Wines - 2019 Songbook Cabernet Sauvignon – Napa Valley

Songbook represents a collection of vineyard sources that we have been fortunate enough to access to create this beautiful wine. When Cliff Lede was new to Napa Valley in the early 2000s, he was introduced to some of the top growers and consultants in this small community, creating fast friendships and partnerships. We are grateful to work with many grower partners who, like us, take pride in farming to the highest level.

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. The fruit was gently gravity-delivered to small tanks 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. This wine underwent twenty-one months of élevage in French oak barrels, 91% of which were new.

The dark and beguiling 2019 Songbook features seductive notes of warm blackberries, cassis, and chocolate cake with touches of clove, sandalwood, anise, and exotic incense. The wine opens with flavors of mulberry, fig paste, and blueberry, with woodsy notes of cedar, bay laurel, and piñon. Deep and expansive across the palate, hints of mint, amaretto, and iron emerge and add layers to this complex and delicious red wine. – Christopher Tynan, Director of Winemaking