Established in 2002, Cliff Lede Vineyards encompasses sixty acres in the famed Stags Leap District. Owner Cliff Lede, viticulturalist David Abreu, Associate Winemaker Kale Anderson and Consulting Winemaker Philippe Melka have come together to form an unrivalled team, making the most of this remarkable property. Completed in time for crush 2005, the new state-of-the-art gravity-flow winery boasts a berry-by-berry sorting system and conical tanks commissioned using a design inspired by the tanks of Chateau Latour. One tank per vineyard block ensures each lot evolves at its own pace and acres of caves with single-layer barrel storage ensure access to each barrel at all times. No corner has been cut. The winery produces Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon. The flagship, Poetry Cabernet Sauvignon, is crafted from the steep hillside portion of the estate. The land, the talent, the tools and the passion: Cliff Lede Vineyards, a notable addition to the Stags Leap District.

Tasting notes

The wider use of the Musque clone in this blend contributes to the intense floral and tropical flavors of this wine. Flavors of lemon meringue and strawberry guava base are complemented by subtle notes of marzipan, ginger, and tarragon on the finish.

Technical notes

Sourced from four different sites – a vineyard in the southeastern hills of Napa Valley, a cooler climate parcel on the east side of Napa, a plot in the Rutherford and a vineyard in Yountville planted to the Sauvignon Musque clone. Hand-picked at night to preserve freshness, some of the grapes were whole-cluster pressed while the remainder was macerated for 16 hours before pressing. The juice was cold fermented in 60% stainless steel tanks, 29% French oak barrels (15% new/14% neutral), 6% stainless steel drums and 5% concrete eggs. Malolactic was blocked and the wine underwent weekly battonage on its lees.