Shay A

9.3

I’ve enjoyed a decent amount of Calisle zins and really enjoy their take (not overly jammy, balanced spice), but this was my first experience with this offering and it was very unique. The aromatics here don’t smell like Zin...more Syrah like. Funky nose. Blood orange and spicy rhubarb with red fruits and cardamom. On the palate it is crunchy and energetic, oozing black cherries and zesty citrus. Very intriguing. Thanks @Dan Fitzgerald . — 5 days ago

with Dan and Weston

Donald Patz

Owner/Winemaker Patz & Hall

9.5

I have no idea why Benovia is not more widely recognized for their superb selection of wines. Regardless. This Zinfandel is beautiful- drinkable now with promise to gain with deep cellar time. Luxardo cherry, blackberries, chocolate and fine herb aromas lead to a precise and refreshing impression in the mouth. — 13 days ago

Eric Urbani

8.9

They say the first grapes in CA were Zin planted in Lodi. This is a basic not too fruity example. — 19 hours ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.0

Vintage 2017 / Black and opaque. Morello cherries. Leather. Chocolate. Cheerful. Good effort. — 11 days ago

Andy Demaree

9.2

Not sure why this vintage has received only fair reviews on CellarTracker, but this is a solid bottle of Zinfandel showing rich purple and black fruits, some mild spice and pepper notes, and enough complexity to hold interest. Air seems to help it unfurl a bit. There’s a little alcoholic warmth in the finish, but this is not a jammy zin by any means. The ‘12 was better, but this is quite enjoyable and I’m happy to have another in the cellar. — 6 days ago

MICHAEL COOPER

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

8.9

I’m over #zinfandel I’ve really tried many with much hope and yet I’ve almost never been happily surprised. This is a lovely expression and yet it doesn’t do it for me. I prefer #garnacha from Spain. — a month ago

Ellen Clifford

9.1

Victory Zin. For the day and I dunno life. I’m amazed by older Zins because (of the ones I’ve tasted) you can tell they are not supes frosh but also you’d have no idea they were so aged. Well the sediment might alert you but that doesn’t come until the end of the bottle. Autumn leaves, roasty plums, black cherry, grippy but ripe tannins and baking spice of the nutmeg and mace sort. I love Zin. This one confirms my love. — 16 days ago

Ken Venezio

9.2

I'm a former club member and love all of Robert Biale wines. The Black Chix is a perennial fav. Loads of upfront mocha and spiced cinnamon. More fruit forward than most zins but a nice mix of structure and balance with subtle tannins. 2016 drinking well. Paired with a chicken parm. Why not!!!!! — a day ago

Shay A

9.2

Monthly WTF group recap. Theme this month was “bring something special”. Normally we taste all of the wines blind, but we decided to do a relaxed night with amazing wines at a great restaurant. Spectacular evening!

Notes are consistent with when I had this back in May. Candied and ripe showing graham cracker slathered in blackberry jam accompanied by cherry liqueur. Typical zin sweetness with only a hint of age to it. Fun and enjoyable Napa example. Thanks @Steve Bolger . — 9 days ago

with Michael, Andrew and 8 others

Severn Goodwin

9.3

Just concluded our annual Fall seclusion at our cabin in the Rangeley lakes region of Maine, mobile service up there is mostly non-existent, after several days I am posting again. Notes are somewhat brief, as my focus is relaxing and watching the Common Loons swimming and diving in the cove in front of our camp.

Nose has blackberry, boysenberry, ripe red cherry, dried raspberry, new leather, cedar shavings, blueberry skin and dry earth.
Palate has blackberry jam on old leather, dried black cherry, moist-loamy soil with sweet red pepper on the forever finish. Still showing tannins after a 4+ hour decant, this bottle could hold until a 20th birthday without concern, no color fade whatsoever.
One of the older bottles to Biale zinfandel to be coveted in our cellar, last bottle, of course. — 21 days ago