As we reflect on the 2023 growing season, it’s impossible not to feel both grateful and a bit in awe of what Mother Nature handed us this year. 2023 was, by all measures, a pristine growing season. But let’s not forget, even a standout year has its fair share of challenges. At Robert Biale Vineyards, we’re feeling incredibly optimistic about the quality of the fruit and the wines you’ll soon be tasting.
The season kicked off with late and heavy rains that lingered longer than expected, saturating the soil and bringing a rare kind of richness and vigor to our vines. Add to that a cooler-than-usual summer, and we found ourselves with a vintage that offered a slower, more thoughtful pace—a chance to pick with precision and patience, rather than the frenzied dash to the finish line that some harvests can bring. What does all that mean for you? It means the wines you’ll soon be sipping from this vintage will showcase a brightness and an approachability that is simply…well, it’s Biale.
Now, in the spirit of “radical candor”—a lesson I learned from a mentor who taught me that honesty and respect go hand in hand—I want to be transparent about why you’re receiving the 2022 Black Chicken in the first club shipment instead of the 2023. The truth? It’s all part of a logistics play. We found ourselves with a bit more of the 2022 Black Chicken than anticipated. While we could’ve moved that wine through other channels, we made a conscious choice to share it with you instead. Why? Because, in our experience, the Black Chicken only gets better with a little time in the bottle, developing even deeper character. We’ve often joked about folks diving into it a bit too early, so consider this your chance to savor it as it was meant to be enjoyed—with a touch of extra age.
Thank you, as always, for being part of our family. We’re excited for what’s to come and can’t wait to hear what you think.
Warmly,
Alex Biale
Andrew Lincoln Photography