Zd Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Abacus 750ml

$1174.99 $1029.99 price per bottle

Abacus is our ultimate Cabernet Sauvignon, combining the best qualities of an aged wine with the best of a youthful wine, together in one sumptuous mouthful. Incredible depth and complexity along with a deep, lingering finish are backed by an intense fruit character. The concept was born on a de Leuze family retreat, when ZD Winemaster, Robert and his brother, Brett were enjoying a wonderful old Cabernet Sauvignon. They agreed that the deep complexity and subtle nuances that develop in older wines are always accompanied by a loss of fruit. What if there was a way to blend the elegance of an older Cabernet Sauvignon with the intensity of fruit found in a younger wine? Always eager to accept a challenge, Winemaster Robert de Leuze took on the task of creating such a wine, unlike any other produced in the world. The result is a "solera style" multiple-vintage blend of every ZD Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ever produced, which is held in barrel until bottling. The first bottling, with the 1992 - 1998 vintages, was released November 1, 1999. Approximately 15% of the total blend was bottled in distinctive custom bottles, totaling 200 cases. The remainder was returned to barrel to await the next infusion of youthful fruit. Prior to the second bottling, the 1999 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon was added to the blend. This is the ongoing cycle of the ever-evolving solera; each year Abacus will increase by one vintage, gaining more and more complexity. It truly stands as a legacy to all future ZD winemakers. Producer The success of ZD Wines can only be attributed to the dedication and winemaking philosophy of the de Leuze family. As ZD Wines moves forward, the family continues to grow. In 1968, Norman de Leuze and Gino Zepponi pooled their resources of $3,000 apiece and applied for a winery permit. Producing world-class wines was the vision of these two former aerospace engineers who, in pursuit of their dream, launched ZD Wines. Their plan was to produce wines similar to those from the renowned Burgundy region of France using Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, at a time when there had not been a winery permit issued in Sonoma County in nearly 20 years. In the 1970’s and 80’s, Norman de Leuze paved the way for sustainable and organic farming in California’s cooler climates. After his passing a few years back, the family continues to produce wines with his personal, hands-on approach. Over the years, all of Norman and Rosa Lee’s children - Robert, Julie and Brett - have joined the winery staff. The family is now on it’s 4th generation to contribute their time and skills to the winery. Robert’s involvement began the day his father formed the winery and began crushing winegrapes. From the time he was 11 years old, Robert was never far behind Norman. In 1983, after years of practical experience and studying viticulture and enology at UC Davis, Robert became winemaker. In 1996 the de Leuze family purchased an historical, 33-acre vineyard in Carneros. Formerly owned by Irish immigrant Patrick Flanagan, the property is planted with 26 acres of Chardonnay. Another seven acres was planted with Pinot Noir which produced its first vintage in 1999. As the winery continues to grow, so does the vision of ZD Wines.