2010 Cliff Lede Poetry Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap Diststric
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Tasting notes
Bright, dark ruby-red; a bit more lucid than the Stag's Leap bottling. Darker and higher-pitched on the nose as well, offering aromas of cassis, blueberry and kirsch complicated and lifted by menthol, violet and minerals. Conveys more energy than the basic Stags Leap District Cabernet without any less soil character. Quite suave and fine-grained, and a bit cool, on entry, then youthfully concentrated and still a bit tight in the middle, showing more verve and concentration than the last. There's some herbal character here as well but it's an element of complexity and in balance with the wine's fruit and soil elements. Finishes with a firm but suave dusting of tannins and excellent length. At once stylish and strong, and not yet at its peak.
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The most expensive wine in this portfolio is the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Poetry, a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot and the rest small quantities of Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec. This dark purple-colored 2010 offers up notes of blueberries, black currants, lead pencil shavings, spring flowers and high class, subtle toasty oak. Full-bodied, it comes across as the quintessential marriage of power and finesse. The extraordinary purity, deep, multilayered mid-palate and tremendous length result in a wine that can be approached now, or cellared for 20-25 years. www.cliffledevineyards.com
(includes 16% merlot, 5% petit verdot, 3% cabernet franc and 1% malbec; like the Songbook, this was aged in 100% new oak for 25 months): Saturated ruby-red. Blackberry, blueberry and cassis aromas are complemented by cool slatey minerality. At once lush and bright, with terrific mouthfilling breadth to the dark berry, currant and mineral flavors. Spreads out to saturate the palate on the long finish, with suave tannins and a hint of herbal coolness calling for patience. This, too, has excellent aging potential.
Lede's 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Poetry brings together the aromatic nuance and overt florality of the Landslide Fire with the heft and concentration of the Songbook, a pretty appealing combination in my book. Power and richness dominate in a wine that nevertheless retains considerable finesse. Over time, the more silky, gracious side of the Poetry emerges as layers of fruit appear to blossom in all directions. This is another totally delicious, compelling wine from Cliff Lede. The blend is 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 1% Malbec.