Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
This is a tremendously delicious vintage of this wine, made from estate sites within the Oak Knoll District. Blackberry and cinnamon highlight a soft, rich palate that is lengthy and well integrated in French oak, with balanced acidity providing freshness and structure.
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James Suckling
Aromas of clove, blackcurrant and baked plum. Full-bodied with soft tannins. Juicy black and blue fruit with an earthy finish. Hints of ground spice and resin come through. Nicely refined and balanced.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2019 Robert Biale Vineyards Black Chicken Zinfandel is lively and packed on the palate. TASTING NOTES: This wine shows up with excellent aromas and flavors of red and blue fruits. A touch of oak adds to the wine's complexity. Enjoy it with grilled baby back ribs. (Tasted: June 22, 2021, 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.