Balance, 2009, Mendocino County
The winemaker, Heath Dolan, was proud enough of the wine to put his or her name on the label, so she or he was presumably
proud of it. I bought it back in 2012 and it's a cellar lurker, so maybe it's past its intended prime.
It's labeled as a field blend and it does indeed taste like a typical California field blend from the old vineyards originally owned by farmers from Italy and various Balkan countries. However, it has an odd sawdust flavor and texture, not the same as the usual oak.
Strong acidity, very mild tannins. It's drinkable, but I don't know that I'd rush over to Bottle Barn and try to find another bottle. $24, 14.7% alcohol.