Robert Biale Vineyards
There is little question that Zinfandel is one of the world’s great varietals, as Zin served as 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. For years Tres Goetting has served as Robert Biale winemaker, as he recently moved to Ridge. Longtime viticulturist Robert ‘Bob’ Biale knows how to farm these Zinfandel vineyards incredibly well. The new lineup is incredibly consistent across the board.
I adored the 2020 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 2020 Robert Biale ‘Varozza Vineyard’ Zinfandel (OB, 95) shows amazing a seamless texture and tremendous depth. 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- The 2020 ’Black Chicken’ comes from a range of vineyards throughout Sonoma and Napa Valley. Very soft on the mouth, this delivers delicious green olive and dill notes that combine with boysenberry. Drink 2022-2030- 92
2020 Robert Biale ‘Old Kraft Vineyard’ Zinfandel- Coming from vines planted in the 1890s, this, making it one of the oldest grapes that you will find in Napa. .Ver smooth throughout the drinking experience, light tannins line a core of red cherry candy, dill and sage with shades of coffee grounds. Everything is in wonderful balance here, as this beauty will show drinking enjoyment for at least another decade. Drink 2022-2033- 93
2020 Robert Biale ‘Pagani Ranch’ Zinfandel- Sourced from this site in Sonoma County this shows beautiful red florals on the nose, with dusty earth and shades of white pepper and rich red fruits. The palate is soft and inviting with some great underlying acidity, and light dusting of salinity. Layers of red rose water and pomegranate seed, orange rind and milk chocolate combine with the beautiful finesse on the palate. Refined and elegant, with good richness, this beautiful Zinfandel is only starting to hit its stride. Drink 2022-2033- 94
2020 Robert Biale ‘Monte Rosso Vineyard’ Zinfandel- Years ago Robert Biale began sourcing from this high elevation site on Moon Mountain that is best known for Cabernet Sauvignon. This outstanding 2020 Zinfandel offers excellent underlying freshness with ripe red currants, cigar box and orange rind tones that combine with the finesse and salty accents. Drink 2022-2032- 93
2020 Robert Biale ‘R.W. Moore Vineyard’ Zinfandel- The very old ‘R.W. Moore Vineyard’ was planted all the way back in 1905. Once on the nose this shows off red and black florals with wild blackberry and suggestions of loamy soils. The palate is very fresh and shows outstanding underlying finesse. Deep red and dark fruits collide with damp earth and cigar ash notes. Outstanding to savor in its youth, this has at least another decade ahead of it. Drink 2022-2033- 93
2020 Robert Biale ‘Bedrock Vineyard’ Zinfandel- An ancient site for Zinfandel grapes, the ‘Bedrock Vineyard’ dates all the way back to the 1850s and is currently owned by the Peterson family. Ripe Bing cherry and dusty soils combine with chocolate covered black raspberry on the nose. The palate is very elegant and rich, with wonderful viscosity and length — this simply glides throughout the drinking experience. Finishing very long this beauty is drinking great now and will provide drinking enjoyment for another ten to twelve years. Drink 2022-2033- 94
2020 Robert Biale ‘Varozza Vineyard’ Zinfandel- One of the most consistently great Zinfandel wines that I have tasted over the past decade, the brilliant 2020 Robert Biale ‘Varozza Vineyard’ Zinfandel comes from this site in Saint Helena which was planted over a century ago. Once on the nose this takes on layers of black tea and blackberry compote with shades of ripe plum and salty undertones. The palate is deep and concentrated, as this comes off very seamless and elegant. Finishing long with black currants, freshly tilled soils and salty accents, this is a stunning effort that will surely live on for at least another decade. Drink 2022-2035- 95
2020 Robert Biale ‘Royal Punishers’ Petite Sirah- The 2020 Robert Biale ‘Royal Punishers’ Petite Sirah is another gorgeous effort by this Zinfandel house that has a sterling reputation for Petite Sirah. Very fresh, with a soft texture, light tannins frame a brilliant core of pencil lead, anise, blueberry compote and espresso bean. Delicious and deep, this heady Petite Sirah will cellar well over the next decade. Drink 2022-2032- 93