ZD Library Selection 45th Anniversary Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
(Napa Valley, California) - [WRO 95]

The 2013 vintage marked ZD Wines' 45th anniversary, and this new release Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a great example of our commitment to producing intensely flavored and well-balanced wines. The 2013 season proved consistent with what this region is known for: superb growing conditions that lead to exquisite wines. Early bud break and mild weather during flowering led to a modest crop. A warm, dry summer and early fall allowed ripening to progress at an even pace, leading to excellent maturities.

ZD’s Napa Cabernets are produced from several small, intensely farmed vineyards, and the final blend consistently results in a unique wine layered with flavor and complexity. Each vineyard lot is fermented separately in small open top fermentors with regular hand punch downs during fermentation, ensuring a gentle extraction of tannin and color. After one year in American Oak barrels and frequent blind tastings at the winery, the vineyard lots are blended and barrel aged for an additional year before bottling.

This wine exhibits intense aromas of blackberry, plum, and cassis, with hints of cocoa, cedar, and sweet vanilla. The palate is marked by incredibly concentrated black fruits enveloped with ripe, lush tannins, and well-balanced acidity. It is drinking beautifully now, and will continue to develop complexity over many years to come.

Points & Reviews

95 Points - Wine Review Online:

"ZD made its reputation in the 1980s producing world class Chardonnay. It still does, thank you, but in recent vintages the stars have realigned and now Cabernet Sauvignon may well be the winery’s most important grape. The 2013 Cabernet is a stunning wine that will rival any Napa Cab you are likely to find from this very good vintage. Well proportioned, with outstanding weight and depth, yet beautifully balanced, it shows notes of cassis and blackberry, excellent balance and a subtle note of oak spice. This wine was a Platinum award-winner at the 2016 Winemaker Challenge International Wine Competition." - Robert Whitley (Jan 2016)