Robert Biale Vineyards

Black Chicken Napa Valley Zinfandel

9.045 ratings
9.03 pro ratings
Napa Valley, California, USA
Zinfandel
Lamb, Chicken, Turkey, White Rice, Pasta, Potato, Herbs, Mushrooms, Soft Cheese, Chili & Hot Spicy, Tomato-Based, Duck, Exotic Spices, Beans & Peas, Hard Cheese, Pork, Baking Spices, Pungent Cheese, Beef, Onion, Shallot, Garlic
Top Notes For
Mark Freund

Terrific Zin that walks the line perfectly between ripe fruit but not overripeness. Red and black fruit, medium bodied, bright. Should evolve nicely for several more years but delicious now. Had with grilled BBQ chicken and that was a home run.

Terrific Zin that walks the line perfectly between ripe fruit but not overripeness. Red and black fruit, medium bodied, bright. Should evolve nicely for several more years but delicious now. Had with grilled BBQ chicken and that was a home run.

1 person found it helpfulDec 14th, 2020
Matt Sterr

The Black Chicken 🐔.

The Black Chicken 🐔.

1 person found it helpfulJan 23rd, 2019
Ron R
8.7

I bought this based on my experience with the 12 vintage. This is a shadow of that.

I bought this based on my experience with the 12 vintage. This is a shadow of that.

1 person found it helpfulNov 28th, 2018
Ben LaBolt

Nice zin. Old vines. Medium bodied, not overly fruity.

Nice zin. Old vines. Medium bodied, not overly fruity.

Sep 14th, 2020
Henry Fuseler

7/2020. Medium bodied Zin. Dark color and nice on the palate. For me it paired well with roasted salmon, asparagus and roasted potatoes.

7/2020. Medium bodied Zin. Dark color and nice on the palate. For me it paired well with roasted salmon, asparagus and roasted potatoes.

Jul 17th, 2020
John Singer

Disappointing vintage. Pedestrian fruit and sort of one dimensional.

Disappointing vintage. Pedestrian fruit and sort of one dimensional.

Mar 15th, 2020
Mark Parsonson

Smooth drinking heaven. Amazing structure and balance. Big nose of dark fruits with earth, smoke and spice undertones. Similar on the palate with such a rich smoothness giving way to more complex flavors. Drinking better now than most Zin’s at this age. Putting some down for the future!

Smooth drinking heaven. Amazing structure and balance. Big nose of dark fruits with earth, smoke and spice undertones. Similar on the palate with such a rich smoothness giving way to more complex flavors. Drinking better now than most Zin’s at this age. Putting some down for the future!

Feb 15th, 2020
Sean Thomas

Interesting Zin. On the nose: Cigar box, black pepper, meaty, gravel. On the tongue: red fruit, blackberry, with a nice minerality. Tannins linger but are refined and pleasant.

Interesting Zin. On the nose: Cigar box, black pepper, meaty, gravel. On the tongue: red fruit, blackberry, with a nice minerality. Tannins linger but are refined and pleasant.

Jan 11th, 2020
Ken Venezio

I'm a former club member and love all of Robert Biale wines. The Black Chix is a perennial fav. Loads of upfront mocha and spiced cinnamon. More fruit forward than most zins but a nice mix of structure and balance with subtle tannins. 2016 drinking well. Paired with a chicken parm. Why not!!!!!

I'm a former club member and love all of Robert Biale wines. The Black Chix is a perennial fav. Loads of upfront mocha and spiced cinnamon. More fruit forward than most zins but a nice mix of structure and balance with subtle tannins. 2016 drinking well. Paired with a chicken parm. Why not!!!!!

Oct 18th, 2019
Buffy sommers

Originating during the Great Depression, hence the code name. Very deep-Jo mentions baking spices and I agree. It needs time to breathe. Cult following of the complex taste.

Originating during the Great Depression, hence the code name. Very deep-Jo mentions baking spices and I agree. It needs time to breathe. Cult following of the complex taste.

Feb 9th, 2019