Biale Zinfandel Napa Black Chicken 2009

This blackish purple wine shows currant, blackberry, dried fruit, molasses, berry jam and vanilla flavors on its luscious mid-palate. Supple young tannins emerge on the rich, jammy finish.

The 2004 Zinfandel Black Chicken (the Prohibition era's code word for bootleg wine) tips the scales at 16.5% alcohol. This chicken can party... as evidenced by the wine's blockbuster perfume of briery fruit, spice box, pepper, sweet currants and cherries, and licorice. Spicy, with fabulous fruit, a full-bodied opulence, loads of glycerin, and a heady finish, it can be drunk now and over the next 5-7 years.

The deep ruby/purple-tinged 2003 Zinfandel Black Chicken (16% alcohol) reveals a big, projected nose of black fruits, licorice, and plums. Full-bodied, opulent, and fleshy, it is a pure, exotic, hedonistic Zin to enjoy over the nest 5-6 years.

The full-throttle, exotic 2002 Zinfandel Black Chicken exhibits aromas of incense, animal fur, black fruits, jammy berries, earth, and pepper. With 16.7% alcohol, this rich, pure, impeccably well-balanced 2002 should drink well for 5-7 years.

Fragrant and complex, with mustard seed, black pepper, raspberry and tangy plum flavors. Crisp structure and cedar tones linger on the earthy finish. Drink now through 2007.

Ruby-red. Superripe aromas of raspberry liqueur, smoked meat, spices, espresso and flowers; slightly roasted suggestion of late-picked fruit. Rich, chewy and high-toned, with a sappy quality and plenty of acidity to the intense raspberry liqueur flavor. Obviously high in alcohol, but creamy, concentrated and quite long. Strong tannins are buffered by sheer sweetness of fruit. Fans of big, bold zinfandels will not feel cheated by this one.

There's a lot of power, but this is ripe and supple enough to carry the weight. Has aromas of wild berry, smoke and licorice, with black cherry, blueberry, cracked pepper flavors that finish with loamy tannins. Best from 2009 through 2012.