2014 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain
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There is an unrelenting quality to the powerful, young 2014 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon. The distinctive flourish of aromas is so reminiscent of the mountain volcanic soil and pine forest terroir where it is grown, that it could be from nowhere else. Sous bois aromas comingle with warm dark chocolate, iron, burning incense, and juniper notes. There is plenty of blackberry, cassis, and black licorice on display, accented with heady fresh mint, lavender, and clove. Almost impenetrable now, this wine has a long life ahead, so it requires some patience. If your curiosity gets the better of you, give this wine some time in the decanter before enjoying. -Christopher Tynan, Director of Winemaking
Wine Specs
Vintage
2014
Varietal
Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation
Howell Mountain
Bottling Date
July 2016
Alcohol %
14.3
Wine Profile
Vineyard Notes
Exceptional high-elevation vineyards in the Howell Mountain appellation produce intensely concentrated grapes for this wine. Soils are volcanic in origin and consist of two main types; the first is decomposed volcanic ash called tufa, and the second is red volcanic rock and clay that is high in iron. Both are nutrient poor, which stresses the vines, producing intense and structured wines from small clusters and berries. The altitude, climate, and soils combine to create a classic mountain Cabernet Sauvignon with incredible concentration, texture, and structure.
Production Notes
Hand harvested in the cool early morning hours, the fruit was immediately subjected to rigorous selection by our three-tiered sorting process, including our cutting edge optical sorter, with a goal of eliminating less-than-perfect berries. The selected fruit was gently delivered to tank via gravity by our crane system, retaining perfect, whole berries. Cold soaks lasted approximately five days, and fermentations were managed by a combination of délestage and pump overs. Extended maceration, ranging from three to four weeks, fine-tuned tannin profiles, allowing us to build structure and wine complexity. The wine was aged in French oak barrels, 60% of which were new, for twenty-one months.
Winemaker Notes
There is an unrelenting quality to the powerful, young 2014 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon. The distinctive flourish of aromas is so reminiscent of the mountain volcanic soil and pine forest terrior where it is grown, that it could be from nowhere else. Sous bois aromas comingle with warm dark chocolate, iron, burning incense, and juniper notes. There is plenty of blackberry, cassis, and black licorice on display, accented with heady fresh mint, lavender, and clove. Almost impenetrable now, this wine has a long life ahead, so it requires some patience. If your curiosity gets the better of you, give this wine some time in the decanter before enjoying. -Christopher Tynan, Winemaker
Production
580 cases
Other Notes
770 cases