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Robert Biale Vineyards Black Chicken Napa Valley Zinfandel 2017
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 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!
Ratings on Delectable
"Odedi" 
Dark purple in color with a wide reddish rim. Fruity nose of sweet strawberries, raspberries, cherry pie, wood, licorice, spices, dried fruits, coffee, fresh popcorn, cloves, herbs, chocolates, mocha and black pepper. Full bodied and bold with medium acidity and long legs. Dry and fruity on the palate with blueberries, dried raspberries, wood, licorice, earth, spices, light vanilla and peppercorn. Medium plus in finish with soft tannins and tangy raspberries. This is a very enjoyable Zinfandel from Napa Valley. Well balanced and fruit forward with mild complexity and a nice mouthfeel. Not as spicy as I excepted. Good right out of the bottle and better as it opens up (2 hours). Still young and needs another 5 to 10 years in the bottle to mature properly. I paired it with a charcuterie board of meats and cheeses. 14.5% alcohol by volume. 91 points. $49.
Dark purple in color with a wide reddish rim. Fruity nose of sweet strawberries, raspberries, cherry pie, wood, licorice, spices, dried fruits, coffee, fresh popcorn, cloves, herbs, chocolates, mocha and black pepper. Full bodied and bold with medium acidity and long legs. Dry and fruity on the palate with blueberries, dried raspberries, wood, licorice, earth, spices, light vanilla and peppercorn. Medium plus in finish with soft tannins and tangy raspberries. This is a very enjoyable Zinfandel from Napa Valley. Well balanced and fruit forward with mild complexity and a nice mouthfeel. Not as spicy as I excepted. Good right out of the bottle and better as it opens up (2 hours). Still young and needs another 5 to 10 years in the bottle to mature properly. I paired it with a charcuterie board of meats and cheeses. 14.5% alcohol by volume. 91 points. $49.
9.1
John W
Dark ruby coloration. On the nose, dark fruit, currants, leather. On the palate, the same notes of dark fruit, currants and leather. Full bodied. Balanced nicely. Short finish. $50 at total wine.
Dark ruby coloration. On the nose, dark fruit, currants, leather. On the palate, the same notes of dark fruit, currants and leather. Full bodied. Balanced nicely. Short finish. $50 at total wine.
8.9
Vanessa
Plush, ripe fruit-forward Zinfandel from Napa Valley. This wine is deep ruby. It has pronounced intensity of youthful aromas. The aromas include primary notes of ripe black cherry, strawberry, blackberry preserves, and black plum sauce. Also, secondary notes of cedar, vanilla, coconut, and nutmeg. And tertiary notes of dark chocolate, espresso, and tobacco. On the palate this wine is dry although it has some discernible residual sugar. It has medium acidity, a medium(+) body, high alcohol, medium(+) tannins, and pronounced intensity in concentrated flavors. Flavors include primary notes of ripe black cherry, strawberry, blackberry preserves, and black plum sauce. Also, secondary notes of cedar, vanilla, coconut, and nutmeg. And tertiary notes of dark chocolate, espresso, and tobacco. The finish is medium(+). This wine has good balance, length, and intensity. It could improve with greater complexity. This is a very good wine that is ready for consumption now.
Plush, ripe fruit-forward Zinfandel from Napa Valley. This wine is deep ruby. It has pronounced intensity of youthful aromas. The aromas include primary notes of ripe black cherry, strawberry, blackberry preserves, and black plum sauce. Also, secondary notes of cedar, vanilla, coconut, and nutmeg. And tertiary notes of dark chocolate, espresso, and tobacco. On the palate this wine is dry although it has some discernible residual sugar. It has medium acidity, a medium(+) body, high alcohol, medium(+) tannins, and pronounced intensity in concentrated flavors. Flavors include primary notes of ripe black cherry, strawberry, blackberry preserves, and black plum sauce. Also, secondary notes of cedar, vanilla, coconut, and nutmeg. And tertiary notes of dark chocolate, espresso, and tobacco. The finish is medium(+). This wine has good balance, length, and intensity. It could improve with greater complexity. This is a very good wine that is ready for consumption now.
9.0
Gigi Pan
Very long beautiful finish
Very long beautiful finish
9.3
K L
Excellent zin. Very smooth and drinkable. Not overly fruity. Some spice but not overwhelming. Would get again.
Excellent zin. Very smooth and drinkable. Not overly fruity. Some spice but not overwhelming. Would get again.
9.3
David Walser
I like the the “Black Chicken” story about this wine.
I like the the “Black Chicken” story about this wine.
9.0
C Riviere
Power and ripe dark berries.
Power and ripe dark berries.
9.3
See all reviews and ratings on Delectable WARNING: DRINKING DISTILLED SPIRITS, BEER, COOLERS, WINE AND OTHER ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES MAY INCREASE CANCER RISK, AND, DURING PREGNANCY, CAN CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS.