Robert Biale Zinfandel
Up to 94 points from a Napa Legend
“and don’t forget the Black Chickenâ€
2021 Robert Biale Zinfandel Black Chicken
93 WA / 93 JS / 93 WI
$49.89 (750ml) In Stock – Buy Now
2021 Robert Biale Zinfandel Stagecoach
94 JD / 94 WE / 93 WI
$64.89 (750ml) In Stock – Buy Now
Many years ago I was tasting with Robert Biale and looking out of his childhood home towards the vineyards fitting between the new housing developments in Napa Valley. Robert’s grandfather had planted the vines, but here is where the story of the grapes, and the now infamous “black chicken†come into play:
“In 1942 an explosion at the quarry took (Robert’s Grandfather) Pietro’s life, leaving behind a tenacious widow, Cristina, and their 13-year-old son, Aldo. Deeply saddened, but ferociously determined, Aldo and his mother shouldered the burden of the farm where they continued to grow walnuts, prunes, Zinfandel, and other fruits and vegetables, as well as a hundred chickens at a time. Cristina never remarried, so teenaged Aldo needed to supplement the ranch income, just like his father had done. That’s when Aldo learned to make wine from his Uncle Angelo. He sold his jugs of Zin to friends and neighbors on the “down lowâ€, and the phone started ringing regularly for re-orders…The Biale’s phone was a party line, so nosy neighbors could listen in on conversations, including orders for produce, eggs, and a jug of Aldo’s homemade wine from barrels he hid in the barn. Then, as now, any commercial activity involving alcohol was highly regulated by government agencies of various acronyms, and any violation of federal, state, or local regulations was severely penalized. So, Aldo needed a way to keep the orders coming over the party line without divulging his clandestine wine operation. He needed a code name…
Aldo’s ranch was known for its legions of white leghorn chickens for laying eggs and serving for supper. Perhaps it was not much of a stretch for the 14-year-old Aldo to look to them for the code name for his secret wine. So that there would be no confusion, he changed the color and dubbed a jug of his inky dark Zinfandel Gallina Nera–Black Chicken. Soon phone calls started coming over the party line with customers requesting, for example, “2 dozen eggs, some zucchini, prunes, walnuts and a Gallo Nero.†In the decades to come, Aldo delivered these produce and “black chicken†orders personally on Fridays in a blue 1940 Studebaker (his first car, which he eventually restored decades later to its original gleaming glory).â€
And, I should mention, the wines are always delicious. Robert has been crafting his (now totally legal) zins for over 30 years!
2021 Robert Biale Zinfandel Black Chicken
$49.89 (750ml) In Stock – Buy Now
93 WA / 93 JS / 93 WI / 92 WS / 92 JD
Sourced primarily from Oak Knoll, the 2021 Zinfandel Black Chicken delivers briar-laced bramble-berry fruit, plus a decent dose of vanilla (maturation was in 25% new French oak). Full-bodied, it's creamy, ripe and lush, with a slightly herbal tang on the lingering finish. It's a balanced, seductive Zin, not over the top while still expressing intense varietal character.-Joe Czerwinski, The Wine Advocate
Dark plums, crushed dark berries, cocoa beans, dried orange and moist bark. Medium-bodied, spiced and racy with sleek tannins and vivid acidity. Flavorful and silky. Drink now.-James Suckling
The 2021 Robert Biale Black Chicken Zinfandel is medium to deep garnet-purple in color. Notes of raspberry pie, redcurrant jelly, and blueberry compote pop from the glass, leading to wafts of hoisin, damp soil, and mossy tree bark. The medium to full-bodied palate has bright acidity and chewy tannins to support the expressive red and blue fruit layers, finishing long and earthy.-Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Independent
2021 Robert Biale Zinfandel Stagecoach Vineyard
$64.89 (750ml) In Stock – Buy Now
94 JD / 94 WE / 93 WI / 91 JS / 16.5 JR
From a terrific site on Pritchard Hill, the 2021 Zinfandel Stagecoach Vineyard is deeper hued and has a more substantial, structured style in its darker red and blue fruits, peppery herbs, violets, and orange blossom aromatics. I love its purity, it's medium-bodied, has fine tannins, and great finish. This is one smoking good Zinfandel.-Jeb Dunnuck
Blackberries and black cherries light up the aroma of this bold, flavorful wine before identical, focused black fruits hit the palate with good concentration and depth. Moderate tannins and a full body form an appetizing structure for this dramatic wine. Best through 2030. — Jim Gordon, Wine Enthusiast
Medium garnet-purple in color, the 2021 Stagecoach Vineyard Zinfandel races out with eager-to-please notes of plum preserves, black raspberries, and kirsch plus nuances of Indian spices and potpourri. The full-bodied palate delivers lightly chewy tannins and a lively line to frame the vibrant black and red berry layers, finishing with a spicy lift.Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Independent
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