Wines - 2021 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon

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