Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
A stunning wine that shows off the excellence of its origin and the vintage. Long and deep in cherry, currant and mocha, with a round, creamy texture and plenty of smoky oak. The spicy finish lasts for a long time. So polished and delicious, it’s hard to resist now, but will age gracefully for many years. Note, though, that the Cliff Lede name appears only on the back of the label.
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Wine Spectator
A graceful wine, with an open-knit texture and supple plum, currant and blackberry fruit that turns elegant and polished, gaining complexity and nuance on the finish, where it picks up an earthy edge.
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Connoisseurs' Guide
A fairly direct and accessible wine that shows equal parts of both cherries and sweet, creamy oak, this supple and nicely polished young Cabernet may not aim for the stars, but it is fruity and friendly and comes with a nice sense of charm. In contrast to some of its bigger and brawnier cousins, it avoids any untoward toughness, and its slight trim of tannin should soften out nicely with only a few years of age.
One of the most prestigious wines of the world capable of great power and grace, Napa Valley Cabernet is a leading force in the world of fine, famous, collectible red wine. Today the Napa Valley and Cabernet Sauvignon are so intrinsically linked that it is difficult to discuss one without the other. But it wasn’t until the 1970s that this marriage came to light; sudden international recognition rained upon Napa with the victory of the Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon in the 1976 Judgement of Paris.
Cabernet Sauvignon undoubtedly dominates Napa Valley today, covering half of the land under vine, commanding the highest prices per ton and earning the most critical acclaim. Cabernet Sauvignon’s structure, acidity, capacity to thrive in multiple environs and ability to express nuances of vintage make it perfect for Napa Valley where incredible soil and geographical diversity are found and the climate is perfect for grape growing. Within the Napa Valley lie many smaller sub-AVAs that express specific characteristics based on situation, slope and soil—as a perfect example, Rutherford’s famous dust or Stags Leap District's tart cherry flavors.