Davis Estates

Private Reserve Zephyr Cabernet Sauvignon

9.212 ratings
9.23 pro ratings
Napa Valley, California, USA
Cabernet Sauvignon
Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Pasta, Venison, Tomato-Based, Potato, Pork, Chocolate & Caramel, White Rice, Mushrooms, Beef, Lamb, Chili & Hot Spicy
Top Notes For
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

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.

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.

Dec 21st, 2019
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

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.

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.

Aug 22nd, 2018
Wesley Chan

Very balanced. So lovely!

Very balanced. So lovely!

Jun 4th, 2017
Michelle Montz

Michelle had this 4 years ago

Michelle had this 4 years ago

Jul 1st, 2020
Don Baker

Don had this 6 years ago

Don had this 6 years ago

Dec 13th, 2017
Lindsey Weicht

Lindsey had this 7 years ago

Lindsey had this 7 years ago

Jul 15th, 2017
Alan Mason

Alan had this 8 years ago

Alan had this 8 years ago

Mar 7th, 2016
James Pendergrass

James had this 9 years ago

James had this 9 years ago

Oct 17th, 2015
Roberta Anderson

Roberta had this 9 years ago

Roberta had this 9 years ago

Aug 20th, 2015
Chris Madrid

Chris had this 9 years ago

Chris had this 9 years ago

Apr 22nd, 2015