90 Points - Wine Enthusiast
Food Pairings
Roasted meats (turkey, pork, lamb, beef, and brisket), hearty dishes with tomato-based sauces, and spicy cuisine. Its fruity, peppery, and spicy notes complement sweet and savory dishes, including those with barbecue sauce and rich, creamy, or roasted vegetables.
Vineyard
Pocai Vineyard lies at the base of a gentle alluvial fan in the Calistoga AVA, framed by mountain ranges at the northernmost end of the Napa Valley. Well-drained gravelly soil, optimum sunlight, and hot summer days tempered by cool coastal breezes in the evening provide perfect ripening conditions for expressive Zinfandel. The Ballentine family draws on their 100-year heritage of farming this site, first planted by the maternal grandfather, Libero Pocai. Supple, pure, layered and bursting with energy, the spirited personality of the resulting wine is testament to the pedigree of the land.
Vintage
The 2019 growing season started with ample rains and welcome soil saturation. An uncharacteristically wet May kept vintners on their toes overseeing vigorous vine growth and a delayed bloom. A long Indian summer followed with mild temp-eratures, allowing the fruit to ripen at a slow, even pace. This enabled winegrowers to manage picking schedules for optimal ripeness and quality in the fruit. The resulting wines are exceptional and elegant.
Winemakers: Alison Frichtl Hollister and Megan Gunderson
Varietal: 100% Zinfandel
Appellation: Calistoga, Napa Valley
Vineyard: Pocai Vineyard
Barrel Aging: 14 Months in 25% New French Oak
Alcohol: 15.3%
93 Points
A beautiful garnet color in the glass. Aromas of pomegranate, vibrant cranberry, candied strawberry, gravel, and rose perfume lead to a palate of cinnamon, clove, tea leaf, bing cherry, a touch of earth, and an opulent, fleshy texture.
97 Points
Aromas of blackberries, graphite, and crushed rock, along with cedar, tobacco leaf, cassis, and a medley of dry herbs and spice.
A substantial mouthfeel, full-bodied structure, firm tannins gracefully interweave, establishing a flawless equilibrium of acidity and pleasing fruit. Well-balanced acidity collaborate harmoniously to accentuate the intricate flavors of berry compote, spices, and oak nuances reminiscent of mocha.
95 Points
This stellar Napa Valley Red Blend marries lush plum and cherry with Malbec's dark berry depth and Petit Verdot's structure and spice. Layered with notes of blackberry, violet, and cocoa, this silky wine finishes with smooth tannins and a whisper of toasted oak. Robust and mouth-filling, with spicy nuances, smooth tannins, firm structure, and a long lingering finish.
92 Points
Deep floral notes (violets), blackberry, black cherry, and cassis. Driven by the mountain's steep, cool-climate terroir, it balances rich notes of blackberry and pomegranate seamlessly intertwined with dark plum, cocoa dust, and roasted mocha, hints of roasted mocha and spice undertones add depth to its complex profile, culminating in a bold, yet elegant finish.
94 Points
Aromas of candied apple, lemon peel, and toasted marcona almond. The palate is rich yet finely balanced, offering a creamy texture lifted by bright acidity. Delicate and composed, it finishes with a gentle mineral snap and lingering citrus.
97 Points
Rich dark fruit flavors of blackberry and cherry with notes of baking spices, licorice, coffee, and chocolate that interlace seamlessly with complexity, creating a wine that is both structured and delightfully supple, achieving an ideal balance of tension and grace. Artfully composed of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon with 17% Cabernet Franc, resulting in harmonious depth and freshness.
95 Points
A powerful expression of Cabernet Sauvignon. On the nose, it's enticing and fragrant, bursting with fresh blueberries, blackberry tart, cedar, black olives, and hints of spicebox. Its palate provides big, round chewy tannins, sweet ripe black cherries, blackberry cordial, Bourbon-soaked maraschino cherries, maple roasted walnuts, and a touch of vanilla.
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