Won't you be my Ballentine?

Wow that's a lot of cheese for just a bottle of wine. I probably could have gotten away with a title like that in February but...

This time I decided to try my luck with a highly rated and normally moderately priced wine at Cost Plus World Market. The 2002 Old Vines Ballentine Zinfandel was a silver medal winner at the recent 2006 San Francisco Wine Competition. Normally priced at $16 to $20 just about everywhere, I found it a steal at $7.99. I just had to get it.

The aroma was delightfully deep with rich cherry and cranberry. The taste was smooth and crisp for a red with a spicy finish. The only complaint I had was that there seemed to be a bit too much raspberry which created a hint of cough syrup hangover. I can see how this wine would be liked by many as it gives multiple facets with none being offensive. I would suggest that you pair it with a lightly seasoned red meat as it provides plenty of spice which may not mesh with some marinades or seasonings. No cheese needed as I provided plenty with the title above ;-).

Overall I would give it a 6.5 on the Griffin scale for taste and an 8 for value (at 7.99).