Cliff Lede Poetry Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Cliff Lede Poetry Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 is a distinguished red wine from the Stags Leap District in Napa Valley, California, produced by Cliff Lede Vineyards. This wine exemplifies the winery's commitment to crafting exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon that reflects the unique terroir of their estate vineyards.

Vineyard and Terroir

• Poetry Vineyard: Situated on a steep west-facing hillside, the vineyard spans from the highest elevations of the Stags Leap District to the valley floor.
• Soil Composition: Shallow, volcanic soils atop fractured shale, contributing to the wine's complexity.
• Viticulture: High-density planting with low yields results in small, flavorful berries, enhancing concentration and depth.

Winemaking Process

• Harvesting: Grapes are hand-picked during the cool nighttime hours to preserve freshness.
• Sorting: A meticulous three-tiered sorting process, including optical sorting and individual berry selection, ensures optimal fruit quality.
• Fermentation: Whole berries undergo cold soaks lasting five to eight days, followed by fermentation managed through a combination of pump-overs and délestage.
• Maceration: Extended maceration of up to six weeks allows for exceptional extraction and fine-tuning of tannin profiles.
• Aging: Aged for twenty-one months in French oak barrels, 74% new, enhancing structure and complexity.

Tasting Notes

• Appearance: Deep garnet-purple color.
• Aroma: Aromas of warm summer mulberries, fractured rock, and violet perfume envelop the glass.
• Palate: Flavors of wild blackberry preserves, black truffle, sea salt, and steak au poivre juices. Plush tannins swathe the finish, wrapping the tongue in a mineral-laden, majestic embrace with lingering flavors.

Blend Composition

• Cabernet Sauvignon: 85%
• Merlot: 6%
• Cabernet Franc: 6%
• Petit Verdot: 3%

Accolades

• The Wine Independent: 100 Points – "The medium-bodied palate is tightly wound at this youthful stage, revealing layer upon layer of fragrant black and red fruits with loads of mineral sparks, supported by fine-grained tannins and seamless acidity, finishing with epic length."
• Vinous: 98 Points – "The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Poetry is one of the finest wines from Cliff Lede. A classic Stags Leap Cabernet, it races across the palate with dense, inky fruit, crème de cassis, lavender, licorice, chocolate, spice, and espresso."
• Wine Enthusiast: 96 Points – "This well-balanced and elegant wine shows beautifully integrated black fruits, oak spices, and hints of mint and cedar in the aroma, with similarly delicious flavors wrapped in fine-grained tannins for a velvety texture."

Serving Suggestions

• Temperature: Serve at 16-18°C (60-64°F).
• Decanting: Decant for about an hour before serving to allow the wine to open up and reveal its full complexity.
• Food Pairings: Complements well with grilled steaks, roasted lamb, or aged cheeses.