I’m a little concerned about this bottle, the cork is showing signs of seepage, but here goes. Deep ruby colored, slight staining, and high viscosity (14.5% ABV). The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of blackberry coulis, vanilla, baking spice, black plum reduction, a hint of eucalyptus, toasted oak, cedar lined cigar box, acai berry, a trace of toasted coconut, and a touch of cassis. There’s obvious ripeness in this Napa Cabernet- the sun was definitely shining! The palate is dry, with medium (+) acidity, a full body, and medium (+) tannins- but there’s also a definitive sourness to the wine. Is it seepage from the cork? The fruit is slightly muted, but still showing ripeness and structure. The tannins smooth out nicely and the finish is long with dark fruit dominating, yet there’s something slightly out of balance. For such a rich and ripe wine, the tartness is quite obvious. I wonder if the bottle is flawed? Tertiary development is forthcoming as the primary fruit is still the driving force, I would imagine a long lived wine if stored correctly and a cork that was intact. I can only go 92 points on this award winning wine which runs $257 ex-chateau. 3 stars- pairing with grilled tri-tip. Salut….
ZD Wines Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Napa Valley, California
21 Sunday Sep 2025
Posted in Wine reviews


