Cliff Lede Poetry Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District 2017

Cliff Lede Poetry Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District 2017

The fascinatingly mosaic 2017 Poetry possesses a deep garnet color and is front- loaded with crushed black currants, warm slate, violets and Luxardo cherry aromas. Elegant and lithe flavors composed of fruitcake, bone broth, earthy truffle, and vanilla bean intermix with black cardamom and cumin spices. An extraordinarily velvety texture pulses with notes of rainier cherry, espresso roast, molasses, paprika, and hoisin. The remarkable finish is layered with unsmoked cigar, new cast iron, and melted black licorice aromas. This is a triumph of the vintage and should age gracefully for 20+ years or more.

Critical Acclaim

99 Jeb Dunnuck

The flagship is the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Poetry, which is based on 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot, and the balance Merlot. Straight-up awesome notes of black raspberries, blueberries, smoked tobacco, violets, spice box, and gravelly earth as well as a bloody, meaty character all emerge from this magical wine. With full-bodied richness, ultra-fine tannins, flawless balance, and a great, great finish, it doesn't have the sheer opulence of the 2016 or 2015 yet shows a more classical, elegant, style that still packs ample richness and depth. It needs 4-5 years of bottle age and will keep for 20 years or more. It's a candidate for the wine of the vintage and is an incredible achievement for this team. Bravo.

98 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Poetry gives up crème de cassis, baked plums, blueberry compote, chocolate box, earth and aniseed scents on the nose with wafts of cedar chest and pencil lead. Full-bodied, firm and grainy, it is concentrated, very classy and multilayered with great energy and a long finish.

96 Wine Enthusiast

The producer's Poetry Vineyard is steep and at a high-elevation for the appellation. The wine opens in tones of tar, tobacco and brooding black currant, with highlights of cedar, lavender and sage. It's powerfully built and concentrated, showing the structure to last in the cellar. Best from 2027–2032.