2017 Cliff Lede Songbook Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 3L in Wood Box
available
The 2017 Songbook is a wonderful example of how the synthesis of great terroir and exquisite farming can create legendary wines in difficult vintages.
Wine Specs
Vintage
2017
Varietal
Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation
Napa Valley
Aging
twenty-one months of élevage in French oak barrels, 66% of which are new.
Alcohol %
14.8
Wine Enthusiast
94
Robert Parker
94
Wine Profile
Vineyard Notes
Songbook is sourced from two of acclaimed viticulturist David Abreu’s personally-farmed properties: Thorevilos Vineyard, situated between the St. Helena and Howell Mountain AVAs, and Madrona Ranch, nestled in the foothills of the Mayacamas mountain range. These vineyards produce grapes of exceptional character resulting from proprietary clones, extremely low yields, and meticulous farming. The result is a winemaker’s dream.
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 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
Winemaker Notes
The Madrona Ranch components lend gravel notes and pure cassis, wild blackberry, bay laurel, and liquorice root aromas and flavors. The Thorevilos Vineyard lots add damson plum, warm mission fig, juniper, and talc. Precise and well defined, this young wine exudes a confidence and purity on the palate. The lasting finish struts with an array of citrus botanicals, beef blood, and the spices anise, cinnamon, and coriander. - Christopher Tynan, Director of Winemaking