2005 Poetry Stags Leap District

Deep red-ruby. Deep aromas of currant, mulberry, tobacco, earth and musky game; the least obviously oaky of these wines. Suave on entry, then silky and fine-grained, with a restrained sweetness but considerable early appeal to the seamless berry and soil flavors. Finishes broad, with a fine dusting of tannins and excellent persistence. As good a wine as I've tasted to date from this producer.

The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Poetry (925 cases of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Malbec, and the rest Petit Verdot and Merlot) is the richest of these wines. Superbly deep ruby/purple-colored with notes of blackberry, cassis, licorice, subtle smoke, and incense, this opulent wine has a plush palate, silky tannins, impressive purity, stature, and length. However, the tannins are there and the wine still tastes primary despite its enormous potential. Give it 3-4 years of bottle age and drink it over the following three decades. Canadian businessman Cliff Lede has Michelle Edwards as his winemaker, David Abreu as his viticulturalist, and of course none other than Michel Rolland as his winemaking consultant, so big things are expected. If 2005 is any indication, they are already well on their way to making world-class wines. This 60-acre property with the vineyards and winery in the Stags Leap area and the winery right on the Yountville cross (across the road from another up-and-coming superstar, Kapcsandy) made their first vintages in 2002, but I think the 2005s move this winery to higher ground. Tel. (800) 428-2259; Fax (707) 944-8020