I thought I had grabbed a 13 from the cellar, and did not notice the vintage until after the bottle was finished. I pulled the cork 90 minutes before dinner. This wine is in a great place at the moment. Black/blue fruits on the nose, mostly blackberries and currants on the palate, with a bit of plum, finishing with licorice, chocolate and tapenade. Typical streak of minerality. Nice balance between the dark fruits and integrated tannins. Well done and a great cab for the price
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Big, robust, fruit filled. Deep garnet color, great fill level, no signs of diminution. Plenty of raspberry, blackberry, graphite and pepper on the palate. Full bodied with grippy but not overwhelming tannins and a lingering oaky finish. In short, just about the sweet spot as far as my tastes go. The drinking window seems to be right on target for this
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I have had a few 2015 cabs recently that have all entered a nice drinking window. Early on, I found this to be rather reserved and a tad bitter (times two bottles) but this one was ready to go.nice black and blue fruits, dry mineral driven finish. Well balanced, lush fruits. Nice complexity from the blend of Bordeaux grapes. This is probably drinking at its peak for tastes
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Really wish we had more of this wine. Black fruit and chocolate on the foretaste, good, well balanced tannins and spice come into play. A long complex finish. Tasting at its peak, still fresh and just slightly edgy, but full of layers and flavor.
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For those not aware (of at least the following information), the title of this post refers to the founder of his namesake winey; Cliff Lede. Still confused? After founding the winery in 2002, Cliff asked David Abreu to replant the vineyards. Then Lede decided to name each vineyard block after some of his favorite rock songs and albums, from “My Generation” to “Dark Side of the Moon,” creating what is known today as the Cliff Lede Vineyards “Rock Blocks.” 46 songs in total on Spotify (is that a dirty name?). As for the addition of “eh,” Cliff happens to be Canadian, it was the closest thing I could use for the article for that identifying information. For today’s wine, I’ll be focusing on the
Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District 2015
From his Napa Green Certified estate hillside terraced vineyards of Poetry and Twin Peaks, with a little extra thrown in, this Bordeaux blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 7% Merlot, 7% Malbec, and 2% Cabernet Franc, is finessed further along with the addition of 21 months aging in French Oak barrels, 80% of which are new.
Thus creating a very Bordeaux-esque style of wine. Concentrated flavors of cassis, blackberry with undertones relatively dry and rustic. Tannins make themselves known, but not overt, although needing the last few years and potentially many more to soften even further. The medium-long finish is accompanied by spice notes to complete the total package. Cellaring or a long decant (2 hours minimum) will only enhance your experience.
For those seeking an Old World wine from new and progressive winemakers, this is your wine. You might even stop over at Spotify and get a listen to Cliff’s Rock Blocks, so long as you’re not boycotting them.
Cheers
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My husband and I both gave this a 97 because it was everything a Cab should be. In fact, Cliff Lede Cabs have been consistently outstanding, in our opinions. (We previously had the 2013 and 2014 vintages as well, and rated both of them very high.)
Had with prime rib, but would be very good with grilled steak or anything regarding a very flavorful and quite bold (but not too bold) Cab.
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One of four young cabs selected for a family tasting on vacation. This was our most expensive wine and performed very well although it needs significant aging.
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Not particularly Stag's Leap-y but very good. A bit chunkier. VERY tannic, actually. For reference, the Darioush cab tasted some months ago has softened up substantially, and this has not. Good dark fruits, moderate oak.
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This one is just entering its drinking window and is already fantastic. Needs several hours of decanting. This will only get better with more time. I would give it at least 3 more years. Still Improving in the bottle. Really bold and needs time for tannins to relax. Yet another Cliff Lede Cab hit.
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Served blind Dense deep purple Ripe dark berry without being over ripe Fairly tight tannins on opening, better with air, ripe rich cocoa notes, but still better with a few more years.
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Deep purple hue. Scents of pencil shavings, carmel, and toasted pecan. Plum, and cassis with oak and hint of cocoa. Incredible structure and well balanced with an unbelievably long drying finish. 93 points.
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Impressive. Smoky and dark fruited, polished strong tannins and a bit of vanilla. Love the dark profile and smoky flint notes. Really strong entry level wine.
well ok you can drink this Napanomics bomb...but like the Arizona Cardinals you could have found something better than Kliff Kingsbury lolz #Kliffloveswhiteclaws
Samples: Rich purple color. Dark aromas of blackberries and currant compote, with menthol, cedar, cocoa, pine resin, complex and evolving aromas. On the palate, well-built tannins but velvety, and crisp acidity makes this wine enticing. Black currant and dark plums laced with tobacco, eucalyptus, iron, cedar, dark earth. Lots of time ahead for this wine, another impressive vintage of this wine. Aged 21 months in 80% new French oak.
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A very easy bottle to drink. Great nose. Tons of fruit with clove spice. some tannins left. can drink easily over 5 years. hint of a peppery pine going on in there. Cheers
2/18/2024 - Franken Berry Likes this wine: 93 Points
I thought I had grabbed a 13 from the cellar, and did not notice the vintage until after the bottle was finished. I pulled the cork 90 minutes before dinner. This wine is in a great place at the moment. Black/blue fruits on the nose, mostly blackberries and currants on the palate, with a bit of plum, finishing with licorice, chocolate and tapenade. Typical streak of minerality. Nice balance between the dark fruits and integrated tannins. Well done and a great cab for the price
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11/12/2023 - wconnolly Likes this wine: 91 Points
Big, robust, fruit filled. Deep garnet color, great fill level, no signs of diminution. Plenty of raspberry, blackberry, graphite and pepper on the palate. Full bodied with grippy but not overwhelming tannins and a lingering oaky finish. In short, just about the sweet spot as far as my tastes go. The drinking window seems to be right on target for this
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9/24/2023 - Franken Berry Likes this wine: 93 Points
I have had a few 2015 cabs recently that have all entered a nice drinking window. Early on, I found this to be rather reserved and a tad bitter (times two bottles) but this one was ready to go.nice black and blue fruits, dry mineral driven finish. Well balanced, lush fruits. Nice complexity from the blend of Bordeaux grapes.
This is probably drinking at its peak for tastes
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12/24/2022 - blabbott wrote: 94 Points
Really wish we had more of this wine. Black fruit and chocolate on the foretaste, good, well balanced tannins and spice come into play. A long complex finish. Tasting at its peak, still fresh and just slightly edgy, but full of layers and flavor.
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3/17/2022 - Hi.its.Don.4.Wine Likes this wine: 93 Points
Rock Blocks - eh
For those not aware (of at least the following information), the title of this post refers to the founder of his namesake winey; Cliff Lede. Still confused? After founding the winery in 2002, Cliff asked David Abreu to replant the vineyards. Then Lede decided to name each vineyard block after some of his favorite rock songs and albums, from “My Generation” to “Dark Side of the Moon,” creating what is known today as the Cliff Lede Vineyards “Rock Blocks.” 46 songs in total on Spotify (is that a dirty name?). As for the addition of “eh,” Cliff happens to be Canadian, it was the closest thing I could use for the article for that identifying information. For today’s wine, I’ll be focusing on the
Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District 2015
From his Napa Green Certified estate hillside terraced vineyards of Poetry and Twin Peaks, with a little extra thrown in, this Bordeaux blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 7% Merlot, 7% Malbec, and 2% Cabernet Franc, is finessed further along with the addition of 21 months aging in French Oak barrels, 80% of which are new.
Thus creating a very Bordeaux-esque style of wine. Concentrated flavors of cassis, blackberry with undertones relatively dry and rustic. Tannins make themselves known, but not overt, although needing the last few years and potentially many more to soften even further. The medium-long finish is accompanied by spice notes to complete the total package. Cellaring or a long decant (2 hours minimum) will only enhance your experience.
For those seeking an Old World wine from new and progressive winemakers, this is your wine. You might even stop over at Spotify and get a listen to Cliff’s Rock Blocks, so long as you’re not boycotting them.
Cheers
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2/21/2022 - tc from santee Likes this wine: 92 Points
A well structured wine showing the Stags Leap terroir.
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2/13/2022 - Handy1 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Open for 3 hours ready to go. Nice dark fruit some tannins but really nice.
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6/28/2021 - tunaguy wrote:
this was mediocre for me. mostly cassis and pyrazines with some oaky notes. did not carry it's 15% well.
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3/28/2021 - Frank-H Likes this wine: 90 Points
Good wine. 90
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1/24/2021 - Kenny_Powers Likes this wine: 92 Points
Give it an hour of air. Then send me a personalized thank you letter. I like gruyere and spicy genoa if you wanna send gifts.
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12/25/2020 - Kathrynfore Likes this wine: 97 Points
My husband and I both gave this a 97 because it was everything a Cab should be. In fact, Cliff Lede Cabs have been consistently outstanding, in our opinions. (We previously had the 2013 and 2014 vintages as well, and rated both of them very high.)
Had with prime rib, but would be very good with grilled steak or anything regarding a very flavorful and quite bold (but not too bold) Cab.
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12/5/2020 - VinoViking wrote:
Not ready for prime time. Tight and selfish at this point. Hold.
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10/22/2020 - YankeeRobio Likes this wine: 95 Points
Fantastic wine
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8/23/2020 - wynnewood500 Likes this wine:
One of four young cabs selected for a family tasting on vacation. This was our most expensive wine and performed very well although it needs significant aging.
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7/25/2020 - JHuseby1 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Outstanding! We'll developed with velvety mouthfeel and rich dark fruit.
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4/28/2020 - littlefoot wrote: 91 Points
Not particularly Stag's Leap-y but very good. A bit chunkier. VERY tannic, actually. For reference, the Darioush cab tasted some months ago has softened up substantially, and this has not.
Good dark fruits, moderate oak.
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4/25/2020 - The Wine Sherpa Likes this wine: 95 Points
This one is just entering its drinking window and is already fantastic. Needs several hours of decanting. This will only get better with more time. I would give it at least 3 more years. Still Improving in the bottle. Really bold and needs time for tannins to relax. Yet another Cliff Lede Cab hit.
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1/26/2020 - jrhonda160 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Fresh, clean, very nice.
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12/15/2019 - cos65 Likes this wine:
Served blind
Dense deep purple
Ripe dark berry without being over ripe
Fairly tight tannins on opening, better with air, ripe rich cocoa notes, but still better with a few more years.
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11/15/2019 - CoryDean44 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Deep purple hue. Scents of pencil shavings, carmel, and toasted pecan. Plum, and cassis with oak and hint of cocoa. Incredible structure and well balanced with an unbelievably long drying finish. 93 points.
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9/1/2019 - Nutty08 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Impressive. Smoky and dark fruited, polished strong tannins and a bit of vanilla. Love the dark profile and smoky flint notes. Really strong entry level wine.
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8/16/2019 - Bro-rolo wrote: 90 Points
well ok you can drink this Napanomics bomb...but like the Arizona Cardinals you could have found something better than Kliff Kingsbury lolz #Kliffloveswhiteclaws
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8/11/2019 - Halahoop_eh Likes this wine: 93 Points
Rich, Smokey, oaky, super fine tannin, great legs
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8/10/2019 - Scar510 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Hawai’i! Merrimans. Loved it, jammy. Awesome.
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7/31/2019 - Joshdana wrote: 90 Points
Big flavor, still a aggressive. Would like to age
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5/12/2019 - wineotim Likes this wine: 92 Points
This was quite an evolution, popped and poured and it was ready to go. Ripe, soft, smooth, and open, medium bodied. Oh and lest I forget sweet too.
Second day this gains firmness, acidity, and some tannin. Sheds the sweetness. I still prefer the '12,'13, and the '14.
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3/30/2019 - BC Vino lover wrote:
Drank with Kennedy’s
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2/27/2019 - chadbuchanan wrote: 94 Points
Amazing. Decanted 1-1.5 hours before first class and enjoyed over 3 hours. Layered, balanced, and excellent tannins.
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11/25/2018 - brw24 Likes this wine: 87 Points
Agree with hold for now. Needs more time.
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11/8/2018 - TTexasTom Likes this wine: 88 Points
Ok
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10/2/2018 - Double-A wrote: 88 Points
Bright cherry and toast nose. Full and chocolaty with good fruit and a fresh balance. Warming finish.
3.5/5
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8/30/2018 - Cuellar's Cellar Likes this wine: 92 Points
Hold it. but i you must ...drink it. Decant for 2-3 hours. if you hold, you can hold tis 2024 :)
Cheers
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3/17/2018 - isaacjamesbaker wrote: 93 Points
Samples: Rich purple color. Dark aromas of blackberries and currant compote, with menthol, cedar, cocoa, pine resin, complex and evolving aromas. On the palate, well-built tannins but velvety, and crisp acidity makes this wine enticing. Black currant and dark plums laced with tobacco, eucalyptus, iron, cedar, dark earth. Lots of time ahead for this wine, another impressive vintage of this wine. Aged 21 months in 80% new French oak.
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3/14/2018 - KeithSurg wrote: 91 Points
Deep, dark color. Red and blue fruit flavors, nice concentration and balance. Hints of lavendar and mint. Approachable now, but should be patient.
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2/19/2018 - Cuellar's Cellar Likes this wine: 91 Points
A very easy bottle to drink. Great nose. Tons of fruit with clove spice. some tannins left. can drink easily over 5 years. hint of a peppery pine going on in there. Cheers
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