Cliff Lede 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2021 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon is a masterpiece that encapsulates the very essence of Napa Valley winemaking. This vintage is a harmonious blend of fruit sourced from the esteemed Stags Leap District and Calistoga estate vineyards, with the addition of meticulously selected grower sites in Oakville, Rutherford, and the storied Howell Mountain. The vineyard’s diverse blocks, showcasing varying vine ages, rootstocks, and clones, contribute to the complex tapestry of this wine. Yields are kept intentionally low, with a dedicated focus on canopy management and vine balance, ensuring that each grape reaches its full potential. The result is a Cabernet Sauvignon that offers unparalleled depth, complexity, and authenticity, making it a quintessential representation of Napa Valley's rich terroir.

Harvested in the cool, early morning hours to preserve the freshness and vibrancy of the fruit, the 2021 vintage benefits from Cliff Lede's state-of-the-art winemaking techniques. A rigorous three-tiered sorting process, including the use of an advanced optical sorter, guarantees only the finest berries make it into the fermenter. Gravity flow and a gentle crane system ensure that the berries are delivered whole, minimizing any disruption to their integrity. Cold soaks lasting approximately seven days help extract the color and aromatics, while a combination of délestage, pumpovers, and punchdowns during fermentation develops the wine's structure. Extended maceration, ranging from four to five weeks, fine-tunes the tannins, resulting in a wine of remarkable mouthfeel and complexity. Aged for twenty-one months in French oak barrels, with nearly half being new, the wine acquires a sophisticated oak influence, balancing power with elegance.

The nose is immediately captivating, drawing you in with inviting aromas of warm dark chocolate and ripe black cherries. As the wine opens up, layers of graphite, chocolate cake, crushed mulberries, and subtle iron notes emerge, adding to its intrigue. On the palate, it reveals a medley of dark fruit flavors – cassis, blackberry, and blueberries – that unfold seamlessly, accented by delicate floral hints of jasmine and violets. The tannins are polished to a silky smoothness, reminiscent of cashmere, and the finish is long, graceful, and utterly inviting. Each sip of the 2021 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon promises a sensory journey, reflecting the artistry and passion that define Cliff Lede's winemaking philosophy. Whether enjoyed now or cellared for future indulgence, this wine stands as a testament to the timeless allure of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

Alcohol: 14.2%

94 POINTS - "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." Wine Enthusiast

Elegantly soft and lithe the 2021 coaxes the taster with warm dark chocolate and luscious black cherry aromas. More graphite, chocolate cake, crushed mulberries, and iron notes leap from the glass. The entry is filled with dark fruit flavors of cassis, blackberry, and blue berries and they’re all tinged with floral notes of jasmine and violets. The polished tannins along the finish feel Cashmere-like and beg the taster for another sip. – Christopher Tynan, Director of Winemaking