2016 Cliff Lede 'Poetry' Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District

Winemaker Notes: Our captivating 2016 Poetry is an ode to symmetry and precision. This is the highest expression of our Stags Leap District estate vineyard and all of its irresistible components are well apportioned and fabulously integrated even at such at young age. Dense and brooding on opening, with time liquefied rocks, warm plum, black licorice, bay leaf, and sage soar from the first glass. Equal parts black currant and summer fig flavors coalesce on the expansive entry, while smoked cardamom and lavender aromas saturate the olfactory in a glorious cornucopia of ambrosial harmony. The voluptuous palate finishes with a wave of ultrafine tannins that unites for a seamless finale of gorgeous violet perfume.

CRITICAL ACCLAIM


Robert Parker - "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."


Jeb Dunnuck - "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."


Vinous - "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."


James Suckling - "Rich aromas of violets and cassis with blueberries, leading to a very deep-set palate that has a long, powerful fruit core, framed in deeply juicy and succulent tannins. This will age beautifully. Try from 2020."

 

Shop By Region: Stags Leap District, California

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