Cliff Lede
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(12x75cl) 2014Indulge in the elegant complexity of the Cliff Lede Beckstoffer To Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, a benchmark wine embodying the majestic power and nuanced finesse that only Napa Valley's iconic To Kalon Vineyard can provide. Winemaker Cliff Lede, known for his rock-and-roll approach, harnesses key blocks of this historic vineyard, masterfully crafting this vintage with a blend of classic Bordeaux varieties.
On the palate, this wine boasts opulent, full-bore purple fruit, seductively woven with black cherry, dark chocolate and sweet baking spice notes, underpinned by incredibly plush, silky tannins. After meticulous aging in 75% new French oak for a period of 21 months, the Cliff Lede Beckstoffer To Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 showcases immense aging potential.
Adorned with critical acclaim from revered wine publications, this limited-edition masterpiece encapsulates a monumental expression of Napa Valley terroir, worthy of any discerning collector's cellar.
Inc. VAT£3,517.51 -
(12x75cl) 2015
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)
The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon is a massive wine. Blackberry jam, espresso, incense, licorice and grilled herbs saturate the palate with tons of textural intensity and sheer power. Huge tannins and heavy toast notes are front and center. Overall, the 2015 has aged very well. I expect it will always be a powerhouse that reflects the Cliff Lede style of the day. I don't think the potent To Kalon tannins will ever fully soften, but this is an undeniably attractive wine.Inc. VAT£3,517.51 -
(12x75cl) 2018
In the prestige vineyards of Napa Valley, resides a quintessential Cabernet Sauvignon, the Cliff Lede Beckstoffer To Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon 2018. This resplendent Californian red wine is a creation of Cliff Lede, a Canadian aficionado knowledgeable in both vine and verse. Cultivated in the historic To Kalon terroir, the wine possesses layers of complex flavours reflecting the gravelly alluvial fan soils of Oakville Appellation.
Narrating a marvellous maturation story, the grapes were hand-harvested and meticulously sorted before a gentle gravity-flow process led them to oak fermentation tanks. After carefully ageing for 18 months in French oak barrels, the Cliff Lede Beckstoffer To Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 reveals a bouquet of blackberries and crème de cassis, underscored by nuances of cigar box and graphite. Bright acidity on the palate yields an incredibly balanced drink with a sublime finish.
Crown your cellar with this illustrious Californian Cabernet, a testament to Cliff Lede's dedication to supreme viticulture and expert winemaking.
Inc. VAT£2,938.18 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96)
The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Poetry is sensual, powerful and totally alluring. Dark blue fruits, espresso, incense and licorice are beautifully woven together. Poetry is not quite as bombastic as the other two 2015s I tasted for this report, but it's still a pretty heady wine. It has also aged spectacularly well. All the elements are so well balanced.Inc. VAT£1,366.40 -
(6x75cl) 2016Vinous (94)
The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Poetry is another gorgeous wine from Cliff Lede. Crème de cassis, lavender, cloves, graphite, chocolate, sweet French oak and torrefaction notes infuse this sumptuous, full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon from Lede's Poetry block in Stags Leap. This is another full-throttle wine endowed with a ton of character.Inc. VAT£1,727.83 -
(6x75cl) 2015Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96)
The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Songbook is another terrific wine from Cliff Lede. It, too, has aged well. The integration of oak is also far better than in the To Kalon, even with the considerable presence of heavily toasted barrels. Inky red fruit, bay leaf, blood orange, white truffle and star anise give the 2015 its wild, exotic personality. The Songbook has aged well and will drink well for another decade plus. The combination of rich, layered fruit and strong savory markers of the Martha's clone makes for a gorgeous, totally beguiling Cabernet.Inc. VAT£1,234.40 -
Wine Advocate (93)
One of the best-run and now superstar wineries in all of Napa is Cliff Lede. Starting with their 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap, a beautiful example of this AVA, the wine has a dense ruby/purple color, floral notes intermixed with crème de cassis , graphite and forest floor. It is full bodied, but with the elegance, finesse and lightness of being, despite its intensity. The wood is pushed to the background, and the wine is beautifully pure and long. Drink it over the next 20 years.Inc. VAT£962.47
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(12x75cl) 2014
Indulge in the elegant complexity of the Cliff Lede Beckstoffer To Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, a benchmark wine embodying the majestic power and nuanced finesse that only Napa Valley's iconic To Kalon Vineyard can provide. Winemaker Cliff Lede, known for his rock-and-roll approach, harnesses key blocks of this historic vineyard, masterfully crafting this vintage with a blend of classic Bordeaux varieties.
On the palate, this wine boasts opulent, full-bore purple fruit, seductively woven with black cherry, dark chocolate and sweet baking spice notes, underpinned by incredibly plush, silky tannins. After meticulous aging in 75% new French oak for a period of 21 months, the Cliff Lede Beckstoffer To Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 showcases immense aging potential.
Adorned with critical acclaim from revered wine publications, this limited-edition masterpiece encapsulates a monumental expression of Napa Valley terroir, worthy of any discerning collector's cellar.
In Bond£2,892.78 -
(12x75cl) 2015
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)
The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon is a massive wine. Blackberry jam, espresso, incense, licorice and grilled herbs saturate the palate with tons of textural intensity and sheer power. Huge tannins and heavy toast notes are front and center. Overall, the 2015 has aged very well. I expect it will always be a powerhouse that reflects the Cliff Lede style of the day. I don't think the potent To Kalon tannins will ever fully soften, but this is an undeniably attractive wine.In Bond£2,892.78 -
(12x75cl) 2018
In the prestige vineyards of Napa Valley, resides a quintessential Cabernet Sauvignon, the Cliff Lede Beckstoffer To Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon 2018. This resplendent Californian red wine is a creation of Cliff Lede, a Canadian aficionado knowledgeable in both vine and verse. Cultivated in the historic To Kalon terroir, the wine possesses layers of complex flavours reflecting the gravelly alluvial fan soils of Oakville Appellation.
Narrating a marvellous maturation story, the grapes were hand-harvested and meticulously sorted before a gentle gravity-flow process led them to oak fermentation tanks. After carefully ageing for 18 months in French oak barrels, the Cliff Lede Beckstoffer To Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 reveals a bouquet of blackberries and crème de cassis, underscored by nuances of cigar box and graphite. Bright acidity on the palate yields an incredibly balanced drink with a sublime finish.
Crown your cellar with this illustrious Californian Cabernet, a testament to Cliff Lede's dedication to supreme viticulture and expert winemaking.
In Bond£2,410.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96)
The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Poetry is sensual, powerful and totally alluring. Dark blue fruits, espresso, incense and licorice are beautifully woven together. Poetry is not quite as bombastic as the other two 2015s I tasted for this report, but it's still a pretty heady wine. It has also aged spectacularly well. All the elements are so well balanced.In Bond£1,118.00 -
(6x75cl) 2016
Vinous (94)
The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Poetry is another gorgeous wine from Cliff Lede. Crème de cassis, lavender, cloves, graphite, chocolate, sweet French oak and torrefaction notes infuse this sumptuous, full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon from Lede's Poetry block in Stags Leap. This is another full-throttle wine endowed with a ton of character.In Bond£1,420.62 -
(6x75cl) 2015
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96)
The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Songbook is another terrific wine from Cliff Lede. It, too, has aged well. The integration of oak is also far better than in the To Kalon, even with the considerable presence of heavily toasted barrels. Inky red fruit, bay leaf, blood orange, white truffle and star anise give the 2015 its wild, exotic personality. The Songbook has aged well and will drink well for another decade plus. The combination of rich, layered fruit and strong savory markers of the Martha's clone makes for a gorgeous, totally beguiling Cabernet.In Bond£1,008.00 -
Wine Advocate (93)
One of the best-run and now superstar wineries in all of Napa is Cliff Lede. Starting with their 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap, a beautiful example of this AVA, the wine has a dense ruby/purple color, floral notes intermixed with crème de cassis , graphite and forest floor. It is full bodied, but with the elegance, finesse and lightness of being, despite its intensity. The wood is pushed to the background, and the wine is beautifully pure and long. Drink it over the next 20 years.In Bond£761.00
