14.5% abv. Deep purple color. Cassis on the nose. Both nose and palate reflect dark ripe berries with soft, chewy tannins becoming integrated. Attractive berry/cassis notes glide over the tannins. It's quite delicious IMHO and delivers a bit of a buzz with the over 14% alcohol. A good foil to the broiled strip steak, twice-baked potato and baked beans.
I was first introduced to ZD Wines back in the 70's at Bassin's California Barrel Tasting in DC and was impressed with the C.S. Reserve. I still am from this sampling of the 2005 vintage. The label speaks of very limited production from low-yielding vineyards and three years of aging in small oak cooperage. It was a little pricy for me in terms of domestic wines but maybe worth the tariff.