2022 Cliff Lede "Rhythm" Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District
available
The triumphal 2022 Rhythm exudes class and sophistication right out of the glass, flaunting its Stags Leap District breeding and balanced perfection with confidence. There are gorgeous black currants, kirsch, pain grillé, cigar wrapper, and pencil shavings on the nose, with loamy rocky aromas intertwined with sandalwood and mint. Fresh and balanced with no heaviness, the chocolatey and cassis flavors linger with a fine density along the medium-long finish. – Christopher Tynan, Director of Winemaking
96 Points, The Wine Independent
95 Points, James Suckling
Wine Specs
Vintage
2022
Varietal
Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation
Stags Leap District
Aging
This wine underwent twenty-one months of élevage in French oak barrels, 86% of which were new.
Bottling Date
July 2024
Alcohol %
13.8
Wine Profile
Vineyard Notes
The Rhythm Vineyard is located on the subtle slopes of our Stags Leap District estate. Defined by two large hills at its southern border, this vineyard surrounds our winery and reaches west toward the Napa River. The Rhythm Vineyard’s soil is composed of gravelly loam of varying depths and rock content. The incredibly diverse soil profile enables us to farm several small blocks of Cabernet Sauvignon and additional Bordeaux varieties with unique combinations of clonal selections and rootstocks.
Production Notes
In the cool darkness of night, grapes were hand-picked into small 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 triumphal 2022 Rhythm exudes class and sophistication right out of the glass, flaunting its Stags Leap District breeding and balanced perfection with confidence. There are gorgeous black currants, kirsch, pain grillé, cigar wrapper, and pencil shavings on the nose, with loamy rocky aromas intertwined with sandalwood and mint. Fresh and balanced with no heaviness, the chocolatey and cassis flavors linger with a fine density along the medium-long finish. – Christopher Tynan, Director of Winemaking
Other Notes
Composition: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Petit Verdot, 2% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc