An amazing success story out of Canada, Cliff Lede grew up involved with his family’s successful construction business. He first visited Napa during a business venture in the 1990s. Lede was already a collector of top Bordeaux, and he was immediately 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. Wines from this vineyard are some of the finest that I taste in the Napa Valley.
I have loved these wines for more than a decade. A really great new release that shows outstanding value under 35 bucks, the 2022 Cliff Lede ‘Napa Valley’ Sauvignon Blanc (OB, 93) is texturally beautiful from the Semillon blended in. I just adored their 2019. Cliff Lede ‘Poetry’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 99) which borders on perfection. Silky and rich, this is a sensational new wine. 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, 98) which deftly showcases this world class vineyard. This Cabernet will surely live on for decades to come. 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.
2022 Cliff Lede ‘Napa Valley’ Sauvignon Blanc-The delicious 2022 Cliff Lede ‘Napa Valley’ Sauvignon Blanc has some Semillon blended in from their estate vineyards in Calistoga. The smooth texture is really outstanding as nutmeg drenched pear, brioche and shades of papaya all come together neatly on the palate. Finishing long, this is a beautiful wine that is showing great in its youth. Drink 2023-2030- 93
2021 Cliff Lede ‘Napa Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2021 Cliff Lede ‘Napa Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon is soft and supple once on the mouth, showing some refined tannins. Layers of tar and tobacco leaf combine with mocha, dark currants and suggestions of graphite on the palate. Really good, enjoy this beauty now and over the next ten years to come. Drink 2023-2033- 93
2021 Cliff Lede ‘Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- This brilliant new bottling comes from the famed ‘Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard’ was bought purchased from Beaulieu Vineyard in 1993. Napa icon Hamilton Crabb first planted the vineyard in 1868, and it was then replanted in 1994 to multiple clones of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, as the site shows tight vine spacing and a more modern trellising system. The wine comes off as impeccably balanced, with plenty of loamy soil character. Blackberry pie, creosote and anise tones combine with suggestions of espresso grounds on the palate. Finishing very long, this is already head-turning wine that needs about an hour in the decanter prior to savoring. Drink 2024-2042- 97
2021 Cliff Lede ‘Poetry’ Red Wine-One of the unique sites in the Napa Valley, the Poetry Vineyard was designed by David Abreu and is set on a steep west-facing hillside. This 2021 wine is nearly all Cabernet Sauvignon (89%) with the remainder Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The green herbal notes from the Petit Verdot are sensational right now as creme de cassis and violets combine with pencil lead, and Turkish coffee notes on the nose. The palate is weightless with a seamless texture and beautiful verve. Every working part is moving seamlessly here. Finishing very long with black currants, refined tannins and a graphite edge, this beautiful wine will easily live on for another twenty years. Drink 2024-2044- 99
2021 Cliff Lede ‘Rhythm’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The sensational 2021 ‘Rhythm’ was entirely sourced from the Cliff Lede Estate Vineyards in the Stags Leap District. Inky in the glass, this shows concentrated black and blue fruit flavors alongside tar, Arabica bean grounds and suggestions of creosote. Finishing long with good concentration and finesse, this beauty will easily live on for another fifteen plus years. Drink 2024-2040- 96