Robert Biale Zinfandel Napa Valley Black Chicken 2008

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Robert Biale Black Chicken Zinfandel Napa Valley 2008 750ML

Speaking of the 2008 Zinfandel Black Chicken, it has a beautiful nose of sweet, jammy black cherries and raspberries, a dark ruby/purple-tinged color, and an expansive, medium to full-bodied mouthfeel as well as lots of heady glycerin. This full-throttle, lusty, delicious, silky-textured wine cascades over the palate with no hard edges. It should be drunk over the next 3-4 years.