94 points The Return of the Black Chicken! One of California's most sought-after Zins is back. previous vintage 94 Points Robert Parker: "The 2014 Zinfandel Black Chicken (its name coming from the code name used when ordering a jug of Zinfandel during the Prohibition era) is another relatively big-boned Zinfandel at 15.3% alcohol. Gorgeously proportioned, textured and almost chewy, this stunningly hedonistic and fleshy, flamboyant Zinfandel delivers abundant glycerin, fruit, quality and personality. Drink it over the next 7-8 years. ..One of the top Zinfandel specialists in Northern California, Robert Biale’s 2014 Zinfandels are all relatively large-scaled wines, ranging from the mid- to upper-14% alcohol levels to mid-15s." Since 1937, the Biale family has grown Zinfandel along with assorted other varieties on their farm just outside the town of Napa. Their Zins are famous for a certain breed of intensity and power- the kind you get when you restrict yields to only the best, most concentrated, fully ripe fruit each vintage. "Black Chicken" gets its name from Aldo Biale, who used the name as a code word when he started making the wine on the sly in the '40s and didn't want other members of his family to know. Black Chicken is primarily sourced from Biale's Oak Knoll District ranch estate. Grab some of this limited gem before it disappears!
Saul Gropman
Owner/Operator Cafe La Haye
Bright cherry and light cinnamon and sandalwood notes
Bright cherry and light cinnamon and sandalwood notes
9.0Henrik Poulsen
Sampled 3/2018 at ProWein (Germany).
Sampled 3/2018 at ProWein (Germany).
Curtis Anders
Tasty.
Tasty.
9.3Ken Venezio
Bright berry and plum. Very nice structure and a bit of oak. Nice amount of acidity. Black Chicken is always a keeper.
Bright berry and plum. Very nice structure and a bit of oak. Nice amount of acidity. Black Chicken is always a keeper.
9.1Scott Plambeck
2015 in a 750ml bottle. A little disappointed; expected a bigger, fuller wine, for the price. This was slightly sweet initially and finished light. Have had quite a few various vintages in the past and this was the lightest and sweetest. We will not turn away from the “Black Chicken”, but will skip buying any more of this vintage. Tried with four different types of pizza on the 18th of June, 2018.
2015 in a 750ml bottle. A little disappointed; expected a bigger, fuller wine, for the price. This was slightly sweet initially and finished light. Have had quite a few various vintages in the past and this was the lightest and sweetest. We will not turn away from the “Black Chicken”, but will skip buying any more of this vintage. Tried with four different types of pizza on the 18th of June, 2018.
8.9Jason and Jennie
15 is masculine, tannic, angular where the 16 is more feminine, softer, lusher, darker. I like the energy of the 15 but the fruit of the 16 is very nice. Drink 16 before 15. 92-93
15 is masculine, tannic, angular where the 16 is more feminine, softer, lusher, darker. I like the energy of the 15 but the fruit of the 16 is very nice. Drink 16 before 15. 92-93
9.3Jason Budd
Elegant and complex. Focused cherry, blueberry, and dried flowers on the nose. Flavors of plum, blackberry and a touch of peppery spice. Full bodied with soft , integrated tannins
Elegant and complex. Focused cherry, blueberry, and dried flowers on the nose. Flavors of plum, blackberry and a touch of peppery spice. Full bodied with soft , integrated tannins
9.2@DrinkingKC
Awesome
Awesome
9.5Andrew Olsen
Blueberry and blackberry smell and flavors. Can taste the spice and pepper, with a velvety texture. Great wine at a good price
Blueberry and blackberry smell and flavors. Can taste the spice and pepper, with a velvety texture. Great wine at a good price
9.2Chuck Voigt
Pepper, classic zin
Pepper, classic zin
9.0WARNING: DRINKING DISTILLED SPIRITS, BEER, COOLERS, WINE AND OTHER ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES MAY INCREASE CANCER RISK, AND, DURING PREGNANCY, CAN CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS.