Ravenswood Vintners Blend Zinfandel 2002

Very smooth, fruity, big spicy flavor. One of my favorites, and such a good deal!!

August 2007

The epitome of mature vine, regional Zinfandel our Sonoma County Zinfandel Old Vine has become recognized by most as our flagship product. Many even opine that dollar for dollar it's the best wine we offer. Sonoma County Zinfandel tastes the way great Zinfandel is supposed to taste; full, spicy and richly berry-like, but balanced with firm astringency. Our blend, from several vineyards in the northern part of the County, also has the black cherry and mint characteristics that we've come to expect from that region. Most of the grapes are from 60- to 80-year-old vines on the Dry Creek read more...benchland west of Healdsburg - a location that many wine enthusiasts (including, presumably, the intuitive Italians who originally chose to plant in this area) consider ideal for Zinfandel. Another large portion comes from a vineyard near Cloverdale which produces small-berried, compact bunches, hence, exceedingly pungent flavors. The full, aromatic Cloverdale character combined with the rich Dry Creek fruit produces a wine that is simultaneously powerful and elegant. Subjected to long skin contact, aged 16 months in French oak, and fined lightly with fresh egg whites, this wine carries the rich, opulent and full-flavored character that has become the Ravenswood trademark. We expect the Sonoma County Zinfandel to soften and develop an excellent interplay between bottle age and youthful fruit in about five years. It will, however, continue to grow and offer pleasurable drinking for many years to come.    (hide)

Dry-farmed and low-yielding vines produce intensely flavorful grapes. Unique plum spice supported by fine, ripe tannins.

The Vintners Blend has a rich, somewhat soft, moderately complex, spicy, ripe, raspberry aroma. The flavors are those of black cherries, mint and vanilla with a sturdy, slightly astringent finish. The freshness and youth that we strive for in the Vintners Blend allows it to be released with slightly less barrel and bottle age. This forceful but friendly wine is a wonderful complement to pasta, poultry, red meats and other highly-flavored dishes.

This is a staple that we have in the house at all times. I fine, affordable wine.

February 2008

Every wine lover has an opinion on what wine you should drink with BBQ or grilled fare. Some always go for a rose. Others think simple, but spicy reds are best. I've even heard Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc as options. In my opinion, there is no such thing as the "ultimate" BBQ wine given the wide range of foods that end up over open flame. That said, I really love to serve Zinfandel with grilled beef, especially full-flavored, well-seasoned steaks or kebabs. So, drinking Ravenswood's 2002 Monte Rosso Zinfandel was a no-brainer choice. Teeth stainingly dark in the glass, this read more...wine has impressive aromatics that jump right out of the glass – sweet red berry (raspberry and cherry), vanilla, sweet and savory spice. The enchanting, alluring nose alone makes this wine an experience. As with most Zin, this isn't a low alcohol bottling, coming in at 15.4% ABV, but the wine wasn't "hot" at all. Full, round, mouth-filling flavors and body balance the alcohol extremely well. Bold but smooth, this wine is all about cherries and chocolate and spice. I'm glad that I bought a few bottles because the Monte Rosso vineyard is owned by Gallo now, so Ravenswood won't be making this wine anymore.    (hide)