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From Homebrewer to Master Winemaker! How Chris Tynan Tinkered His Way To The Top Levels of Napa Valley Winemaking.
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2022 ACCOLADES
2022 Cliff Lede Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley
Rating: 93 points
Review by: Owen Bargreen
Release Date: September 2023
“The delicious 2022 Cliff Lede ‘Napa Valley’ Sauvignon Blanc has some Semillon blended in from their estate vineyards in Calistoga. The smooth texture is really outstanding as nutmeg drenched pear, brioche and shades of papaya all come together neatly on the palate. Finishing long, this is a beautiful wine that is showing great in its youth. Drink 2023-2030.”
2021 ACCOLADES
2021 Cliff Lede “Poetry” Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District
Rating: 100 points – The Wine Independent
Review by: Lisa Perrotti Brown
Release Date: September 2024
“The 2021 Poetry Cabernet Sauvignon, made from 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot, is deep garnet-purple in color. The nose is incredibly shut down at this stage, needing patient swirling to unlock expressive notes of Morello cherries, black raspberries, blackcurrant cordial, and redcurrant jelly giving way”
Rating: 98 points – Vinous
Review by: Antonio Galloni
Release Date: September 2024
“The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Poetry is one of the very finest wines I have ever tasted from Cliff Lede and longtime winemaker Chris Tynan. A classic Stags Leap Cabernet, the 2021 races across the palate with dense, inky fruit, crème de cassis, lavender, licorice, chocolate, spice and espresso. Even with all of its natural density, the 2021 is plush, silky and exceptionally beautiful. Most importantly, Tynan has done an admirable job in taming the tannins in this steep, rocky site, which is an impressive feat. I loved it.”
Rating: 96 points – The Wine Enthusiast
Review by: Jim Gordon
Release Date: September 2024
“This well-balanced and elegant wine shows beautifully integrated black fruits, oak spices and hints of mint and cedar in the aroma, with similarly delicious flavors wrapped in fine-grained tannins for a velvety texture. Blended with small percentages of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it offers finesse and complexity. Best from 2025–2035.”
Rating: 95+ points – The Wine Advocate
Review by: Joe Czerwinski
Release Date: September 2024
“There are almost 2,000 cases of the impressive 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Poetry, a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 6% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot from the estate’s steep, rocky Poetry Vineyard. After 21 months in 74% new French oak, it’s marked by scents of mocha and cedar, but they’re beautifully complemented by layers of ripe black cherries and plums. The wine is full-bodied in the mouth, rich and velvety in feel, with a long, elegant finish and a dusting of firm but fine-grained tannins. It should have a long, harmonious evolution.”
2021 Cliff Lede “Rhythm” Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District
Rating: 97 points “Cellar Selection” – The Wine Enthusiast
Review by: Jim Gordon
Release Date: January 2024
“Powerful, seamless and saturated with flavor, this giant of a wine goes deep in black currants, black cherries and mint aromas. The dense, rather firm texture holds a tasty mélange of black cherries and black figs shaded by cedar, cocoa, tobacco and espresso. It needs several years to open up. Best from 2028–2040.”
Rating: 96 points – The Wine Independent
Review by: Lisa Perrotti Brown
Release Date: January 2024
“The 2021 Rhythm Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple in color, it pops from the glass with vibrant notes of wild blueberries, freshly crushed red and black currants, and juicy blackberries giving way to suggestions of cinnamon stick, violets, and cedar”
Rating: 94 points – Vinous
Review by: Antonio Galloni
Release Date: January 2024
“Another new wine in this range, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Rhythm shows a more muscular expression of Stags Leap, with firm, insistent tannins that are front and center. Perhaps the recent bottling has played an impact on how this shows. Dark red/purplish fruit, lavender, spice, new leather, licorice and cedar power through”
Rating: 93 points – The Wine Advocate
Review by: Joe Czerwinski
Release Date: January 2024
“The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Rhythm is the first release of this single-parcel wine from near the winery. A blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc, it comes off gravelly, alluvial soils and spent 21 months in 69% new French oak. Hints of leather and suede accent black cherries and blueberries on the nose, while the finish comes across as more savory, with notes of black olives and loamy earth. In between, it’s medium to full-bodied in the mouth, with a soft, velvety mouthfeel. In the crazy world of Napa Valley Cabernet pricing, it actually represents a decent value.”
2021 Cliff Lede “Songbook” Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Rating: 98 points – The Wine Independent
Review by: Lisa Perrotti Brown
Release Date: March 2024
“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.”
Rating: 95+ points – Vinous
Review by: Antonio Galloni
Release Date: March 2024
“The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Songbook is a powerful, driving wine. Vineyard sites are Madrona Ranch and Poetry, both of which tend to be quite tannic, so it is a blend of two things that are similar rather than contrasting. As a result, readers can expect a pretty driving, intense Cabernet Sauvignon with a ton of tannin and acid. I suspect it will come together, but patience is essential. A whole range of floral, savory and mineral notes linger.”
Rating: 94 points – The Wine Enthusiast
Review by: Jim Gordon
Release Date: March 2024
“This intense and tightly wound wine aged in 80% new oak is one to put away for a decade or more until the texture relaxes enough to reveal the complexities of flavor. At this stage, it mostly reveals wood char, graphite and bitter chocolate over black currants and black olives. Best from 2030.”
Rating: 93+ points – The Wine Advocate
Review by: Joe Czerwinski
Release Date: March 2024
“Primarily sourced from Madrona Ranch but bolstered by lots from the estate’s Poetry Vineyard, the 2021 Songbook Cabernet Sauvignon is 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 6% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot, aged 21 months in 80% new French oak. Hints of mint and violets accent mixed cherries and cassis on the nose, while the medium to full-bodied palate is silky textured and nicely balanced, framed by fine-grained tannins and finishing with graceful touches of dusty earth.”
2021 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon, Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard, Napa Valley
Rating: 98 points – The Wine Independent
Review by: Lisa Perrotti Brown
Release Date: May 2024
“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.”
Rating: 96 points – Vinous
Review by: Antonio Galloni
Release Date: May 2024
“The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon bristles with notable tension that plays off of the To Kalon signatures of inky dark fruit, lavender, licorice, spice, chocolate and espresso. The 2021 deftly balances richness with energy, a winning combination in my book. This is beautifully done.”
Rating: 95 points – The Wine Enthusiast
Review by: Jim Gordon
Release Date: May 2024
“Very ripe and velvety but deceptively tannic, this sleeper of a wine made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon holds its late-harvest fruit flavors firmly without being astringent. Blackberries, roast beef, wood char and black pepper notes give a meaty expression on the palate and finish. Best from 2027–2037.”
Rating: 94+ points – The Wine Advocate
Review by: Joe Czerwinski
Release Date: May 2024
“All Cabernet Sauvignon (clones 4, 7 and 337), Cliff Lede’s 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon avoids any excess ripeness, boasting elegant hints of crushed stone and pencil shavings against a backdrop of black cherries, cassis and dusty earth. Only medium to full-bodied, it’s tart and silky—quite classic in style—finishing long and fine, with a dusting of fine-grained tannins.”
2021 Cliff Lede “Diamond Sky”, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rock Block Series, Stags Leap District
Rating: 95 points – Vinous
Review by: Antonio Galloni
Release Date: May 2024
“The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond Sky is fabulous. Rich and explosive, with gorgeous purity of fruit, the 2021 is super-impressive. Dark red cherry, plum, pomegranate, spice, new leather and incense show tremendous purity. Fine, silky tannins wrap it all together in style, while time in the glass brings out depth.”
Rating: 94 points “Cellar Selection“- The Wine Enthusiast
Review by: Jim Gordon
Release Date: May 2024
“This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Malbec is one for long-term cellaring, and could be magnificent with time. Very firm tannins coat the deep, dark fruit and chocolate flavors for a tooth-drying sensation that will soften over the years. Black cherries, dark chocolate and blueberries will emerge. Best from 2028–2040.”
Rating: 93 points – The Wine Advocate
Review by: Joe Czerwinski
Release Date: May 2024
“All from the estate’s Stags Leap District vineyards, the 2021 Diamond Sky Red Wine is 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Petit Verdot, 17% Malbec and 1% Merlot, all aged 21 months in 88% new French oak. Despite the high proportion of new wood, the oak doesn’t dominate, ceding ground to scents of violets, plums, cassis and mulberries. The wine is medium to full-bodied and velvety in feel, with a vibrant, fresh yet also mocha-tinged finish.”
2021 Cliff Lede “High Fidelity”, Red Wine, Napa Valley
Rating: 94 points – The Wine Independent
Review by: Lisa Perrotti Brown
Release Date: February 2024
“The 2021 High Fidelity is composed of 65% Cabernet Franc, 27% Merlot, and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep garnet-purple in color, it swans out with flashy scents of Morello cherries, raspberry coulis, blueberry preserves, and dark chocolate followed by hints of lavender, mossy tree bark, and graphite plus a waft of rose petals. The medium to full-bodied palate is elegantly styled with soft-spoken black fruit and floral layers and a plush texture, finishing long and fragrant. 644 cases were made.”
Rating: 94 points– The Wine Enthusiast
Review by: Jim Gordon
Release Date: February 2024
“Extremely rich and deep, this wine blankets deep, dark fruit and oak-spice flavors in lavish, firm tannins that will need time to mature for best drinking. The concentration and layering are impressive and the spicy, dried-fruit mix is delicious. Best from 2027–2040.”
Rating: 92 points – Vinous
Review by: Antonio Galloni
Release Date: February 2024
“The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon High Fidelity is bright, deep and super-expressive. Dark red cherry/plum fruit, mocha, cedar and new leather give the 2021 lovely aromatic complexity. Medium in body, with bright acids, the High Fidelity is a fine introduction to the range and the style at Cliff Lede these days.”
Rating: 92 points – The Wine Advocate
Review by: Joe Czerwinski
Release Date: February 2024
“Cliff Lede’s 2021 High Fidelity Red Wine is 65% Cabernet Franc from Madrona Ranch, with the balance—27% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon—from Lede’s own vineyards. It’s gently floral and herbal, with shadings of violet and sage, tobacco and bay leaf, plus blueberry and cherry fruit. Medium to full-bodied, it’s silky and elegant, with ample length on the finish.”
2021 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Rating: 94 points– The Wine Enthusiast
Review by: Jim Gordon
Release Date: March 2024
“So silky and drinkable at the first sip, this well-concentrated wine feels tight and restrained with more tastes, holding its trove of black fruits, cedar, cinnamon and dark chocolate in a rich blanket of extra-fine tannins. Its complexity, layering and lingering finish are something special.”
2021 Cliff Lede Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley
Rating: 94 points “Editor’s Choice” – Wine Enthusiast
Review by: Virginie Boone
Release Date: April 2022
“This is an outstanding white blend of 90% Sauvignon Blanc with 9% Sémillon and 1% Sauvignon Vert. Bright and fresh in peach and wet stone, it is nicely textured, with just enough weight and breadth to add complexity and structure.”
2019 ACCOLADES
2019 Cliff Lede “Poetry” Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District
Rating: 100 points – Wine Advocate
Review by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown
Release Date: August 2023
“Medium to full-bodied, the palate is exquisitely fine-knitted with tons of graceful nuances intertwined with the many shades of black fruits, accented by SO MANY minerals, finishing epically long and staggeringly gorgeous. WOW!”
Rating: 98 points – Wine Enthusiast
Release Date: August 2023
“This is a beautiful expression of the grape, 100% varietal, and a stunning showcase of both producer and appellation. With a bright, inviting nose of violet and rose, it delves into a palate of refined tension and supple tannin. The core of red fruit is cohesive and earthy, with notes of dried herb, graphite and a hint of cigar. Enjoy best from 2029–2039. Cellar Selection.”
2019 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon, Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard, Napa Valley
Rating: 99 points – Jeb Dunnuck
Release Date: May 2022
“Sweet cassis, flowery incense, liquid violets, and spicy oak are just some of the nuances here, and this hits the palate with full-bodied richness, ultra-fine tannins, no hard edges, and one heck of a great finish. It’s impossible resist today, yet it’s another magical wine from this estate that will evolve for 20-25 years if stored correctly.”
Rating: 98 points – Wine Enthusiast
Release Date: May 2022
“Resplendently perfumed in lavender, clove and cassis, this wine is velvety smooth in tannin, with a lovely texture that persists through a balanced palate of refined elegance. Bright acidity coasts through, providing balance and dignity to the weight and breadth of the wine. Enjoy
best from 2029–2039. Cellar Selection.”
2019 Cliff Lede “Songbook” Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Rating: 98 points – Wine Enthusiast
Release Date: March 2023
This is a 100%varietal wine, an understated blockbuster that will stay on the mind and the palate for a long time. Black fruit is brooding in intensity. A great layer of tension adds texture and complexity, weaving within a level of freshness that is compelling and refreshing in such a complex, well-built and structured wine. Enjoy best from 2029–2039. Cellar Selection.”
Rating: 97 points – Wine Advocate
Review by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown
Release Date: March 2023
“Deep garnet-purple colored, it bursts with fresh red and black currants, ripe juicy plums and mulberries, plus hints of cedar and cigars with a waft of eucalyptus. Medium to full-bodied, refreshing and intense, it has ripe, grainy tannins and a bright, energetic finish.”
2019 Cliff Lede “Roundabout Midnight”, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rock Block Series, Stags Leap District
Rating: 98 points – Wine Enthusiast
Release Date: May 2022
“Smooth and supple in velvety tannin andintegrated oak. This blend contributes beautifully layered
fruit, a mix of dark and light, with bright underlying acidity and complex earth tones of dried herb,
crushed rock and graphite. Editors’ Choice.”
Rating: 94 points – Wine Advocate
Review by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown
Release Date: May 2022
“The rich, gregarious medium to full-bodied palate has velvety tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and spicy.”
2019 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District
Rating: 95 points – Wine Enthusiast
Release Date: February 2022
“This wine substantially overdelivers on its price point, presenting a dark fruit profile, generous tannin and oak, and an expansive full-bodied style. Blended with 8% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot, it is approachable while never forgetting its structured, complex roots. Editors’ Choice.”
Rating: 93 points – Jeb Dunnuck
Release Date: February 2022
“I loved the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, and readers looking for a great Napa Valley Cabernet under $100 shouldn’t hesitate. Deep purple-hued, with classic Cabernet dark red and black fruits, leafy tobacco, chocolate, and graphite, it’s medium to full-bodied, has a pure, elegant mouthfeel, integrated acidity, and polished tannins.”
2019 Cliff Lede “High Fidelity” Red Wine, Napa Valley
Rating: 94+ points – Wine Advocate
Review by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown
Release Date: February 2022
“Medium to full-bodied, tightly knit and grainy textured, it unfurls to reveal intense red and black fruit layers with a lively backbone and a savory finish.”
Rating: 94 points – Wine Enthusiast
Release Date: February 2022
“Leading with 53% Cabernet Franc, this blend contains 43%Merlot, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Petit Verdot, given 22 months in French oak, 43% of it new. It offers a bright, supple and forgiving tannin structure that allows the fruit to present in soft layers of velvety cassis, violet and dried herb, with subtle oak contributing a hint of spice.”
2019 Cliff Lede Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley
Rating: 93 points – Wine Enthusiast
Review by: Virginie Boone
Release Date: April 2020
“Seamless and supple, it explodes in lemon meringue, tangerine and a subtle hint of brioche, long on the finish in crushed rock and stone.”
Rating: 90 points – Wine Spectator
Review by: MaryAnn Worobiec
Release Date: April 2020
“Restrained and elegant, featuring plush flavors of melon, nectarine and apple, revealing a thread of spice and dried flowers. Delicate acidity weaves in and out. Finishes on a note of lemon curd. Drink now.”
2018 ACCOLADES
2018 Cliff Lede “Poetry” Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District
Rating: 100 points – Wine Advocate
Release Date: September 2021
“…The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Poetry prances out of the glass with impressively flamboyant scents of blackberry compote, blueberry preserves, blackcurrant pastilles and candied violets, giving way to nuances of dried roses, menthol, powdered cinnamon and aniseed with a waft of cedar chest. Full-bodied, the palate is impactful yet maintains compelling restraint, featuring layers of crunchy black fruits, exotic spices and floral hints, framed by firm, exquisitely ripe tannins and seamless freshness, finishing with epic length and depth. This is one of those beguiling 2018 Napa Cabernets that is simply going to blow you away!”
Rating: 98+ points – Jeb Dunnuck
Release Date: September 2021
“…Impressive cassis and blueberry fruits as well as notes of graphite, cedar pencil, bouquet garni, tobacco, iron, and spring flowers all define the bouquet. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it shows the tighter, more elegant, seamless style of the 2018 vintage yet packs beautiful mid-palate concentration, nicely integrated acidity, and a great finish. It doesn’t possess the same sexiness or sweet tannins found in the 2015 and 2016, but it’s pure class. Do your best to give bottles 3-5 years in the cellar and enjoy over the following 30 years or more.”
Rating: 98 points – Wine Enthusiast
Release Date: September 2021
“This blend of Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc comes from the proprietor’s Cliff Lede Vineyard. Structured, richly layered and dense, it is seamless, focused and full of intense tension, with notes of currant, raspberry, rose and violet. Drink 2028–2038. Cellar Selection.”
Rating: 97 points – Antonio Galloni
Release Date: September 2021
“The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Poetry is sourced from Cliff Lede’s best hillside blocks. It is one of the very best wines I have ever tasted here. Inky dark fruit, bittersweet chocolate, spice, new leather, licorice and new French oak are all beautifully woven together. The Poetry is rich and unctuous to the core. More importantly, the extraction here is spot on, so that the fruit takes center stage without the edginess of oak tannin that sometimes penalized these wines in the past. In a word: brilliant!”
2018 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon, Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard, Napa Valley
Rating: 98+ points – Wine Advocate
Release Date: May 2021
“…flamboyant notions of boysenberries, blackcurrant pastilles, stewed plums and violets plus suggestions of allspice, cumin seed, forest floor and unsmoked cigars with a waft of potpourri. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is an elegant powerhouse, quaking with the latent energy of restrained black fruit and earthy layers. It possesses seamless freshness and a fantastically long, fragrant earth and floral perfumed finish. It will require a good 3-5 years in cellar, but it will be well worth the wait.”
Rating: 96 points – Antonio Galloni
Release Date: May 2021
“The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard is a powerhouse. Readers will find a virile Cabernet that shows the more imposing, brooding side of To Kalon. Inky dark fruit, gravel, spice, menthol and new leather all open over time. The tannins are forbidding, though, patience is essential.”
Rating: 96 points – Wine Enthusiast
Release Date: May 2021
“The famous site helps to impart classical earthiness and herbal intensity to this wine, offering notes of crushed rock, iron, cedar and compost. Hugely structured and powerfully built, it shows an array of rich black fruit, oak and tannin, begging for time. Enjoy best from 2028–2038. Cellar Selection.”
Rating: 97 points – Jeb Dunnuck
Release Date: May 2021
“…Offering a rich, primordial bouquet of blackcurrants, scorched earth, tobacco, and graphite, it has an incredible sense of minerality and it’s your usual sexy To Kolan. It’s mostly potential at this point and needs to be forgotten for 4-5 years, but it’s a gorgeous, layered, complete wine that’s going to evolve for 20-30 years.”
2018 Cliff Lede “Songbook”, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Rating: 97 points – Jeb Dunnuck
Release Date: March 2022
“…A classic Cabernet by any measure, it offers dark, smoky notes of black fruits, smoked tobacco, chocolate, earth, and toasted spices. These carry to a full-bodied, rich, powerful 2018 with ample mid-palate depth, rounded, sweet tannins, and a lengthy finish that packs plenty of structure. This beauty needs 4-5 years of bottle age, but it’s another gorgeous 2018 that will be very long-lived.”
Rating: 96+ points – Wine Advocate
Release Date: March 2022
“…Deep garnet-purple in color, it needs a little coaxing to begin, soon unfurling to reveal fragrant scents of lilacs, Black Forest cake, Indian spices and cedar chest over a core of warm cassis, plum preserves and wild blueberries. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a solid frame of firm, grainy tannins and lovely freshness supporting the bright, crunchy black fruit layers, finishing long with loads of pepper and spice accents.”
Rating: 96+ points – Antonio Galloni
Release Date: March 2022
“…Inky dark raspberries, mocha, wild flowers, mint and cedar are some of the many aromas and flavors that gradually open in the glass. This vibrant, potent Cabernet Sauvignon has a ton to offer. In 2018, fruit sources were Madrona Ranch and Thorevilos.”
Rating: 95 points – Wine Enthusiast
Release Date: March 2022
“With 13% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot and 4% Cabernet Franc, this is a powerfully masterful, complex and memorable wine from winemaker Christopher Tynan from two sites, including Madrona Ranch. A sweetness of blackberry is complemented by toasted oak and a soft, supple richness of lengthy baking spice and dried herb. This is ageworthy; enjoy best from 2028–2038. Cellar Selection.”
2018 Cliff Lede “Magic Nights” ,Cabernet Sauvignon, Rock Block Series Stags Leap District
Rating: 95 points – Antonio Galloni
Release Date: May 2021
“…laced with inky dark fruit, licorice, crème de cassis, chocolate, sweet spice and licorice. I would give the tannins a few years to soften, but there is a lot to like and to look forward to here. This is an especially potent expression of Stags Leap, and it works so well. Winemaker Chris Tynan draws fruit from across all the Lede estate parcels. As always, this series, known as ‘Rock Block’ (with a name that changes each year) is especially luscious.”
Rating: 95 points – Wine Enthusiast
Release Date: May 2021
“This is a robust, deeply concentrated wine, richly layered and densely textured in red fruit, crushed rock, sage and cedar. Grippy tannins reveal its youthful vigor and relative restraint that is not ready to rush out of the gate quite yet. Let the power deepen and develop further in the cellar and enjoy from 2028–2038. Cellar Selection.”
Rating: 94 points – Wine Advocate
Release Date: May 2021
“…Magic Nights prances out of the glass with showy notes of crème de cassis, blueberry coulis and chocolate-covered cherries plus hints of garrigue, pencil lead and beef drippings. Full-bodied, the palate is jam-packed with muscular, energetic black fruits, supported by firm, ripe tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and savory.”
Rating: 93 points – Jeb Dunnuck
Release Date: May 2021
“Another beautiful wine, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Magic Nights checks in as 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, and 3% Merlot. Revealing a deep, opaque purple color as well as classic Cabernet notes of ripe black and blue fruits, smoked tobacco, scorched earth, and graphite, this beauty hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a stacked mid-palate, building yet ripe tannins, and a great finish…”
2018 Cliff Lede “High Fidelity” Red Wine, Napa Valley
Rating: 94 points – Wine Advocate
Release Date: February 2021
“…the 2018 High Fidelity Red Blend has a medium to deep garnet-purple color, opening with seductive notes of redcurrant jelly, blackberry coulis, black raspberries and spice cake followed by nuances of red roses, cedar chest and pencil lead with a waft of underbrush. The medium to full-bodied palate quivers with compelling energy, framed by finely grained tannins and bags of freshness, finishing with loads of red fruit and perfumed layers.”
Rating: 94 points – Jeb Dunnuck
Release Date: February 2021
“…Another beautifully balanced, medium to full-bodied, elegant wine in this lineup, it offers nicely integrated acidity, present yet ripe tannins, and a great mid-palate. It’s already hard to resist, yet I see no reason why it wouldn’t continue to drink well for another 10-15 years. The blend is 50% Cabernet Franc, 25% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the balance Petit Verdot.”
Rating: 94 points – Wine Enthusiast
Release Date: February 2021
“This is a hugely concentrated and powerful blend of 50% Cabernet Franc with 25% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Petit Verdot. Fresh and dried tobacco leaf, tomato and black pepper season a richness of plum and cassis, inspired by Bordeaux’s Right Bank. Enjoy best from 2028 through 2035. Cellar Selection.”
Rating: 92 points – Antonio Galloni
Release Date: February 2021
“The 2018 High Fidelity is a gorgeous wine to drink now and over the next decade or so. Bright floral aromatics lend vibrancy to a core of sweet red berry fruit. Mocha, spice, rose petal, mint and blood orange develop over time, adding layers of complexity. The move to increasingly emphasize Franc in this blend has worked so well. This is a fabulous entry-level offering from Cliff Lede..”
2018 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District
Rating: 95points – Wine Enthusiast
Release Date: February 2021
“Blended with 13% Merlot and smaller amounts of Malbec, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, this is a focused and youthfully grippy wine, showing a fervor of succulent red- and black-currant and licorice. Thick, rich and intensely structured, it possesses a mineral-like earthiness of crushed rock and enduring structure.”
Rating: 93 points – Antonio Galloni
Release Date: February 2021
“…Inky blue fruit, lavender, spice, licorice and new leather all jump out of the glass. Bright acids give the 2018 striking energy that drives through to the long, beautifully persistent finish. Hints of mocha, cedar and sweet pipe tobacco linger.”
Rating: 93 points – Wine Advocate
Release Date: February 2021
“…The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District charges out of the gate with exuberant scents of boysenberries, blackcurrant cordial and warm black plums plus touches of bay leaves, damp soil, pencil shavings and sandalwood. The medium to full-bodied palate is bold, expressive and open for business with bags of juicy black fruit flavors and a velvety texture, finishing with an earthy kick and a burst of freshness.”
Rating: 92 points – Jeb Dunnuck
Release Date: February 2021
“…Based on 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, and the balance Malbec and Cabernet Franc, it reveals a deep purple color as well as a classic nose of cassis, blueberries, toasted spices, dried tobacco, and chocolate. Showing the vintage’s style on the palate with its medium to full-bodied richness and elegant seamless style, it can be drunk today or cellared for 10-15 years.”
2018 Cliff Lede Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley
Rating: 91 points – Wine Spectator
Review by: MaryAnn Worobiec
Release Date: April 2019
“Succulent peach, melon and citrus flavors reveal pretty details of spice and dried floral notes in this stylish white, with crisp acidity and a drizzle of honey on the finish. Drink now.”
2017 ACCOLADES
2017 Cliff Lede Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley
Recommended – Robb Report
May 2, 2018
“… Cliff Lede’s 2017 Sauvignon Blanc — fermented partially in oak, concrete, and stainless, and aged on the lees — offers up a pretty gamut of citrus, from Meyer lemon to tangerine, mixed with exotic herbs. This one’s full-bodied and rich, but bright with acidity.”
2017 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District
Rating: 95 points – Wine Enthusiast
Review by: Virginie Boone
Release Date: February 2020
“With small amounts of Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, this is a classically structured, earthy and impressive wine. Char, herb and earth accents frame the elegant, crisp fruit and graceful tannins, with a lasting taste of crushed rock.”
Rating: 94 points
Review by: Antonio Galloni
Release Date: February 2020
“…Inky dark fruit, chocolate, leather, lavender, spice, menthol and cloves are all amped up. The 2017 is a rich, explosive wine built on flamboyance and volume. This large-scaled, potent Cabernet Sauvignon has a ton to offer. Best of all, with a case production of over 5,500, it will be relatively easy to find, and is just as nearly as exceptional as the flagship bottlings in this range. In a word: superb.”
Rating: 93 points
Review by: Jeb Dunnuck
Release Date: February 2020
“A year in, year out value, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon is a winner in 2017 and gives up loads of sweet fruit and medium to full-bodied richness as well as textbook notes of sweet cassis, cedary spice, dried flowers, and earth. It’s complex, beautifully balanced, and a terrific wine. This is a sure bet in the vintage that will keep for a solid 15-20 years.”
2017 Cliff Lede “High Fidelity” Red Wine, Napa Valley
Rating: 94 points
Review by: Antonio Galloni
Release Date: February 2020
“…dark, plush and inviting, with tons of immediacy and size to back it up. Mocha, espresso, red plum, licorice, anise and dried flowers add shades of aromatic nuance, with the distinct presence of Franc bouquet really driving the feel. Racy and voluptuous to the core, the 2017 will drink beautifully right out of the gate…”
2017 Cliff Lede “Songbook”, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Rating: 96 points
Review by: Antonio Galloni
Release Date: March 2020
“The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Songbook is another stellar wine in this range. Soaring savory aromatics lead into layers of deep, lush fruit. Cedar, mint, tobacco, licorice, dried flowers and grilled herbs all race out of the glass. This is one of the most complete and thrilling wines I tasted in 2017; a stunning wine by any measure.”
Rating: 94 points
Review by: Jen Dunnuck
Release Date: March 2020
“…This beauty boasts a saturated purple color as well as a complex perfume of sweet cassis and red currant fruit interwoven with notions of flowery incense, spice, green tobacco (there’s a touch of green here), and loamy earth. With loads of fruit, full-bodied richness, ripe tannins, and integrated acidity, it’s a beautiful wine that that will benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age and keep for two decades. “
Rating: 94 points
Review by: Wine Advocate
Release Date: March 2020
“Very deep purple-black colored, the 2017 Songbook Cabernet Sauvignon is a little youthfully reticent to begin, soon unfurling to offer compelling notes of chocolate-covered cherries, blackcurrant pastilles, baked black cherries and redcurrant jelly with wafts of fallen leaves, wild mushrooms, crushed rocks and bay leaves. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers a good intensity of baked black berries and savory layers with a solid frame of chewy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long and mineral laced.”
Rating: 94 points –Wine Enthusiast
Review by: Virginie Boone
Release Date: March 2020
“This wine is sourced from two David Abreu-farmed vineyards and is a study in concentrated richness. Grippy, meaty and intensely layered, it bursts in dark plum, cherry and currant, with a note of fig. Earthy mushroom and tobacco complement and contrast, lasting throughout a supple, memorable finish.”
2017 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon, Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard, Napa Valley
Rating: 96+ points
Review by: Jeb Dunnuck
Release Date: May 2020
“This beauty boasts a saturated purple color as well as a complex perfume of sweet cassis and red currant fruit interwoven with notions of flowery incense, spice, green tobacco (there’s a touch of green here), and loamy earth. With loads of fruit, full-bodied richness, ripe tannins, and integrated acidity, it’s a beautiful wine that that will benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age and keep for two decades.”
Rating: 95+ points
Review by: Wine Advocate
Release Date: May 2020
“The deep garnet-purple colored 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon is closed, slowly opening to earthy, broody black fruit preserves with slight notions of herbs and licorice. This is a full-bodied, rich, ambitious wine with tightly wound layers and a mineral finish.”
Rating: 95 points
Review by: Antonio Galloni
Release Date: May 2020
“The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard captures a striking expression of this historic Oakville site. Unctuous, rich and enveloping, the 2017 has so much to offer. Inky dark fruit, spice, menthol, licorice and leather all flesh out in the glass with great balance. The 2017 is terrific, and also one of the more immediate and easy-to-drink wines in this range.”
Rating: 95 points- Wine Enthusiast
Review by: Virginie Boone
Release Date: May 2020
“…this powerful wine offers dense layers of dark chocolate, blackberry and iron, plus a texture of crushed rock, with grip. Lengthy tannins are supple and well integrated, contributing complexity and graceful structure.”
Rating: 93 points- Wine Spectator
Review by: James Molesworth
Release Date: May 2020
“Frankly ripe blackberry and boysenberry compote flavors form the core, with loads of brambly energy to carry it off, while lively tobacco, anise and spice notes and deeply embedded iron and loam elements build through the finish. Distinctive and impressive.”
2017 Cliff Lede “Dancing Heart” Cabernet Sauvignon, Rock Block Series, Stags Leap District
Rating: 96 points – Wine Enthusiast
Review by: Virginie Boone
Release Date: May 2020
“Succulent dark cherry, plum and cassis are complemented by woody tannin and prominent oak, with considerable length and breadth.”
Rating: 95+points
Review by: Antonio Galloni
Release Date: May 2020
“…soaring aromatics laced with floral and savory notes give the Dancing Heart notable personality. The flavor profile is a bit more red-fruit leaning than some of the other wines in the range, and yet there is plenty of Stags Leap character. This is another superb wine from Cliff Lede and his team…”
Rating: 93+points – Wine Advocate
Review by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown
Release Date: May 2020
“…deep garnet-purple color with a nose of fragrant black berries and black cherries with floral notes and dried leaves, menthol, bay leaves, cedar and cassis nuances. The wine is big, full, muscular and earthy in the mouth with chewy tannins and a long finish.”
2017 Cliff Lede “Poetry” Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District
Rating: 99 points
Review by: Jeb Dunnuck
Release Date: September 2020
“…Straight-up awesome notes of black raspberries, blueberries, smoked tobacco, violets, spice box, and gravelly earth as well as a bloody, meaty character all emerge from this magical wine. With full-bodied richness, ultra-fine tannins, flawless balance, and a great, great finish, it doesn’t have the sheer opulence of the 2016 or 2015 yet shows a more classical, elegant, style that still packs ample richness and depth. It needs 4-5 years of bottle age and will keep for 20 years or more. It’s a candidate for the wine of the vintage and is an incredible achievement for this team. Bravo.”
Rating: 98 points
Review by: Wine Advocate
Release Date: September 2020
“Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Poetry gives up crème de cassis, bakedplums, blueberry compote, chocolate box, earth and aniseed scents on the nose with wafts of cedar chest and pencil lead. Full-bodied, firm and grainy, it is concentrated, very classy and multilayered with great energy and a long finish.”
Rating: 96 points
Review by: Antonio Galloni
Release Date: September 2020
“…the 2017 possesses off-the-charts richness and tons of character. A rush of black cherry, lavender, mint, pine, licorice and sweet spice builds effortlessly in the glass. Vertical in feel with tremendous lift, the 2017 is just stellar. All the elements are wonderfully fused together in this powerful, extravagantly ripe Cabernet Sauvignon from Cliff Lede and his team.”
Rating: 96 points – Wine Enthusiast
Review by: Virginie Boone
Release Date: September 2020
“The wine opens in tones of tar, tobacco and brooding black currant, with highlights of cedar, lavender and sage. It’s powerfully built and concentrated, showing the structure to last in the cellar.”
2016 ACCOLADES
2016 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard, Napa Valley
Rating: 100 points
Review by: Jeb Dunnuck
Release Date: May 2020
“Leading off the three wines from Cliff Lede, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon is pure perfection in a glass. This extraordinary wine is unquestionably one of the finest in this report and has an awesome, singular style that’s hard to believe. Saturated purple in color, it offers a kaleidoscope of gamey blueberries, crushed black cherries, forest floor, leafy herbs, and damp earth. Deep, massively concentrated, and layered on the palate, it has layer upon layer of complexity and texture, building sweet tannins, and a monster finish. This is one of those magical wines that you can’t forget. Drink it any time over the coming 3-4 decades.”
Rating: 98+ points
Review by: Robert Parker
Release Date: May 2020
“Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon leaps from the glass with fragrant notes of potpourri, oolong tea, Chinese five spice, hoisin and fallen leaves with a core of warm blackberries, crushed blackcurrants and eucalyptus. Full-bodied and powerfully fruited in the mouth, the black fruit and spicy layers have a firm yet velvety backbone and the finish is long and perfumed.”
Rating: 95 points
Review by: James Suckling
Release Date: May 2020
“Impressive aromatic depth here. This has a wealth of cassis and blueberry aromas, as well as violet-like floral and fresh-earth notes. The palate has an array of ripe dark plums and chocolate in a powerful yet plush style. Super long, majestic and seamless. Drink from 2020.”
2016 Cliff Lede “Poetry” Cabernet Sauvignon , Stags Leap District
Rating: 99 points
Review by: Jeb Dunnuck
Release Date: September 2020
“Similarly colored, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Poetry comes from shallow, volcanic soils in the Stags Leap AVA and is a blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 6% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot. It offers killer notes of crème de cassis, black raspberries, toasted spices, vanilla, and exotic flowers. These carry to a profound, incredibly intense, layered wine that has no hard edges, perfect balance, building tannins, and a great, great finish. This is another magical wine from this team that ranks with some of the finest wines ever made from this valley. As with most 2016s, it has some upfront charm and accessibility, yet will be at its best with 4-6 years of bottle age and will keep for 3-4 decades.”
Rating: 99+ points
Review by: Robert Parker
Release Date: September 2020
“A blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 6% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Poetry needs a little coaxing to begin to unfurl the tightly wound yet exciting scents of blackcurrant cordial, blackberry preserves, warm redcurrants and kirsch plus fragrant nuances of candied violets, underbrush, cigar boxes, menthol and star anise. Full-bodied and built like a brick house in the mouth, the palate features an almost impenetrable structure of super ripe tannins framing the taut, muscular fruit, finishing long. This beauty needs at least 5-6 years to begin to blossom, after which it may well warrant a perfect score.”
Rating: 94 points
Review by: Antonio Galloni
Release Date: March 2020
“The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Poetry is another gorgeous wine from Cliff Lede. Crème de cassis, lavender, cloves, graphite, chocolate, sweet French oak and torrefaction notes infuse this sumptuous, full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon from Lede’s Poetry block in Stags Leap. This is another full-throttle wine endowed with a ton of character.”
2016 Cliff Lede “Songbook” Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Rating: 99 points
Review by: Jeb Dunnuck
Release Date: March 2020
“Incorporating slightly less Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Songbook is 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot. It too offers a profound array of smoked black cherries, blueberries, gamey meats, sagebrush and forest floor. A hypothetical mix of Haut Brion and Harlan estate, this monster of a wine hits the palate with a mammoth-sized level of fruit, loads of sweet tannins, no hard edges, and utterly world class length.”
Rating: 98 points
Review by: Robert Parker
Release Date: March 2020
“The deep garnet-purple colored 2016 Songbook Cabernet Sauvignon is blended of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. It comes prancing out of the glass with a beautiful display of crushed black cherries, black raspberries, cassis and potpourri with touches of pencil shavings, fragrant soil, allspice and cedar chest. Full-bodied, opulently fruited and very seductive in the mouth, it offers a tantalizing array of perfumed red and black fruits with a plush texture and very long finish.”
Rating: 95+ points
Review by: Antonio Galloni
Release Date: March 2020
“…The 2016 finishes with substantial depth and energy. There is certainly a lot to look forward to. Songbook is a blend of fruit from several David Abreu sites: Cabernet Sauvignon from Madrona Ranch and Thorevilos, Merlot and Petit Verdot from Thorevilos, and Cabernet Franc from Madrona Ranch.”
2016 Cliff Lede “High Fidelity” Red Wine, Napa Valley
Rating: 96 points
Review by: Antonio Galloni
Release Date: February 2019
“The 2016 High Fidelity is a Cabernet Franc-based blend. Lifted, precise and nuanced, especially for such a big wine, High Fidelity is one of the very finest wines in the range. All the elements simply fall into place in this sumptuous, superbly balanced wine from Cliff Lede.”
Rating: 93+ points
Review by: Robert Parker
Release Date: February 2019
“The 2016 Proprietary Red Blend High Fidelity is a blend of 51% Cabernet Franc, 34% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Petit Verdot. It has a deep garnet-purple color and sings of warm red cherries, black raspberries, redcurrant preserves and mulberries with touches of pencil shavings, wilted roses and spearmint. Full-bodied and laden with perfumed red berry layers, it has a solid line of chewy tannins and a lovely fragrant finish.”
2016 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District
Rating: 91 points
Review by: Antonio Galloni
Release Date: February 2019
“The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon (Stags Leap District) is a dark, potent wine that perfectly embodies the Cliff Lede style. Black cherry, plum, licorice, dark spice, espresso and menthol add to the wine’s dark, virile personality. I would give the 2016 another few years in the cellar to fully come together. Time in the glass brings out attractive floral and spice notes that will be a terrific complement once the wine recovers from its bottling a few months ago.”
Rating: 93 points
Review by: James Suckling
Release Date: February 2019
“Ripe boysenberry and blackcurrant aromas with brambly cabernet herbs and bracken, leading to a palate that has a superbly succulent, fresh and handsomely defined palate. Terrific freshness and energy through the finish. Dense fruit. Drink or hold.”
2016 Cliff Lede “Soul Fire” Cabernet Sauvignon, Rock Block Series, Stags Leap District
Rating: 93+points
Review by: James Suckling
Release Date: February 2019
“A blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot, 1% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Soul Fire Rock Block is deep garnet-purple colored and offers up notions of cassis, black cherries, mulberries and cedar chest with hints of pencil lead and bay leaves. Full-bodied and firmly textured with grainy tannins, it has just enough freshness lifting the generous fruit to a long earth-laced finish.”
2015 ACCOLADES
2015 Cliff Lede Poetry Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District
Rating: 100 points
Review by: Jeb Dunnuck, (Dec 2017)
Release Date: February 2019
“A blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc, 4% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Poetry spent 21 months in French oak prior to bottling. It too is inky purple/blue colored and offers heavenly notes of graphite, liquid rocks, crushed violets, blueberries, charcoal and cassis. Fabulously concentrated, opulent, layered, and ripe, with serious amounts of tannin that come out with time in the glass, this monumental beauty should only be purchased by patient consumers as it’s going to need 7-8 years or more of cellaring.”
2015 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Songbook , Napa Valley
Rating: 97+ points
Review by: Jeb Dunnuck
Release Date: March 2019
“Another tour de force is the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Songbook, which checks in as 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot. It’s the most open and approachable of the wines in the lineup, yet still needs to be forgotten for 5-6 years. Blackberries, spice-box, chocolate, currants and graphite notes all develop in the glass and it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, beautiful mid-palate depth, and a great finish. While a big, rich wine, it shows the purity and finesse that’s the hallmark of this vintage.”
2015 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon, Beckstoffer To Kalon
Rating: 100 points
Review by: Jeb Dunnuck
Release Date: April 2018
“As good as it gets, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon checks in as 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that spent 21 months in new French oak. Possessing an incredible bouquet of cassis, liquid violets, Asian spices, and charred meats, it hits the palate with an elegant, seamless, ultra-fine texture that builds incrementally, with huge tannins that are only noticeable 30 seconds or more after the finish. This heavenly Napa Cabernet has no hard edges, incredible richness, no weight, and will evolve gracefully for two to three decades.”
2015 Moon Fantasy Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District
Rating: 94 points
Review by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown, #233 (Oct 2017)
Drink: 2017 – 2034
Release Date: April 2018
“The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Moon Fantasy Stags Leap is a deep garnet-purple color with a nose of fragrant black berries and black cherries with floral notes and dried leaves, menthol, bay leaves, cedar and cassis nuances. The wine is big, full, muscular and earthy in the mouth with chewy tannins and a long finish; the oak stands out but should marry.”
2015 Cliff Lede High Fidelity, Napa Valley
Rating: 93+ points
Review by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown, #233 (Oct 2017)
Drink: 2017 – 2042
Release Date: February 2018
“Blended of 58% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Franc, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Petit Verdot, the deep garnet-purple 2015 Proprietary Red Blend High Fidelity has a nose of baked blackberries and black cherries with hints of black pepper, anise, dried lavender and dusty earth. Big, full, velvety and voluptuous, it fills the mouth with warm berry and spicy flavors, finishing long and perfumed.”
2015 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District
Rating: 93 points
Review by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown, #233 (Oct 2017)
Drink: 2017 – 2033
Release Date: February 2018
“A blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 7% Merlot, 7% Malbec and 2% Cabernet Franc, the deep garnet-purple colored 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District offers up a cassis, smoked meat, blackberry preserves and spice cake-scented nose with a mocha hint. Full-bodied, rich and concentrated with firm, grainy tannins, it shows a lot of oak, which should marry with the intense fruit, finishing long and layered.”
2014 ACCOLADES
2014 Cliff Lede Poetry Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District
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Rating: 95+ points
Review by: Robert M. Parker, Jr., #228 (Dec 2016)
Drink: 2016 – 2046
Release Date: September 2017
“Always one of the stars of Napa is Cliff Lede’s Cabernet Sauvignon Poetry and the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Poetry is a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and the rest Petit Verdot. Never the biggest wine made by Cliff Lede, this is an elegant, classic Stags Leap example with finesse allied to beautifully pure power and balance. Deep and rich and possibly, at this stage, less expressive than some of its siblings, it is simply loaded and poised for a brilliant future. Consumers should give this 4-5 years of bottle age and drink it over the following 25-30 years.
2014 Cliff Lede Songbook Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
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Rating: 98+ points
Review by: Robert M. Parker, Jr., #228 (Dec 2016)
Drink: 2016 – 2046
Release Date: March 2018
“A blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, and 7% Cabernet Franc with the rest Petit Verdot, is the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Songbook. Gorgeous crème de cassis notes, a hint of espresso and white chocolate jump from the glass of this inky purple wine. Multidimensional, extraordinarily rich, concentrated and full-bodied, this is another tour de force from Cliff Lede. The purity, the richness, the gravitas and overall character are amazing. This wine looks to be a candidate for 30+ years of drinking, which is especially long for a 2014.”
2014 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon, Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyards
Rating: 99 points
Review by: Robert M. Parker, Jr., #228 (Dec 2016)
Drink: 2016 – 2046
Release Date: April 2017
“From obviously purchased grapes, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon looks like dark pen ink, has that inimitable and compelling aromatic expression that the To Kalon Vineyard seems to offer up – graphite, blueberry, blackberry, cassis, fruitcake and spice. With incredibly rich blue fruits, black fruits, a full body, opulent, voluptuously textured and sensational, the wine still tastes like a barrel sample, but even at that, I found it nearly impossible to spit out. This is a killer effort, a magnificent wine with a potential three-digit score with a few more years of bottle age.”
2014 Scarlet Love Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District
Rating: 97 points
Review by: Robert M. Parker, Jr., #228 (Dec 2016)
Drink: 2016 – 2041
Release Date: April 2017
“Another Stags Leap cuvée, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Scarlet Love is 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Hints of graphite, blackberry, blueberry, floral notes, charcoal and incense jump from the glass of this sensational Cabernet Sauvignon. Inky purple, with fabulous concentration, a full-bodied mouthfeel and incredible finish with no hard edges, this is a magnificent 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon to drink over the next 25 or more years.”
2014 Cliff Lede High Fidelity, Napa Valley
Rating: 94+ points
Review by: Robert M. Parker, Jr., #228 (Dec 2016)
Drink: 2016 – 2036
Release Date: February 2017
“Their proprietary red, the 2014 Proprietary Red High Fidelity, is a blend of 65% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Petit Verdot. Ratcheting up the level of richness, density and intensity, this wine offers blueberry and mocha, as well as plenty of floral notes intermixed with cassis and blueberry. It is beautifully rendered and full-bodied, with not a hard edge to it. The velvety tannins, the silky texture and the full-bodied richness and finish suggest a wine that can be drunk now or cellared for another 20 or more years.”
2014 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District
Rating: 93 points
Review by: Robert M. Parker, Jr., #228 (Dec 2016)
Drink: 2016 – 2031
Release Date: February 2017
“Their basic Cabernet Sauvignon from Stags Leap, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon is sensational and only hints at what consumers are likely to find with their more expensive and higher-end cuvées. This is just a stunner that is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, 5% Cabernet Franc and the rest Malbec and Merlot. Dense purple in color, it has a beautiful nose of spring flowers, blackcurrants, subtle background oak and licorice and a long, opulent mouthfeel. This is a beauty that can be drunk now or cellared for another 15 more years. It is a heck of a wine and irresistible.”
2013 ACCOLADES
2013 Cliff Lede Poetry Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District
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Rating: 100 points
Review by: eRobertParker.com, #222 (Dec 2015)
Drink: 2016 – 2046
Release Date: September 2016
“The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Poetry reveals a rather inky, bluish/purple color. A blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc and the rest Merlot and Petit Verdot, this wine is super-youthful and still tastes somewhat like a barrel sample. It’s bursting with upside potential. Inky purple to the rim, with notes of crème de cassis, black cherry liqueur, licorice, spice and a touch of vanilla, this is a full-bodied, concentrated and an utterly profound wine that may represent the greatest wine that Cliff Lede has made to date. Forget it for another 5-6 years and drink it over the following 30 years.”
2013 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon, Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyards
Rating: 99 points
Review by: eRobertParker.com, #222 (Dec 2015)
Drink: 2016 – 2046
Release Date: April 2016
“Another black/purple wine is the Cliff Lede 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard. Flirting with perfection, this wine boasts blueberry and blackberry notes, spring flowers a hint of charcoal and subtle toast, a full-bodied mouthfeel and stunning concentration. It’s the hallmark of purity and the multi-dimensional texture and length that make for a profound Cabernet Sauvignon that’s accessible. It promises to hit its peak in 8-10 years and last 30 or more.”
2013 Stardust Heaven Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District
Rating: 98+ points
Review by: eRobertParker.com, #222 (Dec 2015)
Drink: 2016 – 2046
Release Date: April 2016
“The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Stardust Heaven is a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot. Super-saturated ruby/purple to the rim, a killer nose of blackberry, forest floor, spring flowers and cassis, the wine is full-bodied, shows licorice as well. It is intense, layered and multi-dimensional. This is a stunner and a great, great achievement, even in this fabulous vintage. It is young and probably won’t hit its peak for another 5-7 years, but this is a 30-year wine.”
2013 Cliff Lede Songbook Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
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Rating: 96 points
Review by: eRobertParker.com, #222 (Dec 2015)
Drink: 2016 – 2041
Release Date: March 2017
“The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Songbook, a blend of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, 3% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot, is another beauty. Dense crème de cassis, licorice, graphite a touch of oak and flowers, is followed by a full-bodied, concentrated wine that’s Margaux-like in its classicism and overall finesse and complexity. This is a beauty that should be drinkable in 2-3 years and last 25 or more.”
2013 Cliff Lede High Fidelity, Napa Valley
Rating: 95+ points
Review by: eRobertParker.com, #222 (Dec 2015)
Drink: 2016 – 2030
Release Date: February 2016
“Lastly, the 2013 Proprietary Red Blend High Fidelity, which is their most powerful wine at 15.2% natural alcohol, is a blend of 50% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Franc, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Petit Verdot. This might not be as nuanced and complex as some of the other wines, but it’s big, powerful, juicy, rich and full. The color is dense purple and the finish quite long. I think more nuance will emerge as this wine has bottle age. This is impressive for sure. Drink now through 2030+.”
2013 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District
Rating: 93 points
Review by: eRobertParker.com, #222 (Dec 2015)
Drink: 2016 – 2036
Release Date: February 2016
“One of the best-run and now superstar wineries in all of Napa is Cliff Lede. Starting with their 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap, a beautiful example of this AVA, the wine has a dense ruby/purple color, floral notes intermixed with crème de cassis, graphite and forest floor. It is full bodied, but with the elegance, finesse and lightness of being, despite its intensity. The wood is pushed to the background, and the wine is beautifully pure and long. Drink it over the next 20 years.”
2012 ACCOLADES
2012 Cliff Lede Songbook Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
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Rating: 96 points
Drink: 2014 – 2030
Review by: eRobertParker.com, #215 (Oct 2014)
Release Date: March 2016
“Packaged in a heavier bottle, the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Songbook is a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc. A profound Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, it exhibits a dense purple color in addition to notes of white chocolate, crème de cassis, blackberries and subtle oak. Full-bodied, opulent, generous and voluptuously textured, this stunning 2012 can be drunk now or cellared for 15 or more years.”
2012 Cliff Lede Poetry Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District
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Rating: 98 points
Review by: eRobertParker.com, #215 (Oct 2015)
Drink: 2017-2029
Release Date: September 2015
“The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Poetry (89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot) is indeed worthy of its name. Bottled perfection, it is an extraordinary Cabernet Sauvignon offering floral, blackcurrant, boysenberry and hints of oak, forest floor and graphite notes, a full-bodied mouthfeel, and an exuberance, freshness and delineation that are remarkable. This amazing effort is the quintessential Stags Leap Cabernet Sauvignon that is Napa Valley’s version of Château Margaux. The finish just won’t quit. Kudos to proprietor Cliff Lede. This cuvée needs 3-4 years of aging, and should keep for 20-25.”
2012 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon, Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyards
PURCHASE
Rating: 96 points
Review by: eRobertParker.com, #215 (Oct 2015)
Drink: 2014 – 2030
Release Date: April 2015
“Another brilliant offering from one of the true first-growth sites in Napa Valley is the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard. Graphite, crème de cassis and spice box characteristics jump from the glass of this dense purple-colored Cabernet Sauvignon. Thick but fresh with gorgeously ripe fruit, a full-bodied mouthfeel and a long finish, this is a terrific example of Cabernet Sauvignon. It will drink well young and over the next 15+ years.”
2012 Cliff Lede Beautiful Generation Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District
PURCHASE
Rating: 95 points
Review by: eRobertParker.com, #215 (Oct 2015)
Drink: 2014-2030
Release Date: April 2015
“The dense, powerful and rich 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Beautiful Generation, a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot, tips the scales at 15.3% natural alcohol. It boasts an opaque color along with loads of blackberry and cassis fruit intertwined with charcoal, baking spice and graphite notes. Full-bodied and opulent, this is a terrific cuvée to drink over the next 15+ years.”
2012 Cliff Lede High Fidelity, Napa Valley
PURCHASE
Rating: 96 points
Review by: eRobertParker.com, #215 (Oct 2015)
Drink: 2014-2029
Release Date: February 2015
“The 2012 Proprietary Red Blend High Fidelity is a blend of 64% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Franc, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Malbec. Its dense ruby/purple color is followed by notes of white chocolate and cassis as well as a fleshy, full-bodied mouthfeel, abundant complexity, stunning purity and overall harmony. This brilliant red can be drunk over the next 10-15 years.”