Private Reserve Zephyr Cabernet Sauvignon

Certainly a very good Napa producer that still largely flies under the radar. This is delicious.

The nose is a 95. Ruby currants & cassis, dark chocolate wrapped in bright & withering dark, purple, red flowers laid on violets with baking & dark Middle Eastern spices dashed on top. Boysenberries, mulberries, slightly, candied & ruby raspberries, black raspberries, baked, black plum, strawberries on the high nose, star anise, black licorice, mocha, caramel, limestone, dry sage, thyme, touch of rosemary, dry top soil, black, rich earth, slightly moist clay with light notes of dark berry cola & dark fruit roll-ups.

The palate is; round, ripe, lush, juicy and simply delicious. The round tannins are; slightly tarry, meaty with cocoa powder. This is a good check on the 12 which, is still ascending. The structure & tension are just get to their good drinking point. The length & balance are really good with better things ahead. She is an elegant beauty. This has another 15 plus years of good drinking ahead of it. However, the 12 vintage has always drunk well young. Dark cassis & currants, boysenberries, mulberries, slightly, candied & ruby raspberries, black raspberries, baked, black plum, strawberries, star anise, black licorice, mocha, melted caramel, dark spices with lots of palate heat, vanillin, clove, nutmeg, light cinnamon, limestone, dry sage, thyme, touch of rosemary, dry tobacco, wood shavings, graphite, dry underbrush, dry top soil, black, rich earth, slightly moist clay with light notes of dark berry cola & dark fruit roll-ups. The acidity is round, voluptuous & holds the slightly elevated alcohol level. The finish is all you want in a wine; ripe, ruby, juicy, balanced with warm earthiness that slides into spices that persist endlessly.

Photos of; the rotating waterfall/ball as viewed from their amazing terrace patio, the Estate with their signature windmill, tasting room and kitchen and their patio with views of the Estate and valley floor.

On the nose, ripe fruits with a hint of smoke. Blackberries, dark cherries, plum, black raspberries and poached strawberries, crushed dry rocks, black licorice, slightly sweet tarry notes, vanilla and amazing floral bouquet.

The palate is big, bold and full. Deep cassis. The fruits, ripe, juicy. Seamless wine. Blackberries, dark cherries, slight notes cooked rhubarb, dry cranberries & dark raisins with creamy raspberries on edges. Soft layers baking spices, wood notes, vanilla, some spice, leather, limestone minerals, dry crushed rock powder with dark, fresh & withering florals. Very good acidity and fresh, lively, elegant and balanced finish. Beautiful wine.

Photos of, the view from the tasting room patio with their classic logo Windmill, food pairing with the 12 Zephyr - Crispy Prosciutto, Brilliant Savarin, Basil, Estate Honey Comb, Crostini. All food prepared by Executive Chef Mark Caldwel. Blue crystal art that sits in their cellar hall and their rotating waterfall/ball on the back of the Estate.

Big ripe fruit up front. Good tobacco/cigar box mid. Really enjoyable.

On the nose; ruby, glowing, ripe, slightly candied fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, blue fruits and black raspberries. Soft minerals if you can call them that, caramel, cinnamon, vanilla, chocolate, whiff of black licorice and perfumed, red florals & roses. The beauty and quality of the fruits turn the eyes up. Bright and a sense dull at the same time. The body is full and beautiful. Tannins nicely round and soft for a 13. Its extremely silky & elegant. Fruits of; blackberries, blue fruits, plum, dark cherries, creamy raspberries, black raspberries, black plum and strawberries paint the background. Fruits are a touch gummy. Vanilla, caramel, dark chocolate, anise, mocha, soft leather, wood shavings, fine crushed rock powder & fine chalky minerals. Acidity near perfect. The structure, balance & length are well executed harmony. The finish is beautiful, well polished and lasts two minutes. Excellent pairing of Guinness Braised Beef Short Ribs, Horseradish Mashed Potatoes & Haricots Verts from Davis Estate Chef Mark Caldwell and featured in the middle left photo. Other photos of; the vines above the Estate, lobby and the vines/view from the Estate terrace.

Beautiful Boudreaux Blend : 87% Cabernet ... opens up very nicely red and dark fruit with loads of cocoa on the finish. Subtle oak - actually that could be the pork loin I have on the grill as I drink. Davis Estates is new-ish... but wow. Very very good wines. Get involved.

What a fruit bomb should taste like.

Crazy good blend. Finally here. Cheers!

Very balanced. So lovely!

Nice blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot.

Love love love this winery. Zephyr 2013 is 92%cab Sav , 5% can franc and 3% petit Verdot. Well balanced. Drinks well now. Won't disappoint but I'm sure a few years in the bottle will prove worth the wait.