2009 SongBook Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Songbook appears to be going through a fairly massive stage now that it is in bottle. A rich, powerful offering, the 2009 bursts from the glass with huge dark fruit, mocha, smoke, espresso, sweet herbs, tobacco and incense, all supported by big, powerful tannins. The early appeal I sensed last year is nowhere to be found. It looks like readers will have to be a little more patient than I originally envisioned. The 2009 Songbook is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc and 6% Petit Verdot, all sourced from David Abreu’s Madrona Ranch and Thorevilos vineyards. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024. This is a strong and consistent range from Cliff Lede and his team. In addition to these wines, I also tasted a few 2011 component wines that were promising. Lede is keeping his 2011s separate for a longer time than normal before blending to see how they develop, a common choice in this very challenging vintage. Tel. (800) 428-2259

The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Songbook is a striking wine graced with exquisite perfume and finessed, silky tannins. There is a fair amount of Cabernet Franc in the blend, which accounts for much of the wine's personality. This is one of the more elegant, layered wines in the Cliff Lede portfolio. Sweet spices, flowers and dark red fruit wrap around the textured finish. Songbook is all elegance and class. Lede sources the fruit for Songbook from neDavid Abreu's Madrona Ranch and Thorevilos vineyards. In 2009 the blend is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc and 6% Petit Verdot.

Good deep ruby-red. Musky, wild aromas of blackberry, huckleberry, licorice and game. Creamy-sweet but with a mineral firmness giving grip to the expressive flavors of wild berries, cherry and licorice. Tightens up on the back end, with the wine's oak component currently restricting its fruit. Firmly structured for a leisurely evolution in bottle.