Product Overview
Winery's Notes
"The heart of Black Chicken is sourced from vineyards in the Oak Knoll District, among them the same family vineyard Aldo, Nonna, Bob and the Biale family have farmed since the 1930’s. Additional sources come from our estate vineyard surrounding the winery, from neighboring growers in the Oak Knoll, as well as from other long-standing winegrowing families in the Napa Valley. Black Chicken stands as the quintessential expression of Zinfandel from the Napa Valley."
Winemaker's Notes
"Showing the influence of the breezy and fog-laced Oak Knoll District, the wine offers rich, plush fruit, delicate acidity and a structure defined by well-ripened, fine-grained tannins. Layered notes of blackberry preserves, raspberry, violet, cocoa, anise, and cherry wood on the nose. Persistent and full on the palate with flavors of plum, black cherry, baking spices, dried herbs, and pomegranate. An expressive Zinfandel that, with proper cellaring, will continue to improve for the next 5-7 years."
Varietal Composition: 100% Zinfandel
Appellation: Napa Valley AVA
Aging: 16 months in French oak barrels, 25% new
Winemaker: David Natali
94 Points - Wine Enthusiast
"A classic Napa Valley Zinfandel, this bottling offers savory and earthy aromatics that carry into flavors of dark plum, tobacco and dark chocolate. It's rich in flavor, well balanced by mouthwatering acidity that refreshes the palate with every sip. Impressively persistent." -ECB, 7/1/24
93 Points - Wine Spectator
"Robust yet retaining a sense of refinement, this red offers blackberry, briar patch and white pepper flavors that build tension toward medium-grained tannins. Drink now through 2034. 7,400 cases made." -TF, 8/31/24
92 Points - Vinous
"The 2022 Zinfandel Black Chicken is one of the most potent wines in this range. Black cherry, plum, leather, tobacco, incense and licorice give this extroverted, generous Zinfandel tons of character. There is no shortage of intensity here." -AG, Jul/2024
91 Points - Wine Advocate
"Blended from a number of vineyards, including some barrels from single vineyards that get "declassified" into this bottling, the 2022 Zinfandel Black Chicken comes from vines with an average age of 40 years. Raspberries and blackberries mark the nose, accompanied by hints of cracked pepper and ground clove, while the palate is medium to full-bodied, framed by silky tannins and finishing long and softly dusty." -JC, 10/17/24
