Robert Biale Black Chicken Zinfandel 2022

Category:
 
Red Wines
Sub-Category:  
 
Red Wines
Producer:
 
Robert Biale
Label Name:
 
Black Chicken Zinfandel
Vintage:
 
2022
Country:
 
United States
Region:
 
Napa Valley (Oak Knoll District)
Volume:
 
750ml
ABV:
 
14.8%
Grape(s):
 
Zinfandel
Acidity:
 
3
Tannins:
 
3
Sweetness:
 
1
Body:
 
4
Length:
 
4
Aroma Intensity:
 
4
Best Temperature:
 
16-18°C

Awards/Ratings
Wine Enthusiast 94; James Suckling 93; Wine Spectator 93; Vinous 92; Jeb Dunnuck 92; Wine Advocate 91; approx

Tasting Note
Rich, plush Zinfandel with blackberry and black cherry core, notes of plum, violet, cocoa, anise and baking spices; balanced by bright, mouthwatering acidity and fine-grained tannins, finishing long with pomegranate and dried herb nuances.

Food Pairing
Western: grilled tri-tip, braised short ribs, barbecued pork ribs, lamb burgers, pizza with spicy sausage. Asian: char siu, Korean BBQ (bulgogi), spicy Szechuan beef, hoisin-glazed pork, richer Thai red-curry dishes.

Production Method
Hand-harvested fruit; destemmed and fermented in open-top tanks with 2–4 day cold soak and 2–3 punch-downs daily; malolactic fermentation and aging 14–16 months in French/Burgundy oak (≈20–25% new).

Vineyard Info
Robert Biale Vineyards, a family operation farming Zinfandel since the 1930s; 'Black Chicken' honors Aldo Biale’s bootleg-era nickname. The label was launched legally in 1999 and highlights Oak Knoll-sourced old-vine Zinfandel.