2015 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District

Community Tasting Notes (35) Avg Score: 92.0 points

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  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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