Our three most critically-acclaimed Cabernet Sauvignons are aptly named our Platinum Wines. They consist of Poetry, from our flagship estate vineyard in the Stags Leap District, Songbook, which is sourced from two of renowned viticulturist David Abreu’s personally-farmed estates, and Beckstoffer To Kalon, broadly considered to be Napa Valley’s “first growth” vineyard site.
The only way to secure priority access to all three of these coveted wines is to join our Platinum Playlist.
The result of meticulous attention to detail throughout the winemaking process, the fresh and lively 2021 Poetry’s effortless character belies the precision and masterly artistry required to assemble our multi-layered grand vin.
100 Points – “The medium-bodied palate is so tightly wound at this youthful stage, slowly revealing layer upon layer of fragrant black and red fruits with loads of mineral sparks, supported by beautifully fine-grained yet firm tannins and seamless acidity, finishing with epic length and a whole firework display of mineral and floral notes. This is gorgeous. ” Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Independent
The Poetry Vineyard, carved into a steep west-facing hillside, reaches from the highest elevations of the Stags Leap District appellation to the valley floor. This vineyard draws its uniqueness from shallow, volcanic soils atop fractured shale. Due to the stressful nature of the site, planted with high vine density and farmed to very low yields, the vines develop slowly and produce small flavorful berries. The vineyard was designed by David Abreu and planted to legendary, proprietary heritage selections of Cabernet Sauvignon.
In the cool darkness of night, grapes were hand-picked into twenty-five-pound bins to minimize crushing. By early morning, the grapes were subjected to rigorous selection by our three-tiered sorting process, which includes our cutting-edge optical sorter and a slow, individual berry hand sort. Whole berries were gently delivered by gravity to tank by our unique crane system, which kept the berries intact. Cold soaks lasted from five to eight days, and fermentations were managed through a combination of pump overs and délestage. Extended maceration of up to six weeks ensured exceptional extraction and fine-tuning of tannin profiles. Following twenty-one months of élevage in French oak barrels, 74% of which were new, the blend was selected from our best lots of the Poetry Vineyard.
There is an effortlessness and ease to the 2021 Poetry that springs from the continuity and familiarity of its caretakers and the experience of the vines themselves as their roots dig deep into the shallow unforgiving terraces of rock and rhyolitic crevices. Wafts of warm summer mulberries, fractured rock, and violet perfume envelop the glass. Wild blackberry preserves form the flavor on the entry and combine with tantalizing, black truffle, sea salt, and steak au poivre juices. Plush tannin swathes the finish and wraps the tongue in a mineral laden, majestic embrace where the flavors linger long and pleasingly – Christopher Tynan, Director of Winemaking
Beneath the 2021 Songbook’s shy, demure initial impression, simmers a dashing and seductive exilir.
98 Points “The 2021 SongBook Cabernet Sauvignon is composed of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 6% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple in color, it charges out of the gate with evocative notes of kirsch, redcurrant jelly, blackcurrant pastilles, and rose oil leading to hints of cast-iron pan, crushed rocks, and baker’s chocolate. The medium-bodied palate is chock full of mineral-laced black-red berry layers supported by firm, very finely-grained tannins, and just enough freshness, finishing long and fragrant. 352 cases were made.” – Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Independent
2021 Songbook is sourced from two acclaimed Napa Valley vineyards – David Abreu’s Madrona Ranch Vineyard, nestled in the foothills of the Mayacamas mountain range, and our Poetry Estate Vineyard. These vineyards produce grapes of exceptional character resulting from proprietary clones, extremely low yields, and meticulous farming.
In the cool darkness of night, grapes were hand-picked into twenty-five-pound bins to minimize crushing. By early morning, the grapes were subjected to rigorous selection by our three-tiered sorting process, which includes our cutting-edge optical sorter and a slow, individual berry hand sort. Whole berries were gently delivered by gravity to tank by our unique crane system which kept the berries intact. Cold soaks lasted from five to eight days, and fermentations were managed through a combination of pump overs and délestage. Extended maceration of up to six weeks ensured exceptional extraction and fine-tuning of tannin profiles.
Beneath the 2021 Songbook’s shy, demure initial impression, simmers a dashing and seductive elixir. A little time in the glass reveals comely warm slate, wild blackberry preserves, iron, violets, and cedar aromas. A liquid minerality is intertwined throughout the black licorice, cocoa powder, chocolate cake, and cinnamon flavors. This sumptuous wine finishes lively and precise, shining with fresh acidity and supportive tannin that will carry this wine on its long journey ahead. – Christopher Tynan, Director of Winemaking
98 points -“The single-varietal 2021 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is deep garnet-purple in color. Quite closed to start off, it needs a lot of patient swirling to coax out notes of fresh black cherries, boysenberry preserves, and warm cassis followed by nuances of lilac, iron ore, cumin seed, and tree bark. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers a rock-solid frame of firm, grainy tannins and well-knit freshness to counter the powerful black fruits, finishing on a lingering ferrous note. 467 cases were made.”. – Lisa Perotti-Brown, The Wine Independent
Situated on the western Oakville bench, the celebrated Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard has gravelly loam soils with high mineral content derived from sedimentary deposits of the volcanic Mayacamas Mountains and the alluvial fan of the Napa River. The vineyard has low organic matter content and thorough drainage, which devigorates the vines and produces small berries that are ideal for wines with intense concentration. The site is warm and sunny throughout the day, but cooled by late afternoon breezes, producing ripe Cabernet Sauvignon with lovely acidity. The blocks that make up our blend represent a diverse array of the Beckstoffer To Kalon terroir and clonal selection, creating a unique and extraordinary wine from this critically praised site.
In the cool darkness of night, grapes were hand-picked into twenty-five-pound bins to minimize crushing. By early morning, the grapes were subjected to rigorous selection by our three-tiered sorting process which includes our cutting-edge optical sorter, and a slow, individual berry hand sort. Whole berries were gently delivered by gravity to tank by our unique crane system which kept the berries intact. Cold soaks lasted from five to eight days, and fermentations were managed through a combination of pump overs and délestage. Extended maceration of up to six weeks ensured exceptional extraction and fine-tuning of tannin profiles.
The deep dark ruby colored 2021 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon, Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard boasts a brooding perfume of sultry violets, wild blackberry, and black figs. Red currant, black cherry, and mulberry preserve flavors permeate the entry tinged with cinnamon and nutmeg notes. Hallmark accents of gravelly loam, graphite, and crème de cassis open along the fresh finish and linger long after tasting. This raw multilayered wine will continue to open and gain immense depth and length with proper cellaring. – Christopher Tynan, Director of Winemaking