Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
From Oak Knoll sites near the winery, this bold red is tight in focused tannins and a firm texture. Lifted red fruit dominates—a mix of cherry and raspberry—dipped in dried herb, baking spice and vanilla oak.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2017 Robert Biale Vineyards Black Chicken Zinfandel is mouthcoating and joyous on the palate. TASTING NOTES: This wine is wonderfully bright with red and black fruit in its aromas and flavors. Serve it with a well-seasoned, oven-roasted Porchetta. (Tasted: January 30, 2020, San Francisco, CA)
Undoubtedly proving its merit over and over, Napa Valley is a now a leading force in the world of prestigious red wine regions. Though Cabernet Sauvignon dominates Napa Valley, other red varieties certainly thrive here. Important but often overlooked include Merlot and other Bordeaux varieties well-regarded on their own as well as for their blending capacities. Very old vine Zinfandel represents an important historical stronghold for the region and Pinot noir is produced in the cooler southern parts, close to the San Pablo Bay.
Perfectly situated running north to south, the valley acts as a corridor, pulling cool, moist air up from the San Pablo Bay in the evenings during the hot days of the growing season, which leads to even and slow grape ripening. Furthermore the valley claims over 100 soil variations including layers of volcanic, gravel, sand and silt—a combination excellent for world-class red wine production.