Mission Codename The Big Zukowski
“Knights Valley, which lies in Sonoma County and borders Napa Valley’s Calistoga AVA, is a terrific source for affordable Cabernet Sauvignon.” – Antonio Galloni’s Vinous
Unlike Game of Thrones, this Knight’s tale has an amazing finish. If you crave big bold Napa Cabernet but wish you could get it from Operative-favorite Deerfield Ranch, look no further!
Robert Rex brings you this V8, four-on-the-floor, redline-be-damned banger of a vineyard-designate Cab, sacrificing nothing, and cutting no corners.
Except for the price, today only, cut nearly in half…
At the northeastern most portion of Sonoma County, Knights Valley lies between Alexander Valley, and St. Helena, with ‘terroir’ that’s as identical to the Napa experience as you’ll find on Sonoma side. It’s a tiny area cherished by the likes of Peter Michael, Beringer, Anakota, with steep hills and narrow valley floors, challenging to plant and farm, but well worth it for the adventurous vintner. In fact, Mark Zukowski, was a molecular biochemist before he decided his heart was in the vineyard. He applied his analytical mind when searching for the perfect site for world-class Cabernet.
After Robert discovered the caliber of fruit that Mark had been studiously cultivating, it wasn’t long before their collaboration led to these incredibly high-caliber wines. The duo made their first vintage was 2007, and by 2012, the partnership between grower and winemaker had been dialed in. The 2012 vintage was the first in a string of near perfect harvests too, and this resulted in some of the most incredible Cabs Deerfield has ever produced.
At ten years old this is just coming into its own, with a firm footing of deep, dark, dense fruit at its core. The color has barely budged from a deep ruby, darkly opaque almost all the way to the rim. Immediately evocative on the nose with black cherry liqueur, mulberries, and blackcurrants layered with licorice, and incense. Terrific in texture, opulent, full-bodied mouthfeel, stunning purity, yet with freshness and liveliness coming through the exotic oak spices and forest floor nuances on a strikingly seamless and lengthy finish that is simply remarkable. If you ever put a wild boar stew with dried fruits together, you’ll NEED at least 2 bottles of this, one while braising, one at the dinner table!
Fun fact: Wine Spies’ beloved CEO Agent Cru, actually sorted these grapes on the crush pad with Mark Zukowski himself. The conversation revolved around the fascinating science behind viticulture and enology that led Mark to quit his career to spend all his time founding a vineyard and growing grapes.
We’re blessed to bring you access to this library GEM, time and again DR flies off the proverbial shelf so grab all you can fast.
Tasting Profile
Black cherry liqueur, mulberries, blackcurrant, incense
Look | The color has barely budged from a deep ruby, darkly opaque almost all the way to the rim |
---|---|
Smell | Evocative black cherry liqueur, mulberries, blackcurrants layered with licorice, and incense |
Taste | Terrific in texture, opulent, full-bodied mouthfeel, stunning purity, freshness, and liveliness |
Finish | Exotic oak spices and forest floor nuances on a strikingly seamless, lengthy, remarkable finish |
Pairing | Wild boar stew with dried fruits, at least 2 bottles, one while braising, one at the dinner table |
What the Winery Says
2012 Zukowski Vineyard Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
- Winemaker
- Robert Rex
- Varietals
- 78% Cabernet, 16% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc
- Vintage
- 2012
- Alcohol
- 14.1%
- Appellation
- Knights Valley, Sonoma County
- Vineyard
- Zukowski Vineyard
- Aging
- 32 months
- Barrels
- New & seasoned French and American oak
- Production
- 11 barrels