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Ballentine Wines

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Ballentine 2004 Block 9 Reserve Zinfandel (Napa Valley)

Editors' Choice

Price $29

Better known for Cabernet, Ballentine brings a deft hand to their Block 9 Zin, which has earned high scores for years. The vineyard is in Calistoga, and the warmth has coaxed out intricate flavors of wild red and black berries and cherries, mocha, herbs and spices, with a distinct black pepper note. The tannins are thick, but very fine. Among the top Napa Zins… — S.H. (6/1/2008)

Ballentine 2006 Old Vines Zinfandel (Napa Valley)

Editors' Choice

Price $20

Ballentine has a fantastic, if little known, track record for Zinfandel, and they’ve actually been lowering their price lately, making this a great buy. It shows classic Napa structure, with Zin’s briary, brambly berry character and a spicy finish. The grapes come from the winery’s Pocai vineyard, and while alcohol is high, the wine feels balanced. Drink now. — S.H. (11/1/2009)

Ballentine 2004 Maple Lane Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)

Price $60

Impressive by any standards, this Cab is doubly so for having such great balance from a hot-hot vintage. The acids and tannins are firm, but best of all are the flavors, rich in ripe blackberry, cassis, spicy plum pudding and sweet new oak. Just a beautiful wine right now, and should evolve interestingly for 10 years. — S.H. (8/1/2007)

Ballentine 2005 Pocai Vineyard Old Vines Chenin Blanc (Napa Valley)

Best Buy

Price $14

The vines date to the early 1970s, and the vineyard is on the valley floor near Calistoga. Winemaker Bruce Devlin worked at Boschendal, South Africa’s first winery to barrel ferment Chenin Blanc. Dry and crisp, this wine shows wildflower and citrus flavors, and a sweet, green-pea note with an edge of toasted wood. Not only is this an elegant table white, it should… — S.H. (11/15/2006)

Ballentine 2003 Old Vines Block 11 Zinfandel (Napa Valley)

Price $25

Here’s a Zin with the potential to develop into something very special. It should have been held back a year longer, to let the elements meld. Deliciously ripe raspberry-cherry fruit, lush, complex tannins, a subtle overlay of oak and fine acidity need until 2006 to knit, and when they do, look out. — S.H. (5/1/2005)

Ballentine 2000 Block 9 Zinfandel (Napa Valley)

Price $27

This wine shows all the class and elegance of a fine Napa Cab, except it’s indisputably Zin, with its brambly fruit flavors and spicy, peppery edge. The oak is rich and charred, the tannins sweet and ripe, the texture as smooth as velvet. Pretty much the best that Napa can do with Zinfandel. — S.H. (9/1/2004)

Ballentine 2006 Pocai Vineyard Old Vines Chenin Blanc (Napa Valley)

Best Buy

Price $15

Ballentine’s Chenins nearly always impress, and this is one of their best. Bone dry and very crisp, almost tart, in acids, the wine shows intriguing lime, wildflower and sweet French green bean flavors. — S.H. (8/1/2007)

Ballentine 2006 Fig Tree Vineyard Petite Sirah (St. Helena)

Price $35

A beautiful, full-bodied Petite Sirah that brings a Napa-esque balance and elegance to this variety, which can be rustic. The tannic structure is refined, while the blackberry and cherry flavors have a ripe sweetness. Should develop for some years. — S.H. (12/1/2008)

2009 Native 9 Rancho Ontiveros Vineyards

A lovely Pinot, dry, crisp and silky, with ripe raspberry, strawberry…

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