A winery that is steeped in history, Zinfandel was California’s signature varietal long before Cabernet was king. 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. I lhave loved these wines for years that are truly one of a kind and a throwback to old-school Zinfandel that shows not only good concentration but fantastic, bright acidity.
Winemaker David Natali is a New York native, David graduated from Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service and developed a passion for winemaking after bottling at a friend’s small winery. He formerly served as cellar hand at Clos Pegase Winery and later studied at the University of Montpellier in France, where he received his master’s degree in Viticulture and Enology. After two and a half years of living and studying abroad in Montpellier, France, and Udine, Italy, David returned to California. He became the Assistant Winemaker for La Rochelle Winery, later taking the Assistant Winemaker position at Robert Biale Vineyards. He managed the cellar and lab’s daily operations to implement new winemaking techniques under the guidance of Winemaker Tres Goetting. In 2022, David was promoted to Head Winemaker.
I adored the 2021 Robert Biale ‘Black Chicken’ Zinfandel (OB, 93) which delivers plenty of richness and herbal accents. One of the best Zinfandel wines I have tried this year, the 2022 Robert Biale ‘Varozza Vineyard’ Zinfandel (OB, 95) which is one of the finest Zinfandel wines I have tasted all year. Learn more about this storied Napa property at http://biale.com Here are the great new wines by Robert Biale.
2022 Robert Biale ‘Black Chicken’ Zinfandel- The 2021 ‘Black Chicken’ is sourced from a range of vineyards in the Oak Knoll AVA. throughout Sonoma and Napa Valley. This shows good richness and depth with juicy red fruit flavors alongside Earl Grey tea and freshly tilled loamy soils. This is fantastic Zin with depth and poise. Drink 2024-2032- 93
2022 Robert Biale ‘Old Kraft Vineyard’ Zinfandel- The 2022 ‘Old Kraft’ comes from this site located in St. Helena with vines that date back to the1890s. Needing about an hour in the decanter to fully unwind,, the Zinfandel delivers black cherry and menthol notes on the palate, with milk chocolate and suggestions of ripe strawberry with good freshness. Showing a smooth texture this is already nicely evolved stuff. Savor this beauty over the next ten years. Drink 2024-2034- 94
2022 Robert Biale ‘R.W. Moore Vineyard’ Zinfandel- The stunning 2022 ‘R.W. Moore Vineyard’ comes from this ancient Coombsville vineyard first planted back in1905. This is soft and elegant Zin that is simply impossible to resist right now. This is soft and refined on the palate, showing a smooth texture and good sense of weight. Black raspberry and tar notes combine with sadness of Black Forest cake on the palate. Showing good freshness, this is delicious Zinfandel that is already showing really well. Drink 2024-2034- 94
2021 Robert Biale ‘Bedrock Vineyard’ Zinfandel- The famed ‘Bedrock Vineyard’ dates all the way back to 1850s and is currently owned by the Peterson family, as one of the oldest vineyards in the entire state. The palate is concentrated with a fantastic combination of dense red and dark fruit flavors. This is powerful and rich stuff that is neatly layered and silky smooth upon entry. Laden with stony minerals alongside rich red and dark fruits, with tar, tobacco leaf and chocolate notes, this is a total masterpiece that is fantastic to consume right now. Drink 2024-2037- 95
2021 Robert Biale ‘Varozza Vineyard’ Zinfandel- One of the most consistently great Zinfandel bottlings in North America, this 2022 ‘Varozza Vineyard’ hails from this century old Zinfandel site in Sanit Helena. Right away notes of fresh sage, allspice dusted strawberry, and chocolate all combine on the nose, with hints of garrigue. The palate is dense and concentrated, loaded with rich dark plum, fig and milk chocolate flavors. Very seamless throughout the drinking experience, this is a massive achievement considering the intense heat spikes at harvest at this warm site. Drink 2024-2036- 95
2022 Robert Biale ‘Stagecoach Vineyard’ Zinfandel- Years ago Robert Biale asked Stagecoach Vineyard proprietor to plant Zinfandel at this high elevation and highly scenic site that peers over the Oakville AVA. This 2022 Zinfandel offers dusty earth notes on the nose alongside red currants, red cherry candy and fresh thyme notes on the nose. The palate is plush and soft with good tension and richness. Layers of rich red and dark fruits parade with chocolate and notes of sandalwood. Enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2024-2036- 95
2022 Robert Biale ‘Dickerson Vineyard’ Zinfandel- The 2022 ‘Dickerson Vineyard’ comes from the St. Helena appellation which was first planted in the 1920s by Charles Volpi. The palate is fresh and viscous with salty accents and rich dark fruit flavors. Silky and refined, with a smooth texture, offering figs, red currants, menthol and chocolate notes, this is already drinking beautifully now. Drink 2024-2034- 94
2021 Robert Biale ‘Palisaides Vineyard’ Petite Sirah- The 2021 Robert Biale Palisaides Vineyard Petite Sirah comes from the Calistoga AVA.Rich and viscous, this tannic beauty delivers dark chocolate shavings, mocha, tar and loamy soil notes on the palate with sandalwood accents. Drink 2024-2034- 94