2013 Cliff Lede Stardust Heaven Cabernet Sauvignon, Rock Block Series, Stags Leap District, 3L
available
“Stardust Heaven” shows what great Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon has to offer. Dark and inviting, with enticing, explosive aromas of warm slate, black currants, and cassis, along with black licorice, and pain grillé, this Cabernet is a sensual experience from start to finish. Silky and plush tannins combine with crushed rock and mineral notes, classic of the Stags Leap District, to make this wine irresistible now, but patience will be rewarded with cellar aging over the next twenty years.
Wine Specs
Vintage
2013
Varietal
Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation
Stags Leap District
Alcohol %
14.9
Robert Parker
98
Wine Profile
Vineyard Notes
Our estate vineyard blocks are named after some of Cliff’s favorite rock songs. The name for this blend is derived from the "Ziggy Stardust" and "Stairway to Heaven" blocks of our Poetry Vineyard. These steep terraced vineyard blocks feature shallow volcanic soil planted with high vine density and farmed to very low yields.
Production Notes
In the cool darkness of night, grapes were hand-picked into twenty-five pound bins to minimize crushing. By early morning, the grapes were subjected to rigorous selection by our three-tiered sorting process which includes our cutting edge optical sorter, and a slow, individual berry hand sort. The fruit was gently gravity-delivered to small tanks and by our unique crane system which kept the berries intact. Cold soaks lasted from five to eight days, and fermentations were managed through a combination of pump overs and délestage. Extended maceration of up to six weeks ensured exceptional extraction and fine-tuning of tannin profiles. This wine underwent eighteen months of élevage in French oak barrels, 80% of which were new. The final blend is composed of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, and 3% Petit Verdot.
Winemaker Notes
“Stardust Heaven” shows what great Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon has to offer. Dark and inviting, with enticing, explosive aromas of warm slate, black currants, and cassis, along with black licorice, and pain grillé, this Cabernet is a sensual experience from start to finish. Silky and plush tannins combine with crushed rock and mineral notes, classic of the Stags Leap District, to make this wine irresistible now, but patience will be rewarded with cellar aging over the next twenty years.