2021 Zakin Estate Hillside Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
We are so pleased to release our 2021 Zakin Hillside Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s a beautiful wine that is approachable now and age worthy for 15 to 20 years. We are excited for you to try it knowing you will love it as much as we do.
The 2021 vintage marks our first Cabernet release following the challenging 2020 Glass and Lightning fires. Despite the grape recovery process from both fires and the ongoing drought, the overall quality of the 2021 harvest exceeded all our expectations. The grapes displayed a remarkable depth of color, a well-balanced tannin structure, and optimal chemistry.
Winemaker, Philippe Melka writes of the 2021 Hillside Cabernet that, “The aromatics explode out of the glass with blackberry and raspberry, violets, savory herbs, and crushed granite. The mouthfeel expresses a balanced structure with beautiful velvety tannins and lively acidity. The wine shows power and tension with flavors of black cherry and cocoa powder, a classic expression of a hillside Cabernet.”
The unique growing conditions of 2021 resulted in smaller berries and clusters, leading to a 16% lower yield compared to 2019. With production of only 145 cases of 750’s and 30 magnums, the 2021 is the smallest release of our Hillside wine ever.
Crafted exclusively from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, the wine was aged approximately 18 months in 70% new French oak barrels, followed by 8 months in the bottle.
Price: $150 per 750mL, $350 per 1500mL
2019 Zakin Hillside Proprietary Red Wine Blend
The 2019 Hillside Cabernet Sauvignon is primarily grown in our back and pool blocks facing southwest on a beautiful hillside approximately 1,250 feet above the valley floor. These vineyards benefit from long exposures of direct sunlight during the growing season, great drainage and the rocky volcanic soil found on our entire estate. Like all our Estate wines, the vines are pruned to 1-2 clusters per vine.
The 2018 Hillside is blended with 82% Cabernet Sauvignon and 18% Cabernet Franc, fermented for 20 days on skins and aged for 20 months in 55% French new oak.
Winemaker Philippe Melka says the 2018 Hillside shows “black fruit with savory qualities of olive tapenade, crème de cassis, graphite, menthol and black cherry. On the palate, the wine shows great acidity and texture with layers of black and red fruit. The herbs, mint and cherries are the first thing that comes to mind. Super refined tannins hold the wine together giving it a great long finish.
This is a beautifully crafted wine by Philippe Melka which we are sure you will love.
Production: 173 Cases
$150.00 per 750ml bottle
2018 Zakin Hillside Proprietary Red Wine Blend
We are very excited to release the inaugural vintage of our 2018 Hillside Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. Primarily grown in our Pool Block facing south west on a beautiful hillside approximately 1,250 feet above the valley floor this block receives the most direct sunlight on the during the growing season and benefits from great drainage and the rocky volcanic soil found on our entire estate. We are sure you will love this wine.
The 2018 Hillside Estate is 81% Cabernet Sauvignon and 19% Cabernet Franc and aged for 20 months I 60% French new oak. Winemaker, Philippe Melka says the 2018 Hillside is “very expressive, characterized by complex aromatics of cedar, sap, forest floor, floral and fresh mint. The wine is full bodied with a powerful attack, layered with sweet vanilla and dusty oak, savory nuance and bright vivid red fruit.”
On the nose you get aromas of sage, garrigues, dry herbs with some earthy wet soil notes, while in mouth the Cabernet Franc give the wine backbone, beautifully highlights, and a long finish. This richly nuanced wine with supple tannins should age gracefully for many years.
Production: 257 Cases
$160.00 per 750ml bottle
2019 Zakin Family Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
“The [Zakin] 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is sensational. Dark cherry, plum, lavender, mocha (and) spices lend an explosive energy as this brilliant, textured Cabernet Sauvignon builds towards its phenomenal finish. 98pts. Antonio Galloni, Vinous, Napa Cabernets: Deep Dive, January 2022”
We are so proud of our 2019 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, and of the job Philippe Melka’s team and Silverado Farming did to create such a wonderful wine.
Antonio Galloni includes our 2019 Zakin Estate in his list of the top 24 wines of the vintage and writes "these are the most memorable wines I tasted. Not just the very high scorers, but wines of true distinction readers should be on the lookout for. These are the wines I would want to personally own most." He calls Zakin Wines “One of Napa Valley’s under the radar gems."
Philippe Melka, in his winemaker notes, writes, “Dark color with super expressive aromatics … dark cherry, lavender, menthol and graphite. Full body with layers and layers of refined tannins and hints of sweet fruit. The wine is a true showcase of the Zakin Estate with tons of herbs …. Excellent acidity, super long finish and tension. This wine is complete and refined with great aging potential while already drinking well”.
“The 2019 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon could be the finest release yet from the Zakin's… a complex aromatic profile... that possesses a gorgeous full-bodied texture with remarkable freshness and purity...outstanding overall balance and precision. Winemaker Philippe Melka has crafted an absolutely incredible wine”. 98 pts International Wine Report, July 2022
The 2019 Zakin Estate Cabernet is comprised of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc. This unique blend for our Estate wine, with a significantly larger proportion of Cab Franc, provides depth and a fantastic, long finish. The wine was fermented in individual lots, in stainless steel tanks, for an average of 23 days on skins. It was then aged in 56% French new oak for 20 months.
Only 197 cases of this fantastic wine was produced.
$300.00 per 750ml bottle
2018 Zakin Family Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
We are very excited to release our beautiful, expressive 2018 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, which we feel is one of our best wines to date. We are sure you will love it. The wine is 100% Estate grown primarily on our Howell Mountain property facing southwest and situated 1,450 feet above the valley floor. The vineyard benefits from rocky volcanic soil and a southwest exposure; conditions ideal for creating rich, beautifully balanced Cabernet Sauvignon.
2018 was an excellent vintage with large, clean fruit and little shrivel resulting in wines of wonderful depth and complexity that will age beautifully over the years. Our selective harvesting started with our Cabernet Franc on September 27 and ended with the last Cabernet Sauvignon being picked on October 13.
You can read more about the 2018 Growing Season here.
The 2018 Zakin Estate is comprised of 99% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Cabernet Franc. The wine was fermented in individual lots, in stainless steel tanks, for an average of 23 days on skins. It was then aged in 56% French new oak for 20 months. There was no fining or filtration.
“The 2018 Zakin Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is an exceptional showing of the elegance and restraint of this special site. Inky on the nose & palate, the wine explodes with aromas of dusty blushed berries, pomegranate, and cocoa shavings. Hints of savory black truffle and sea breeze open to a densely layered core of black currant tapered with crushed rocks and a touch of perfumed cedar. The wine expresses a precise tension on the palate- rich and vibrant with a firm backbone and textured, linen-like tannins. The finish is focused but lush, rounding out generously to notes of red fruits and mint. There is a classic feel to this wine that is truly sensational”. Winemaker, Philippe Melka
“The 2018 Zakin Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is a sensational wine that shows wonderful restraint and poise... it evolves beautifully in the glass and possesses a vibrant medium to full body that is beautifully tapered and backed by a racy core of red and dark currants, florals, spices and minerals that all build up to the polished finish. This is a gorgeous release from the Zakin’s and winemaker Philippe Melka”, International Wine Report, 97 points.
Production: 227 cases
$300.00 per 750ml bottle
2017 Zakin Family Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
We are very excited to release our beautiful, expressive 2017 Estate Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon. We are sure you will love it. The wine is Estate grown on our Howell Mountain property situated 1,450 feet above the valley floor.
2017 was a year of extremes with high levels or precipitation that ended the great drought of the prior years and devastating fires that began on October 8th. We were very fortunate that there was no fire or smoke damage to the grapes as our harvest ended one day before the fires started on October 8th. You can read more about the Growing Season here.
2017 Estate is comprised of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Cabernet Franc. Coming primarily from Block 3 in our Howell Mountain AVA, and our pool bloc which benefits from its steep rocky soil and a southwest exposure, the wine is “rich, ample, and creamy…with tremendous depth and resonance…Super-ripe red cherry fruit, pomegranate, mint, spice and blood orange are some of the many aromas that round out this super expressive wine. ” — Antonio Galoni, Vinous.
You can read all of the reviews here.
Production: 274 cases
$285.00 per 750ml bottle
2016 Zakin Family Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
Our 2016 Estate Cab is a wine we are very proud of and one we know you will truly enjoy. Made with 91% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Cabernet Franc, fermented on their skins for 26 days and then aged for 20 months in 80% French New oak the wine
“…is a real stunner. Savory, dense and beautifully layered in the glass, the 2016 has so much to offer. Dried rose petal, lavender, mint and kirsch give the 2016 striking savory nuance to play off a core of bright, beautifully chiseled fruit.” — Antonio Galloni, Vinous.
The deep purple color and medium to full bodied wine
“… leaps from the glass… with fantastic intensity and energy, finishing on a beautiful mineral note.” — Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate.
Production of the 2016 is 200 cases of 750ml, 7 six packs of Magnums and 4 3L bottles.
2015 Zakin Family Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
“Dark garnet in color the Estate 2015 exhibits … beautiful aromas of creme de cassis, licorice, raspberries as well as mulberry and a hint of tobacco. In mouth, soft, round layers fold aromas mid palate with soft but not overly sharp tannins and a long finish where the palate is filled with some flavors of mocha.” — Philippe Melka, Winemaker
“Super-ripe dark cherry, plum, mocha and sweet spice note abound in this voluptuous, racy Cabernet Sauvignon” — Antonio Galloni
The 2015 Zakin Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is a rich, complex, elegant wine. After aging 20 months in the barrel (70% French New Oak) and 16 months in the bottle, we feel that this wine is now exhibiting power, balance and a beautiful finish from the Cabernet Franc that we are sure you will appreciate and enjoy.
Production for 2015 was 245 cases of 750ml, 10 six packs of Magnum’s, and 6 3-liter bottles.
2014 Zakin Family Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
Drinking beautifully already with great integration of flavors of rich dark notes, coffee, nutmeg, sage and ripe raspberry - full of minerality and vibrancy so reminiscent of the site. This wine is more delicate and seductive than the previous vintages.Philippe Melka
Spearmint, mountain sage, tarragon, and bright raspberries hang suspended from a blueberry cloud. Stepping forward the wine boldly dances over the palate with blackberry and velvet tannins. The arrival is robust and unmistakable, crisp and even, but teasing further embraces with a moments patience. As the flavors percolate the aromas become more heady, darker, bolder, more unctuous - redoubling it's focus and driving, reaching, striving… There is no mistaking 2014 Zakin Estate for any other wine.Sommelier, Augie Kersting, Carbon
2013 Zakin Family Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
The 2013 Zakin Family Estate wine shows concentrated purple at first sight that gives way to just a hint of color more consistent with Bordeaux.
The nose confirms this tendency, as the initial nose is extremely dense and populated with Bordeaux style aromatics of peppercorns and pencil shavings. Tucked behind these aromatics is fresh Napa fruit of raspberry and wild strawberries.
As the wine continues to drink oxygen, it starts to achieve more and more harmonious aromas, launching into lavender, violets, rosemary, sage, tobacco as well as succulent and vibrant Napa fruits of blackberry, cassis, and ripe raspberry.
All the while the tannin structure is impeccably polished and persistent. The wine lingers on the palate with immensely fresh acidity. Structured, balanced and harmonious, the 2013 estate gives all the impression of being able to age indefinitely.
Augie Kersting, former Estate Sommelier at Meadowood Resort
2012 Zakin Family Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
“The herbaceous, cracked pepper notes of the Cab Franc in this premium blend are complimented by the racy dark fruit characteristics of the Cabernet Sauvignon. Showcasing some scents of spice, cinnamon, tobacco and black raspberry. This wine is about elegance but also shows some soft tannins expressing the hillside vineyard and the Cabernet Franc.”
Philippe Melka, Winemaker.The 2012 Zakin Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is our inaugural bottling and our third release behind the 2013 and the 2014. After bottling the 2012, we felt the wine would improve with age and decided to hold it back until we felt it reached its full potential. After 18 months in the bottle, we feel that this wine is now exhibiting power, balance and a beautiful finish that you will appreciate.
Comprised of 100% estate grown Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc and aged for 21 months in 77% French New Oak, the wine has both elegance and complexity.
“Soft in texture, “harmonious filled with chocolate cherry and shows some expresso on the finish”
Philippe Melka, Winemaker.
2020 Zakin Russian River Valley Chardonnay
We are very excited to release our first Chardonnay from the Russian River Valley AVA, in Sonoma. Beautifully crafted and balanced, the 2020 Zakin Chardonnay is made by Philippe Melka with grapes from the iconic Ritchie Vineyard.
While the 2020 vintage was challenging, to say the least, it did generate exceptional fruit and wonderful Chardonnays. The Russian River Valley experienced low rainfall in early 2020, setting the region up for a low-yielding season. Not only did this translate to concentrated, high-quality fruit, but it led many vintners to harvest early, escaping the devastation of a horrible fire season.
Philippe Melka writes, “Firm bright acid provides a beautiful structure to this wine. Pale yellow straw in color, the 2020 Zakin Russian River Valley Chardonnay is loaded with aromas of lemon peel and apple with a hint of guava. The racy acid of this wine lends it to pairing beautifully with a multitude of fish and shellfish in a rich sauce, as well as just sipping together with family and friends. Serve at cellar temp or slightly cooler to allow time for the aromas to evolve naturally in your glass.”
We are very proud of this wine and are sure you will love it as well.
Interested in scheduling a tasting at the Brasswood Winery and tour of our vineyards? Please call or text Jan at 415-793-6354, or email at jan@zakinwines.com. We look forward to seeing you!
Production: 74 cases
$85.00 per 750ml bottle
2019 Zakin Carneros Napa Valley Chardonnay
We are very excited to release our 2019 Zakin Chardonnay, a beautiful, balanced wine from the Carneros Napa Valley AVA.
This area is known for its cool, moist, foggy weather that produces elegant Chardonnays with crisp acidity and fruit. Heavy rains early in the season followed by moderate temperatures make the 2019 vintage particularly representative of these characteristics.
Philippe Melka writes, “Fresh and lively, the 2019 Zakin Chardonnay possesses aromas of bright green apples, tart lemon and a mineral driven wine that reflects a cooler climate chardonnay coming from the Carneros AVA. Beautiful notes of stone fruit lead into a substantial mid-pallet richness and lends the wine a pleasant weight that is in perfect balance with its lively, generous acidity. It has a velvety texture, is lush medium bodied with nuances of light hazelnut and oaky notes on the finish. Drinks wonderfully now and will continue to do so for the next decade.”
We are very proud of this wine and are sure you will love it as well.
Interested in scheduling a tasting at the Brasswood Winery and tour of our vineyards, please call or text Jan at 415-793-6354, or email at jan@zakinwines.com. We look forward to seeing you!
Production: 48 cases
$75.00 per 750ml bottle
