2007 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District
available
Forest floor and Chanterelle mushroom greet the nose immediately. The aroma quickly develops into layers of cardamom, clove, and leather. After decanting, citrus blossom, blackberry jam, and dried currants evolve. This wine is unquestionably Stags Leap District: balanced fine-grained tannin, concentration, and fresh minerality. Satsuma peel, dark chocolate, black cherry, and damson plum characterize the lengthy finish. At cellar temperature, further rewards can be found up to 24 hours after uncorking, in the form of maraschino cherry and raspberry.
Wine Specs
Vintage
2007
Varietal
Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation
Stags Leap District
Bottling Date
June 2009
Alcohol %
14.9
Robert Parker
93
Wine Profile
Vineyard Notes
Fruit was sourced from our estate Twin Peaks Ranch on the Yountville Cross Road, as well as the hillside terraces of our Poetry vineyard, in which yields are maintained at sparse levels, ranging from 0.8 to 3.8 tons/acre. The wine is composed of small batches from many of our best blocks, representing a diverse range of carefully selected rootstocks and clones.
Production Notes
Grapes were picked in the darkness of the early morning hours, and immediately subjected to rigorous selection by our three-tiered sorting and refinement process. The whole berries were gently delivered to tank by our crane system, minimizing disruption of berry integrity. Cold soaks lasted three to six days, and fermentations were managed via a combination of délestage and pumpovers. Extended maceration ranging from three to four weeks fine-tuned our tannin profiles, allowing us to perfect mouth feel and wine complexity. The wine was aged in 60% new French oak and 40% neutral oak for eighteen months.
Winemaker Notes
Forest floor and Chanterelle mushroom greet the nose immediately. The aroma quickly develops into layers of cardamom, clove, and leather. After decanting, citrus blossom, blackberry jam, and dried currants evolve. This wine is unquestionably Stags Leap District: balanced fine-grained tannin, concentration, and fresh minerality. Satsuma peel, dark chocolate, black cherry, and damson plum characterize the lengthy finish. At cellar temperature, further rewards can be found up to 24 hours after uncorking, in the form of maraschino cherry and raspberry.