fruit hiding behind the oak treatment. Medium finish with some heat from the 14.8% alcohol. Not bad, but heavy oak treatment is not my style. This bottle was …

Big berry filled nose. Mildly jammy rasberries, vanilla and slightly oaky, nicely complex. Definately benefited from decanting. Liked this quite a bit.

Popped and poured. Nice nose of spice and blackberry. On the palate was disjointed, good black fruits and spice. Unbalanced acidity. Finish was a little hot with soft tannins. This really evolved over the course of the evening as it got more air it started to come into balance and turned into an excellent drink. Stil, this was below the high bar set by previous vintages. Decant a minimum of two hours or let them sleep for 2-3 more years. …