ZD Wines 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 750ml

ZD Wines has been quietly making some of Napa Valley's most consistent, well-regarded Cabernet Sauvignon since founders Norman deLeuze and Gino Zepponi established the winery in 1969 — a genuine pioneer of the modern Napa era, though ZD has always flown a bit under the radar relative to its neighbors. Today the winery remains entirely family-owned and operated across three generations of the deLeuze family, based at their Rutherford estate in the heart of Napa Valley, where both estate vineyards have been farmed organically since planting and received CCOF organic certification in 1999. Unlike most Napa Valley producers, who lean almost exclusively on French oak, ZD has long embraced American oak as a signature part of its house style, using it alongside a more limited amount of French oak.

The 2023 vintage has earned a genuinely remarkable sweep of competition results this year: 96 Points and a Double Gold Medal at the West Coast Wine Competition, 95 Points and a Double Gold Medal at the OC Fair Commercial Wine Competition, 95 Points and a Platinum Medal at the Monterey International Wine Competition, a Double Gold Medal at the Pacific Rim Wine Competition, and 94 Points and a Double Gold Medal at the California State Fair — five separate blind-judged competitions, each independently recognizing this exact wine at the top of its field. Rich Cook of Wine Review Online awarded 95 Points, and Ken's Wine Guide scored it 92 Points, rated "Very Good+."

For context on ZD's broader house style, the winery's 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon earned praise from Wine Enthusiast as "generous and energetic," joining "flavors of baked cherries and cranberries with a sprinkle of spice, vanilla and mocha cream, and almost-tobacco spices," with "fine, persistent tannins" carrying "through a long finish." Michael Apstein's broader assessment of the ZD Cabernet program describes a "plumy rich Napa Valley Cab" with "wide appeal because of its polish and voluptuousness without going over the top," noting that "though fruit focused, appealing earthy and herbaceous components appear in the finish," with "plenty of acidity to keep you coming back throughout a meal" — a wine he specifically recommends alongside a sirloin steak. This is a genuinely decorated, historically significant Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon — five major medals in a single vintage is a real, independently verified accomplishment.

Origins & Craftsmanship

ZD Wines was founded in 1969 by Norman deLeuze and Gino Zepponi (the "Z" and "D" of the winery's name), making it one of the pioneering wineries of the modern Napa Valley era. The winery remains family-owned and operated across three generations of the deLeuze family, based at their estate in Rutherford, a premier Cabernet Sauvignon-growing sub-appellation in the heart of Napa Valley. Both of ZD's estate vineyards have been farmed organically since they were first planted under the family's ownership, receiving CCOF organic certification in 1999, and are further certified through Fish Friendly Farming, Napa Green Winery, and California Certified Sustainable Winegrowing.

While most Napa Valley producers rely primarily on French oak, ZD has long distinguished itself by embracing American oak as a central part of its house style, using a more limited proportion of French oak alongside it. The winery's Cabernet Sauvignon draws on grapes sourced from across Napa Valley, including both of ZD's estate properties — their Rutherford estate is planted to roughly 3.2 acres of three distinct Cabernet Sauvignon clones (7, 15, and 337).

Critics Reviews

96 Points, Double Gold Medal — West Coast Wine Competition (2026)

95 Points, Double Gold Medal — OC Fair Commercial Wine Competition (2026)

95 Points, Platinum Medal — Monterey International Wine Competition (2026)

Rich Cook, Wine Review Online — 95 Points

94 Points, Double Gold Medal — California State Fair (2026)

Double Gold Medal — Pacific Rim Wine Competition (2026)

Ken's Wine Guide — 92 Points ("Very Good+")

Wine Enthusiast (2022 vintage, house-style context):
"Generous and energetic, this Cabernet Sauvignon joins flavors of baked cherries and cranberries with a sprinkle of spice, vanilla and mocha cream, and almost-tobacco spices. Fine, persistent tannins carry through a long finish."

Michael Apstein (house-style context):
"This plumy rich Napa Valley Cab will have wide appeal because of its polish and voluptuousness without going over the top. Though fruit focused, appealing earthy and herbaceous components appear in the finish. It has plenty of acidity to keep you coming back throughout a meal. It's a good choice for a sirloin steak."

Quick Overview

Food Pairings

• Sirloin steak or other grilled red meat
• Aged hard cheeses
• Rich, savory braises
• Dark chocolate desserts