WTN: 1997 Bialo Zin, Aldo's Vineyard

[Jenise]

A friend served this Napa zin the other night. Now I've loved every Biale I've ever had, but they don't cross my path often and I don't buy or cellar them myself. Reason is, quite simply, the price: if I'm going to spend $65 on a bottle of wine, it's just not going to be zinfandel.

This one was as good as expected, and it paired beautifully with Linda's ancho chile sauteed shrimp with broccolini. The wine's fairly into full secondary development and fairly resolved now. Garnet red and just medium bodied with a nose that smells more of California berry loveliness than of zinfandel--and it's similar on the palate. All of zin's trademark features are gone and the wine is cablike in a feminine way with soft tannins and acidity.

I brought a 2000 Copain pinot for contrast, which I chose after briefly considering a Brunello. Concern that none of my Brunellos are ready (I have two 99's, the rest are younger) is what tubed that idea, but I have to say that if I'd had a qualifying Brunello that would have been the better pairing for both the zin and the dish.

[David M. Bueker]

That's the same reason I don't buy Biale zinfandels.

They do disprove the old "zins don't age" theory though don't they?!

A friend served this Napa zin the other night. Now I've loved every Biale I've ever had, but they don't cross my path often and I don't buy or cellar them myself. Reason is, quite simply, the price: if I'm going to spend $65 on a bottle of wine, it's just not going to be zinfandel.

This one was as good as expected, and it paired beautifully with Linda's ancho chile sauteed shrimp with broccolini. The wine's fairly into full secondary development and fairly resolved now. Garnet red and just medium bodied with a nose that smells more of California berry loveliness than of zinfandel--and it's similar on the palate. All of zin's trademark features are gone and the wine is cablike in a feminine way with soft tannins and acidity.

I brought a 2000 Copain pinot for contrast, which I chose after briefly considering a Brunello. Concern that none of my Brunellos are ready (I have two 99's, the rest are younger) is what tubed that idea, but I have to say that if I'd had a qualifying Brunello that would have been the better pairing for both the zin and the dish.

Aldo's vineyard is actually located in a residental section of the northern part of the city of Napa. Aldo is the oldest member of the Biale family and many of us wonder what will happen to this residentially surrounded vineyard after he dies. I hope it stays forever.

[Jenise]

A friend served this Napa zin the other night. Now I've loved every Biale I've ever had, but they don't cross my path often and I don't buy or cellar them myself. Reason is, quite simply, the price: if I'm going to spend $65 on a bottle of wine, it's just not going to be zinfandel.

This one was as good as expected, and it paired beautifully with Linda's ancho chile sauteed shrimp with broccolini. The wine's fairly into full secondary development and fairly resolved now. Garnet red and just medium bodied with a nose that smells more of California berry loveliness than of zinfandel--and it's similar on the palate. All of zin's trademark features are gone and the wine is cablike in a feminine way with soft tannins and acidity.

I brought a 2000 Copain pinot for contrast, which I chose after briefly considering a Brunello. Concern that none of my Brunellos are ready (I have two 99's, the rest are younger) is what tubed that idea, but I have to say that if I'd had a qualifying Brunello that would have been the better pairing for both the zin and the dish.

Aldo's vineyard is actually located in a residental section of the northern part of the city of Napa. Aldo is the oldest member of the Biale family and many of us wonder what will happen to this residentially surrounded vineyard after he dies. I hope it stays forever.

Interesting factoid, didn't know that. I actually had to look up the location of the vineyard. From dinner I thought I remembered Napa, but as I retasted it in my mind yesterday writing the tasting note, I didn't taste the usual weight of a Napa wine.

Some might find this interview interesting;
http://www.wine-people.com/bialeinterview.htm#TopofPage

Salute