Ravenswood Old Vine Zinfandel 2009, Sonoma County, California, USA

Of the larger producers of Zinfandel, Ravenswood and Ridger are my favourite, their wines are more complex and balanced and with good use of blending. This Old Vine from Ravenswood is a good alue for money, a blend of 84% Zinfandel, 8% Petit Sirah, 6% Carignane and 2% Mixed Blacks with generous, but still well balanced alcohol at 14.5%.

This wine opened up with aromas of ripe berries, plum, cherry, white pepper and wood smoke. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, with a solid core of ripe fruit, rhubarb, fresh acidity and fine grainy tannins. This Zin finish was long with a good depth of flavours, fine tannins on a nice acidity lift. I love this kind of Zinfandel with ripe and rich fruit but not over done or jammy or to alcoholic. This is the third bottle which I opened and they have all been consistent. Strongly recommended, score 91 points.

Purchased May 12, 2012 LCBO New Release (673798) at $23.95