From one of the most iconic vineyard sites in all of Northern California, the 2014 Zinfandel Monte Rosso Vineyard kicks up the level of concentration. It finishes at 15% natural alcohol but has tremendous inner depth and richness. The color is a handsome, dense bluish purple. The wine officers a spectrum of blue and purple fruits along with earth. It is full-bodied, super-concentrated, with adequate acidity and nicely integrated, ripe tannins. This is a beauty to drink over the next 10-15 years.

The good news is that there are 616 cases of the 2008 Zinfandel Monte Rosso. Perfumed, floral notes intermixed with blueberry, boysenberry and spice, as well as a distinctive earthiness jump from the glass of this dark ruby/plum-colored wine. Powerful and rich, but at the same time elegant and pure, this is a beauty that can be drunk now or cellared for another 4-5 years. There is always a remarkable array of wines from Biale Vineyards. This family has been farming Zinfandel in Napa since 1937, and the wines consistently are among the highlights in my Zinfandel tastings. All of these wine generally have production levels of 200 to 500 cases, with the exception of the Valsecchi, which is only 47 cases, and the Black Chicken, which is nearly 2,600 cases. Tel. (707) 257-7555

Although it is not from Napa Valley, I am including Biale’s 2007 Zinfandel Monte Rosso from a parcel of red, rocky soils planted in Sonoma. It offers a distinctive earthy, red and black currant, and spicy-scented nose as well as a full-bodied, structured, tannic personality. It begs for at least a year of cellaring, and should evolve for a decade or more. This is a beautiful portfolio of wines from Robert Biale Vineyards. The Stagecoach Vineyard is a large parcel nearly 500 acres on the hillsides above Oakville. Tel. (707) 257-7555