Cliff Lede

Napa Valley is filled with innovators. One of the great producers of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cliff Lede grew up involved with his family’s successful construction business in Canada, and first discovered the splendor of the Napa Valley while on a business retreat in the 1990s. Cliff had been an avid Bordeaux collector and was drawn to the incredible landscapes and wine culture of Napa. He saw the great potential in the Stags Leap District and founded Cliff Lede Vineyards. One year later, the southwest facing hillside just above the Silverado Trail which became his Poetry Vineyard. In 2009, he expanded to include cooler-climate varieties from the Anderson Valley in purchasing the Savoy Vineyard and the creation of a new brand, FEL, named for his mother, Florence Elsie Lede.

I have long been impressed with the quality of these wines —  particularly the wonderful terroir that is evoked with his Cabernet Sauvignon bottlings. I just adored their 2018 Cliff Lede. ‘Poetry’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 99) which is incredibly soft and has insanely good length. The core of blue and dark fruits is so impressive here. I love the new 2018 Cliff Lede ‘To Kalon Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 96) which is pure Oakville and shows beautiful damp soil tones alongside the core of dark fruits. These are just sensational new wines for any serious collector of Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. Learn more about this outstanding producer at https://cliffledevineyards.com/ Here are the beautiful new wines by Cliff Lede.

2019 Cliff Lede Sauvignon Blanc- Right away the gooseberry tones entice as cantaloupe and green apple also enter the fray aromatically. The palate is fresh and vibrant as the silky texture provides more enjoyment.  Layers of vanilla cream and green papaya combine with shades of pink grapefruit and kiwi on the palate. This is seriously good stuff that will cellar well for another seven years. Drink 2021-2027-  91

2018 Cliff Lede ‘High Fidelity’ Red Wine- This shows a beautiful sense of mouthfeel with dusty tannins that line the volcanic terror driven dark fruit profile. Given more air chocolate and coffee ground tones emerge with shades of black forest cake. Delightful to savor in its youth,  this beautiful red blend will cellar well for another decade. Drink 2021-2030-91

2018 Cliff Lede ‘Stags Leap District’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The gorgeous 2018 Cliff Lede ‘Stags Leap District’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a stunning new wine by this famed Napa house. This shows gorgeous aromatic range from potpourri and violets to cassis and blackberry compote with espresso bean on the nose.  The palate is downright delicious. Rich layers of dark hydrants and dark chocolate cake meld with espresso bean and loamy soils on the palate.  Seriously good in its youth, this beautiful wine will provide drinking enjoyment over the next ten plus years. Drink 2021-2033- 93

2018 Cliff Lede ‘Poetry’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The ‘Poetry’ is sourced from their Stags Leap District site which has tightly spaced vines set on volcanic, fractured shale soils.  Dark and brooding once int he glass, this shows absolutely scintillating range on the nose from volcanic ash to creme de violette with tar, espresso bean and blueberry compote tones all melding brilliantly in the glass. The sense of poise, richness and tension is just marvelous here, as this effortlessly glides across the mid-palate. Ripe dark currants collide with creosote, blueberry cordial, loamy soils and shades of dark chocolate laced Turkish coffee. The gratifying length adds to the drinking enjoyment. Sinfully good in its youth, this gorgeous, stunner of a wine will provide drinking enjoyment for many decades to come. Be sure to give this a two hour plus. Decant if enjoying in this beautiful nascent phase. Drink 2022-2045- 99

2018 Cliff Lede ‘Magic Nights Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2018 ‘Magic Nights’ is made in a more elegant style, with marvelous terroir. Once on the nose this takes on rich dark currants and dark chocolate tones that mingle with graphite, anise and exotic spices that are all woven together in the glass. The palate is silky smooth, with a wonderful texture and good depth. Layers of volcanic earth-driven dark fruits collide with smoke, minerals, and black tea tones on the palate. This finishes very long, as the gorgeous 2018 ‘Magic Nights’ will cellar well over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2021-2036- 93

2018 Cliff Lede ‘Beckstoffer to Kalon Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon-  One of the hallowed sites in the Napa Valley, the ‘Beckstoffer to Kalon Vineyard’ is located in the western Oakville bench, and is set on gravelly loam soils with a high mineral content. The nose here is downright heavenly with creme de cassis, black olives and Asian spices alongside tar and blackberry compote tones. The palate is silky and elegant, effortlessly gliding throughout. Layers of rich kirsch and dark currants are woven together with roasted figs, blackberry cordial and mocha tones, with shades of creosote. The length here is really fantastic as is the gratifying texture. Gorgeous to savor in its youth, this beautiful new 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon has a long life ahead of it. Drink 2023-2045- 96

2018 Cliff Lede ‘Songbook’ Cabernet Sauvignon- THE 2018 ‘Songbook’ is. sourced from the Thorevilos Vineyard, situated between the St. Helena and Howell Mountain AVAs, and Madrona Ranch, in foothills of the Mayacamas mountain range. The great aromatic range entices as lanes of mocha, tar, anise and creme de cassis with black olive all impress. The palate is soft, round and generous with a silky texture. Silky smooth throughout the drinking experience, the massive core of dark fruits combine with chocolate, pipe tobacco and creme de cassis with dried herbs and firm tannins holding everything together. Beautifully structured, with great mid-palate weight and density, this glorious new 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon will cellar well for another two decades. Drink 2023-2045- 97