Robert Biale Vineyards

Spenker Vineyard Zinfandel

8.82 ratings
8.81 pro ratings
Lodi, Central Valley, California, USA
Zinfandel
Lamb, Chicken, Turkey, White Rice, Pasta, Potato, Herbs, Mushrooms, Soft Cheese, Chili & Hot Spicy, Tomato-Based, Duck, Exotic Spices, Beans & Peas, Hard Cheese, Pork, Baking Spices, Pungent Cheese, Beef, Onion, Shallot, Garlic
Top Notes For
Matt Austin

Owner/Winemaker, Grosgrain Vineyards, Walla Walla, WA

8.8

Smooth with integrated alcohol and tannin. Fully tertiary. Enjoyable in an old claret kind of way, but a little fruit would have helped.

Smooth with integrated alcohol and tannin. Fully tertiary. Enjoyable in an old claret kind of way, but a little fruit would have helped.

Jun 26th, 2016
Matt Austin

Owner/Winemaker, Grosgrain Vineyards, Walla Walla, WA

8.9

Turley used Spenker fruit from 96-97 and this was Biale's first turn with the 1902-planted vineyard, which they made wine from until 2004. This is on the downturn, but still has plenty of fruit/spice along with more tertiary qualities and was a very enjoyable quaff. Would have liked to try it young. Looks like the fruit is now going primarily to estate wines which are not very highly regarded.

Turley used Spenker fruit from 96-97 and this was Biale's first turn with the 1902-planted vineyard, which they made wine from until 2004. This is on the downturn, but still has plenty of fruit/spice along with more tertiary qualities and was a very enjoyable quaff. Would have liked to try it young. Looks like the fruit is now going primarily to estate wines which are not very highly regarded.

Nov 6th, 2015