- Home/
Robert Biale Vineyards Black Chicken Napa Valley Zinfandel 2018
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
Tobin Trevarthen 
Classic Zin. Raisins and deep cherry blended into a robust experience.
Classic Zin. Raisins and deep cherry blended into a robust experience.
9.1
MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET
Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com
Delicious #zin #zinfandel #napa
Delicious #zin #zinfandel #napa
9.2
Delectable Wine
Follow to learn about our favorite wines & people.
The 2018 Zinfandel Black Chicken is dense and explosive in the glass. Inky dark fruit, chocolate, cloves, new leather, licorice and earthy notes abound. This is an especially potent, brooding Zinfandel, with all of its elements in total harmony. Drink it over the next 10-20 years. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, March 2021)
The 2018 Zinfandel Black Chicken is dense and explosive in the glass. Inky dark fruit, chocolate, cloves, new leather, licorice and earthy notes abound. This is an especially potent, brooding Zinfandel, with all of its elements in total harmony. Drink it over the next 10-20 years. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, March 2021)
9.5Michael Chelus
Black cherry, raspberry preserves, blackberry, currant, vanilla, mocha and oak. Full-bodied and soft tannins.
Black cherry, raspberry preserves, blackberry, currant, vanilla, mocha and oak. Full-bodied and soft tannins.
9.1
Andrew Belzer
Blackberry, strawberry seed, cedar, pencil shavings, pepper, soft supple tannins
Blackberry, strawberry seed, cedar, pencil shavings, pepper, soft supple tannins
9.5
Brandon Boesch
Love it. The standard for Napa zin. Plums, prunes, earth, cocoa, acid, well balanced, crowd pleaser, but still interesting. So good
Love it. The standard for Napa zin. Plums, prunes, earth, cocoa, acid, well balanced, crowd pleaser, but still interesting. So good
9.5
Drew Miller
Think this might need more bottle time and it was pretty sweet. Not the best value for me. Big stuff.
Think this might need more bottle time and it was pretty sweet. Not the best value for me. Big stuff.
8.9
Audrey Gorham
Very good. Nice balance.
Very good. Nice balance.
8.9Brandon Boesch
Excellent Napa zin for the price. Great dark fruits, cocoa, really good tannin and an earthiness that makes it so drinkable. Classic zin that I wish more sins imitated.
Excellent Napa zin for the price. Great dark fruits, cocoa, really good tannin and an earthiness that makes it so drinkable. Classic zin that I wish more sins imitated.
9.5
Walter Fahr
Extraordinary Zin. Bold, dark, luscious fruit. Reminds me more of a high end Napa Cab blend. Wonderful with a steak.
Extraordinary Zin. Bold, dark, luscious fruit. Reminds me more of a high end Napa Cab blend. Wonderful with a steak.
9.4
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.