Robert Biale, Zinfandel Black Chicken, Oak Knoll District

***See previous notes It keeps getting better!!! The wine looks tawny colored. The legs are medium. There is no sediment in the bottle. It smells like blackberry, blueberry, strawberry jam, nutmeg, clove and violet. It tastes like blackberry, blueberry, fig, clove and nutmeg. The body is medium/full. The wine has polished texture. The wine finishes long. The wine has medium acidity. This paired perfectly with today's dinner of grilled short ribs, grilled chicken thighs, and a pizza

2019 vintage

Very tasty! Just what you’d expect from a well made Napa Zin with enough age to soften the hard edges. This didn’t have harsh alcohol notes but had exuberant fruit and a nice finish.

2019 vintage

PnP. Wonderful nose right out of the gate. Juicy dark berry fruit notes, lively acidity & soft tannins all nicely in balance, medium long finish. Drinking exceptionally well right now.

2019 vintage

PnP & showing big red & black fruit notes up front, balanced acidity to keep it fresh and nicely integrated tannins. A bigger wine than expected, quite enjoyable and as good on day 2.

2019 vintage

Nose was a delight of floral elements - maybe hibiscus but no earthy tones. Flavors were delightful with lots of jammy black fruit - lots of blackberry and black raspberry! The tannins were reserved but expressive and the final finish was long and delightful with that black fruit maintaining its presence!

2019 vintage

Nose was all dark fruit and an organic like sage. Flavors followed with dark fruit and some nice acidity of tart red fruit with a beautiful spice that lingered long. A good wine

2019 vintage

Quick decant. Nose of wild blackberry, tarragon, and dried herbs. Piles of herbs lead the palate with rustic red raspberries, zesty acidity, and a hint of lavender. Fluffy tannins, black tea, black raspberry, and minty notes on the finish before a light but lingering oak note.

2019 vintage

Sold to El Gaucho - Bellevue

2019 vintage

Quick decant. Nose of rustic red berries, black tea, and a strong prune aroma showing both fresh and stewed aspects. Red plum, zesty wild berry, and raisin on the palate. Bay leaf, dried sage, and dried mint mingle with dusty black raspberry on the finish, ending with dark chocolate and lingering oak. A bit on the dark side of prune/raisin for our tastes.

2019 vintage

Nose of herbal essence like thyme and clove. The flavors were all ripe dark fruit fruit and can be considered jammy. Lovely flavors with a finish of a sharp spice that lingers long. A great representation of Zin!

2019 vintage

Wow!!! What a difference. ***See previous notes Biggest change is the integration of everything. No longer just a messy fruit bomb. Balance has entered the arena. Medium finish. Excellent wine, but needed some time. Drink cellar cool temperature and decant. Great with Bulgogi short ribs. (Thanks Britt)

2019 vintage

This is a compelling mix of fresh and ripe with racy berry notes and substantial body and mouthfeel.

2019 vintage

PnP, Very aromatic with blackberry, black raspberry, mocha, spice, plum and light oak. Medium body, not heavy or jammy, has good acidity. Loaded with fruit, blackberry, black raspberry, mocha, spice and plum. Long smooth finish with soft tannins. Drinking really well now.

2019 vintage

This bottle was chosen to pair with chicken and pork bbq and it did nicely with both types of meats.Served slightly above cellar temperature without decanting.

2019 vintage

Funky nose shows muddled black raspberry fruit, sage, wet tarragon, and rubber aromas. Black plum, blackberry, loamy earth and savory herbal notes on the palate. Slightly sour plum on the finish with coffee grounds and some bitter chicory and oak. At this tasting, it was missing the fruit and zest one usually finds with this bottling.

2019 vintage

Really good. Plenty of dark fruit flavors, but not overly sweet. Light tannins are nice. Would buy again.

2019 vintage

Hard to add on the great tasting notes already provided for this wine. I’d say that it’s drinking nicely now in early 2024 (+5). One of the better Black Chickens - probably due to holding it longer than I usually do. Definitely worth the wait if you have patience. Time gives this a richness and depth I haven’t experienced when opening them earlier. More unique and a better QPR than I’ve previously experienced. Still kind of pricy for a Zin …

2019 vintage

Nose is really powerful, kind of reminiscent of Syrah heavy Châteauneuf or even a northern Rhône. Lots of dark fruit, blackberry, black cap raspberry, a dose of sweet fresh plum, lingering mocha and tiny piquant spice note in the mid, tannins are microscopic grained but present and luscious. My first Black Chicken, and frankly a divine example of what Napa can do with the varietal. It FEELS healthy to drink. Just lovely. Don’t drink this wine too soon, 5 years …

2019 vintage

A very delightful wine!nose of very ripe dark fruit and even some date essence. Flavors followed with very ripe cherry fruit and descending into sweet dark fruit - some prune and date. Finish was soft with dark fruit! A nice change from tannic cabs.

2019 vintage

Bright and elegant. Sweet and savory. All the awesome Black Chicken qualities.

2019 vintage

Black Chicken is simply consistently good. A go to at anytime.

2019 vintage

Not even sure I am drinking the same bottle from a couple of years ago. Dark purple in color, full bodied. Thick blueberry compote, pie filling. Some oak, and baking spices including vanilla. Tastes like the nose. A bruiser of a wine. Unctuous, and sticky. Massive blueberry fruit explosion with residual oak and a medium plus finish. Definitely needs a bold, fatty meat dish to pair with. Drank cellar cool. I like this wine. I think in two more years …

2019 vintage

Nose of blackberry pie, pie crust, fresh sorrel, and oak. Deep, dark, and juicy blackberry fruit laced with a melange of fresh herbs, cinnamon, and bourbon notes. Finish starts slow but builds with oak, fat tannins, acidity, and black cherry into a thunderous finish, with the oak dominating and lingering long.

2019 vintage

PnP. Nose of black shoe polish, black cherry, and dried seaweed. Powerful punch of black cherry and black raspberry fruit is lush and alcoholic with a burst of energy followed by minerals, mint, tarragon, and dried thyme. Herbal notes build on the finish, adding blackberry, graphite and stones before the oak bites in. 93 points.

2019 vintage

Classic example of what Zinfandel should be.

2019 vintage

Quick decant. Nose of black raspberries, cinnamon and nutmeg. Blackberry, black cherry, red plum, and wet stones on the palate. Finish adds fleshy, ripe strawberry and raspberry fruit that spreads out across the tongue and then adds a rustic red fruit and oak ending.

2019 vintage

tight, fruity but reasonably balanced, no part of this thrusts forward, it's "medium".

2019 vintage

Yum

2019 vintage

a favorite

2019 vintage

Great wine. One of the better Biales

2019 vintage

Meg shared with Deb & Ingrid

2019 vintage

Sadly this was our last Black Chicken until our spring shipment arrives.

2019 vintage

PnP then decanted. Big bold raspberry, cherry, strawberry, blackberry, cinnamon, black pepper, leather. The fruit flavors never verge on being overly jammy.

2019 vintage

Nice easy drinking wine had with goat cheese and crackers

2019 vintage

Had this out at a restaurant and will definitely be picking up a case. Wish I could've let it open up more. Solid nose of cherry and black fruit. This was very smooth on the palate and had notes of oak and vanilla. Drank like a cab. Very good.

2019 vintage

it certainly was drinkable, but it left me wondering if it might want a bit more aging. we have several bottles, so I think we might wait another year before trying another

2019 vintage

Rocking wine 🍷. 12 days of Zinfandel

2019 vintage

Just what you want in a Zinfandel. Great balance of wonder blue fruit, spice and acidity. Love it.

2019 vintage

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Robert Biale, Zinfandel Black Chicken, Oak Knoll District

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