The 2014 ZD Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is an outstanding example of an exceptional vintage. Early bud break, followed by a warm, dry summer – that also included a 6.0 earthquake in Napa on August 24 – led to an early harvest that quickly revealed the supreme quality of the vintage.
All of the fruit for this wine came from several small, intensely farmed, organically certified vineyards in the Napa Valley, including ZD’s Rutherford Estate. Each vineyard lot was fermented and barrel aged separately for one year before blending. After several blind tastings in spring of 2015, the Reserve lots were blended together and aged for an additional two years in American Oak barrels.
This wine is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Classic cassis, red plum and black cherry make up the core of dense ripe fruit. Subtle notes of clove, tobacco, cedar and vanilla add to the complexity. On the palate, silky soft tannins envelop the fruit and the wine finishes incredibly long and lush. Only 32 barrels of this wine were produced.
