I unabashedly love a great Zinfandel. Zinfandel is one of the world’s great varietals, and was certainly one of the founding varietals of California. One of the standout producers of California Zinfandel, Robert Biale has roots in the 1930s where Pietro Biale planted Zinfandel on the Napa Valley floor. HIs son, Aldo, took over making wine during the Prohibition, using the code name ‘Black Chicken.’ Aldo’s Vineyard still stands today in Napa and is one of the premium vineyard sites that Robert Biale sources from, as well as esteemed spots like the Monte Rosso Vineyard and the Stagecoach Vineyard.
Winemaker Tres Goetting serves as Robert Biale winemaker, working alongside viticulturist Robert ‘Bob’ Biale. Tres has over 26 years of winemaking experience. I loved the new 2018 Robert Biale ‘Black Chicken’ Zinfandel (OB, 92) which is superb for the price and shows great tension with lovely milk chocolate tones. One of the best Zinfandel wines I have tried this year, the 2018 Robert Biale ‘Varozza Vineyard’ Zinfandel (OB, 95) shows amazing balance and richness with a silky smooth mid-palate. This is a must-buy for any serious collector of California Zinfandel. Learn more about this storied Napa property at http://biale.com Here are the great new wines by Robert Biale.
2018 Robert BIale Vineyards ‘Black Chicken’ Zinfandel- Sourced from a host of vineyards throughout Sonoma and Napa Valley, the 2018 ‘Black Chicken’ Zinfandel shows dill and white pepper tones alongside chocolate and wild blackberry on the nose. The palate has tons of freshness and a silky mouthfeel. Layers of pretty red and dark fruits collide with minerals and milk chocolate tones on the palate. Gorgeous now in its youth, this beautiful wine will cellar well over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2020-2028- 92
2018 Robert Biale ‘Old Kraft Vineyard’ Zinfandel- The ‘Old Kraft Vineyard’ is a storied site that dates back to the 1860s. This parcel was replanted in the 1890s, making it one of the oldest in Napa. The texture is just stunning as ripe red plum, dark currants, milk chpcoale and coffee ground tones all come together in the glass. With plenty of richness and verve, this beautiful wine will provide drinking enjoyment for at least another decade. Drink 2020-2033- 93
2018 Robert Biale ‘R.W. Moore Vineyard’ Zinfandel- The ‘R.W. Moore Vineyard’ is a famed site located in Coombsville, founded back in 1905. On the nose this shows bright red cherry and black plum tones that collide with smoky undertones. The palate is silky smooth once on the mouth, showing a great sense of elegance. Layers of red and dark fruits parade with minerals, coffee grounds and shades of dried herbs on this complex palate. Sensational to enjoy in its youth, this has at least another decade left. Drink 2020-2033- 94
2018 Robert Biale ‘Bedrock Vineyard’ Zinfandel- The ‘Bedrock Vineyard’ is one of the oldest sites in California, founded in the 1850s and is currently owned by the Peterson family. This Zinfandel shows ripe red cherry and pomegranate seed tones with coffee grounds on the nose. The palate is soft and generous, showing off its silky mouthfeel. Layers of rich red fruits dance with chocolate, coffee grounds and shades of anise. Round and generous, with great length, this beautiful wine has ten to fifteen years ahead of it. Drink 2020-2033- 94
2018 Robert Biale ‘Grande Vineyard’ Zinfandel- Located in the Napa Valley, the ‘Grande Vineyard’ was planted by an Italian immigrant Theodosio Grande in 1920. Needing an hour of air to be fully evolved, once aroused this shows off bright red raspberry and potpourri tones that mingle with smoke and ripe red plum that all mingle in the glass. The palate is rich and viscous with great tension. Layesr of red raspberry coulis and black currants collide with roasted figs, coffee grounds and black licorice on the palate. Delicious to savor in its youth, this beautiful wine will cellar well for another decade or more. Drink 2020-2033- 93
2018 Robert Biale ‘Varozza Vineyard’ Zinfandel- One of the consistently great Zinfandel wines made in North America, the ‘Varozza Vineyard’ is located in Saint Helena and was planted over a century ago. Once on the mouth, the silky mouthfeel is simply fabulous. The veil of tension and light vein of sanity that runs through the core of dark currants, black plum, roasted figs and coffee ground flavors all impress. The sense of minerality and length add to the enjoyment. This is highly elegant but has plenty of stuffing. Marvelous in its youth, the 2018 ‘Varozza Vineyard’ Zinfandel will have a long life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2035- 95
2018 Robert Biale ‘Royal Punishers’ Petite Sirah- The ‘Royal Punishers’ Petite Sirah stands inky in the glass. Rich blueberry pie and dark chocolate covered espresso bean with graphite tones all come together magically in the glass. Full-throttle, with a great veil of tension and serious richness, this beautiful new hedonistic Petite Sirah will cellar well over the next decade. Drink 2020-2030- 93
2017 Robert Biale ‘E.B.A’ Petite Sirah- The ‘E.B.A.’ saw more barrel time than the ‘Royal Punishers’ being aged for 30 months in French oak barrels before bottling. Rich Turkish coffee, violets and blueberry compote with graphite undertones all fill the nose. The palate is rich and viscous with a great veil of tension. Layers of dark currants, espresso bean and blueberry cordial all come together in the glass. This is full-throttle stuff that has a great veil of acidity that runs through the core of dark and blue fruits. Seductive and outstanding to savor in its youth, this outstanding wine will cellar well for at least another decade. Drink 2020-2032- 94