Argentina/Chile Tasting at Wine Watch

Lloyd: What the hell are we doing here, Harry? We gotta get out of this town!

Harry: Oh yeah, and go where? Where are we gonna go?

Lloyd: I'll tell you where. Someplace warm. A place where the beer flows like wine. Where beautiful women instinctively flock like the salmon of Capistrano. I'm talking about a little place called Aspen.

Harry: Oh, I don't know, Lloyd. The French are assholes.

We are going to South America next Friday night with our final class on Argentina and Chile here at the store with over 30 selections from these two countries.

This tasting combines the two powerhouse wine producing countries of South America, Chile and Argentina.  These two countries are making some of the best wines in the world, especially when it comes to Bordeaux varietal.  It is hard to beat Chile and Argentina when it comes to value and each country has its own specialty that is unique in the world of wine in terms of grape varietals and there will be a lot of Carmenere and Malbec on the table this evening.

Join us as we explore some of the best that these two countries have to offer side by side to see who will win this battle of South American wine supremacy.  Wine Watch Caterings Toni Lampasone will be on hand to provide a few small courses to accompany the tasting wines.  This is a walk around tasting and is limited to 35 tasters.  The fee for this tasting is $45 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463.

Chile and Argentina Tasting at Wine WatchFriday, September 5th7pm

Transatlantic

Veramonte Sauvignon Blanc 2013            Price: $10.50                       Sale $9.24            Case $108           

One hundred percent of the Sauvignon Blanc grapes come from our Casablanca estate. The grapes are harvested at night in order to maintain fresh and bright acidity. The grapes go straight to the press where the juice sits for 24 hours and after three days the juice is racked off of the lees to finally ferment at low temperatures in stainless steel tanks ensuring multilayers of aromas and flavors.

Los Vascos Chardonnay 2012      Price: $11.00                       Sale $9.68            Case $113           

In the mid-nineteenth century, two of the leading Chilean wine producers brought vines from Bordeaux to improve the quality of the original vineyard of Viña Los Vascos. Chile's natural geographic frontiers protected it from the Phyloxera epidemic of the late nineteenth century and resulted in an unbroken line of wine stock that now produces some of the finest wines in all of Chile. The acquisition of 50% of Los Vascos by Rothschild (Lafite) in 1988 was the result of an exhaustive search of more than one hundred Chilean wines for one that could meet their criteria for excellence. The vineyard's own Chardonnay grapes are complemented by a selection of grapes from the Casablanca valley located further north between Santiago and Valparaíso, which is renowned for its great Chardonnay production.

Ritual Pinot Noir Casablanca Valley 2011 Price: $18.00                       Sale $15.84          Case $184           

2011 Ritual Pinot Noir is an elegant wine with density and richness. Vibrant flavors of cherry and rasberry, soft tannins, fresh acidity and a lingering finish.

Cultivate The Gambler Malbec 2011 Price: $13.25                       Sale $11.66          Case $184           

A blend of 90% Malbec and 10% Bonarda.  The Gambler is a broad, brawny, and powerful red wine with flavor and texture for days. Ripe Malbec is counterbalanced with a touch of Bonarda to create a forceful and full mouthfeel of blue and black fruits, leather and spice.

Casa Silva Carmenere    Price: $12.50                       Sale $11.00          Case $128           

All from premium sectors of Viña Casa Silva’s own estates in the Colchagua Valley.  Ruby red colour. Gorgeous aroma. Hints of tobacco, black and red fruits. Round on the palate, soft tannins and balanced acidity with sweet fruit, cherries and blackberry notes. Long finish.

Los Vascos RSV Cabernet Sauvignon 2010             Price: $17.00                       Sale $14.96          Case $174           

Deep ruby red color. Complex fruity nose, ripe cherries and blackberries, firm figs and notes of cedar, tobacco, cinnamon, white pepper, mint and bitter chocolate. Well-structured on the palate, offering remarkable balance, volume and consistency. A wine to be enjoyed alone or with friends, while reading a good book or simply for the pleasure of drinking a fine wine.

Los Vascos Le Dix 2011  Price: $60.00                       Sale $52.80          Case $612           

(92 Points) "The 2011 Le Dix Cabernet Sauvignon is a textbook Cabernet Sauvignon, very classical, with the typical descriptors of the variety framed by some oak and a medium-bodied palate, perhaps lacking a bit in the mid-palate a little austere, but with good balance and acidity to evolve nicely in the bottle."  The Wine Advocate

Vine Craft

Cuvelier Los Andes  Grand Vin 2008 Price: $36.00       Sale $31.68          Case $368

(91 points)    A dark red, delivering sappy blackberry compote, kirsch and cassis notes, woven with fine tannins and well-integrated layers of spice, grilled herb and mesquite. Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2015. 2,500 cases imported. –NW     Wine Spectator   Issue: Web Only - 2012

Diamandes Malbec Mendoza  2011 Price: $18.75       Sale $16.50          Case $192

One of the (magnificent?) seven, Jean-Jacques Bonnie (Ch. Malartic Lagraviere) is a tireless marketeer of his family's Mendoza winery. After forwarding half of their production to the cooperative Clos de los Siete project, Bonnie's DiamAndes defines their own style with full-on, high-altitude Malbecs and flavor-packed gems like the deliciously ripe, barrel-aged Perlita.

Prisma Sauvignon blanc Casablanca Chile 2013 Price: $15.75       Sale $13.86          Case $161.00

This hand-harvested, un-oaked, 100% Sauvignon Blanc is produced from a glend of three Casablanca Valley vineyards: El Ensueño, Belén, and El Principal. The sandy, clay soils and cool, coastal climate contribute to a bright, fresh character in the wine. Citrus notes of lemon, lime, and grapefruit, combined with a mineral undertone lead to a crisp, elegant, and well-balanced finish.

Prisma Pinot Noir Casablanca Chile  2011 Price: $15.75       Sale $13.86          Case $161.00

This hand-harvested, 100% Pinot Noir is blend of three clones produced from a single vineyard located in the Casablanca Valley. The granite soils and cool, coastal climate produce a fresh, vibrant and aromatic wine. It shows bright red fruit notes of strawberry and cherry, with an underlying hint of oak, that leads to a lifted mid-palate and smooth, velvety finish.

Tunquen Syrah Casablanca Chile  2011 Price: $27.00       Sale $23.76          Case $276

Only 12 Barrels Produced!!  A quite intense winter and heavy frosts in the spring gave way to a summer of moderate temperatures in the 2011 season. These conditions led grapes to develop their plenitude within two weeks of delay in relation to the regular period, and just by the 9th of May we were sure it was time to harvest. Grapes were manually sorted and then destemmed. Must was let on cold soak with pumping over for six days. Fermentation was natural and an extended maceration with punch downs guaranteed a nice color and tannin extraction. Racked to three to five years old French barriques, the 12 months aging rounded tannins and imparted exquisite notes of exotic spices. Fresh and vibrant, with berries and mineral scents, this is a great Syrah for my wife and me.

Tunquen Cabernet Franc Casablanca Chile 2011 Price: $27.00       Sale $23.76          Case $276

This is a tiny produciton wine only 9 Barrels Produced!!  Cabernet Franc is not a traditional grape at Casablanca, but we decided to take our chances. Hand harvested on May 24th, with winter on the door. We made a double selection, and destemmed 100% of the bunches. We started with a cold maceration for 6 days and then fermented with wild yeasts in 1,000 liter bins. After the fermentation, a post fermentation maceration for 7 days. Transferred to French used oak barrels, the resting for 15 months gave us an elegant wine, with notes of red fruits, cassis, dried leaves and a delicious mineral touch. It is an amazing wine for food, and to maintain all these characteristics, we did not filter it, so you can find some sediment over time.

Southern wine & Spirits

2010 Casa Lapostolle Clos Apalta Price: $90.00     Sale $79.20     Case $918

(94 Points) "Big and rich, this red is filled with powerful flavors of blackberry, dark currant, black olive and dark chocolate that are built on an ironclad frame. Notes of cocoa powder and cream chime in as well, and the muscular finish lingers with hints of savory herb. Carmenère, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best from 2014 through 2022."  Wine Spectator

2011 Casa Lapostolle Canto de Apalta Price: $19.50     Sale $17.16     Case $199

Canto de Apalta, born from the harmonious relationship between Carmenère, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah also represents the melodious song of the unique community of birds that live in our vineyards. Canto de Apalta originates from Chile's central semi-arid Rapel Valley. Here, the Pacific’s Humboldt Current keeps the days warm and dry, and the nights pleasantly cool, allowing the grapes to slowly ripen. Slow maturation guarantees that our wine is able to have an expressive nose and a pleasant structure. The grapes are hand-harvested and transported to the winery in temperature-controlled containers. Strict quality control continues at the winery through a state of the art optical berry selector, Vistalys, which chooses only the freshest, cleanest and purest grapes for our wine. No clarification and very light filtration create natural wines that are true expressions of their origin.

2012 Casa Lapostolle Cuvee Alexander Cabernet Sauvignon       Price: $20.25     Sale $17.82     Case $207

A blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Cabernet Franc.   Deep red with dark purple hints.  Dense nose full of black and red fruit aromas such as plums; dry tea leaves and tobacco flavors.  Good tannic structure. Concentrated body with balance and length. Round mid palate with a long lasting finish.

2012 Casa Lapostolle Cuvee Alexander Carmenere                    Price: $20.25     Sale $17.82     Case $207

A blend of 96% Carmenère and 4% Merlot.  Deep inked red purple color.  Expressive and intense nose, ripe black fruit aromas, spicy notes such as black pepper and bitter chocolate. Well integrated oak.  Balanced and elegant. Velvety texture. Medium tannins structure with a round mid palate and a long finish.

2012 Casa Lapostolle Cuvee Alexander Chardonnay                      Price: $20.25     Sale $17.82     Case $207

 Bright yellow with subtle lime notes. Tropical fruit in the nose such as mango, papaya and sweet dry fruit aromas on the back. Very round and elegant mouths feel, with good volume and acidity, followed by a long finish.

2012 Casa Lapostolle Cuvee Alexandre Merlot                                Price: $20.25     Sale $17.82     Case $207

A blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Carmenère.    Intense dark purple color.  Complex and intense nose with red and black fruit such as raspberry and blueberries. Dark plums notes and cacao aromas.  Round. Juicy tannins structure, balance acidity and very persistent finish.

STACOLE TABLE

PULENTA ESTATE CHARDONNAY VIII 2012            Price: $15.00       Sale $13.20          Case $153

Lemon-yellow with bright green hues, aromas mainly tropical fruits typical of a proper fruit maturity, made complex by the chocolate and vanilla notes given by the aging in new French oak.

O FOURNIER CENTAURI RED BLEND 2009               Price: $25.00       Sale $22.00          Case $255

(91 Points) The 2009 Alfa Centauri Red Blend is a blend of 90% Cabernet Franc and 10% Carignan from 60 to 100-year old vines that is aged for 17 months in new French oak barrels. It has an open, mulberry and dark plum scented bouquet that is well defined, generous and enticing with deftly integrated oak. The palate is full-bodied with ripe, bold, sappy tannins intertwined with mulberry and dark plum. The finish is composed and focused with impressive persistency. Drink 2013-2020.

I met Jose Manuel Ortega in the Uco Valley, on the “other” side of the Andes, although his Chilean venture is also proving to be a winner and follows a path similar to his estates there and in Ribera del Duero. The estate offers splendid, high quality, delicious wines at equally splendid prices. Much of the quality has to do with being based in Maule and his access to parcels of old vines, plus sourcing fruit from areas such as Leyda and San Antonio. These wines are all highly recommended.  eRobertParker.com #204, Dec 2012

VISTALBA RED BLEND CORTE C 2012         Price: $16.50       Sale $14.52          Case $169

A blend of 80% Malbec, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon.  Purple colored, it has an expressive nose of cedar, spice box, cassis and black cherry. On the palate it displays elegance, ripe flavors, plenty of spice and good balance.

TAPIZ CABERNET SAUVIGNON ALTA 2011 Price: $19.50       Sale $17.16          Case $199

(91 Points) "Bright ruby-red. Wild, musky aromas of black cherry, crushed blackberry, shoe polish, spices, chocolate and licorice pastille, with a whiff of meaty redution: very Old World. Then fat, ripe and sweet in the mouth, with a sexy leesy complexity to the deep flavors of blackberry, mocha, chocolate, herbs and licorice. Creamy, mouthcoating wine with substantial ripe tannins and lingering notes of cassis, licorice and herbs. Legendary Pomerol winemaker Jean-Claude Berrouet, who made more than 40 vintages at Chateau Petrus, is now involved at Tapiz. An extraordinary value."  International Wine Cellar

TAPIZ MALBEC ALTA 2011             Price: $19.50       Sale $17.16          Case $199

Intense red color with violet hues. Fresh red fruit and spicy floral aromas stand out, accompanied by vanilla and toasted almonds. The palate is fruity, balanced and with good volume. Its sweet tannins give a gentle and persistent finish.

Fincas Tapiz Patagónicas showcases the extraordinary qualities of Argentina with its red wines - Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec- and its white wines Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.  The marriage of Andean Foothill terroir and superb craftsmanship ensures wine that captures the full potential of a truly majestic winegrowing region.

BRAMARE CABERNET SAUVIGNON LUJON DE CUYO 2011             Price: $41.00       Sale $36.08          Case $419

(92 points)  Dark, toasty and jammy, sporting dense wild berry compote, charred apple wood, melted licorice and mocha notes. Big, with a long, broad finish. Drink now through 2018. (11/ 2013) Wine Spectator

TAPIZ MALBEC BLACK TEARS 2009            Price: $50.00       Sale $44.00          Case $510

The Malbec grapes are selected from our San Pablo Single Vineyard located in Uco Valley. The climate and soil of this property give special characteristics from high altitude vineyards (1350 meters above sea level) to this variety differentiating it significantly from other traditional Malbec.

WINEBOW TABLE

LEYDA SAUVIGNON BLANC CLASSIC 2013             Price: $12.00       Sale $10.56          Case $123

Showcasing expressive minerality, the 2013 Sauvignon Blanc is marked by a powerful aromatic intensity and a wide aromatic spectrum, with herbal, citric and tropical notes. It is fresh on the palate, offering a crisp, tangy acidity and a juicy, citric finish.

LEYDA PINOT NOIR LAS BRISAS 2010       Price: $21.00       Sale $18.48          Case $215

Bright and intense in color. Clean and direct fruity nose with red cherries, hints of raspberries and a subtle wild herb note. Delicate and refined on the palate. Juicy with ripe flavors of berries combined with mineral notes and a lively acidity.

TERRANOBLE GRAN RESERVA CARMENERE 2011                Price: $19.50       Sale $17.16          Case $199

(91 Points) "Deep, rich and intense, with good cut to the concentrated cherry tart and dried raspberry flavors. Offers lively minerality midpalate, showing notes of graphite and white pepper. The zesty finish is well-spiced. Drink now through 2020."   Wine Spectator

ENEMIGO EL ENEMIGO MALBEC 2009 Price: $30.00       Sale $26.40          Case $306

This is from two big names in Argentina and there is a touch of Cabernet Franc in the blend.   A good amount of sweet blackberry fruit blueberry and a host of espresso and dark chocolate notes, black licorice spice, graphite.    A big and chewy wine on the tongue with layers of dark berry fruit and pretty violet floral notes along with notes of black licorice and nice freshness a big but balanced wine.  Finish 40+    Excellent

RENACER PUNTO FINAL MALBEC RESERVA 2010 Price: $18.00       Sale $15.84          Case $184

The grapes for the Reserva Malbec are sourced primarily from the higher altitude vineyard sites and from vineyards producing yields of only 2.7 tons per acre. The wine's time spent in French oak during aging provides accentuated balance and flavor elegance.  Deep red in color with intense violet shades. On the nose, a combination of red fruits and toasty notes given by the French oak are evident. In the mouth, the wine is complex and structured with a long aftertaste.

RENACER ENAMORE 2011            Price: $25.50       Sale $22.44          Case $261

100% Appassimento this is a partnership between Allegrini and Renacier, 45% Malbec, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest is Bonarda and Cabernet Franc. This wine has a big bouquet of dark cherry liqueur like fruit, with sweet tobacco spice, light smoke, violet floral notes, sweet balsamic and dark chocolate very big bouquet of aromas. A big and chewy wine on the tongue with some residual but has a nice balance and freshness to the finish, sweet fruit, dark coco spice and at 15% alcohol this wine wears it well the tannins are smooth and silky texture through the finish. Finish 50+ Excellent +

Graziano Wine Imports

Humberto Canale GRAN RESERVA MALBEC 2012 Price: $29.00       Sale $25.52          Case $296

This wine presents an attractive purplish red color, intense and deep. On the nose, the notes of mature prunes and comfiture combine with hints of vanilla and toasted bread thanks to the ageing in oak. It has a good structure in the mouth, long and well rounded, very powerful. It is a big wine, apt to be enjoyed during memorable occasions. Its character makes it the ideal wine to pair with many different types of dishes.

Humberto Canale CABERNET FRANC 2011 Price: $29.00       Sale $25.52          Case $296

The wine boasts a bright ruby color with purple reflections. On the nose, the intense bouquet of ripe red berries combines with hints of spice, jam, honey and vanilla. It is a wine with a good structure, modern and well rounded, with a long and elegant finish

Humberto Canale MALBEC ESTATE 2013 Price: $14.50       Sale $12.76          Case $148

This wine embodies the purest expression of the Patagonic terroir and the Argentine Malbec. It shows off a very refined style, both in the nose and in the mouth. Its careful oak cask ageing gives the wine an ultimate dimension that turns it into an irresistible one. This is a characteristic Malbec varietal, a full body wine, with a complex structure, with surprising notes of red berries eucalyptus spice and black pepper. After a year in the bottle, it becomes more unctuous in character, intense and concentrated.

Humberto Canale INTIMO FAMILY RESERVE 2011 Price: $17.75       Sale $15.62          Case $182

This wine has been crafted as an homage to the creator of the “Intimo” line of wines, Don Manuel Canale. In 1965 when he was the winery’s president, Don Manuel developed the “Intimo” Cabernet, which allowed him to become the utmost example of Patagonian winemaking. This limited edition wine starts with the careful selection of grapes produced in 70-year old vineyards. The careful crafting of the wine is finalized with oak ageing in new French and Central European casks for 12 months. The result is a great wine, complex and elegant. Intense garnet color, with purple nuances. On the nose, the ripe red berry notes complement subtle hints of vanilla and coconut, thanks to the careful oak ageing.  The taste shows a good full body and balance, with berry jam notes.  It is a well structured wine, with a complex and long finish.

Vine Pro

Colonia Las Liebres Bonarda 2012 Price: $17.00       Sale $14.96          Case $174

This is from the folks at Altos de los Hormigas has a good amount of dark berry fruit with fresh plowed dark earth and an almost dolcetto like aroma, coffee. A good amount of dark berry and plum like fruit on the palate with fine tannins and notes of dark coco and mocha through the finish, very pleasant and opens up nicely on the second day. Finish 35+ Very Good

Nicasio Bonarda 2011 Price: $33.00       Sale $29.04          Case $337

Intense purple with red shades and strong liveliness Aromas of blackberries and red currants, oak with vanilla and cinnamon notes.    Concentrated, round and balanced with sweet tannins in the aftertaste

Menu:

Selection of Cheese:  Hard Cheddar, Reggiano Parmesan and Beemster Gouda

Skirt steak with Chimichurri and Mole Sauce, Argentinian Sausage, chicken and chorizo

Grilled Vegetable scures drizzled with herb infused olive oil

The fee for this tasting is $45 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463.

What I Drank Yesterday:  Cliff Lede

This tasting was another in the line of events that we host in efforts to help our wine drinking people drink their wines.  All of these wines are from one collector’s cellar and this guy may not have enough time to drink everything in his collection so we are trying to help.  How many other wine shops in the world offer this service?  We will even come to your home to help you drink your wines- whatever it takes to make sure that you are drinking the good stuff first!!

Cliff Lede winery is a poster child for how you start a new cult wine in Napa Valley.  First you buy some expensive vineyards.  Then you hire someone like David Abreu to plant the vineyards.  And finally hire a consulting winemaker like Michele Rolland to help make the wines.

Cliff Lede is one of the most exciting new projects to come out of Napa Valley in the first part of the 21st century.  Most of the wines that we drank this evening were only available on the mailing list, so this was another "Once in a Lifetime" Wine Watch event!!

Established in 2002, Cliff Lede Vineyards encompasses sixty acres in the famed Stags Leap District.

Owner Cliff Lede, Vineyard Architect David Abreu and Winemaker Chris Tynan have come together to form an unrivalled team, making the most of this remarkable property.

Completed in 2005, the gravity-flow winery boasts a berry-by-berry sorting system and conical tanks commissioned using a design inspired by the tanks of Château Latour. One tank per vineyard block ensures each lot evolves at its own pace and acres of caves with single-layer barrel storage ensure access to each barrel at all times. No corner has been cut.

The winery produces Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon. The flagship, Poetry Cabernet Sauvignon, is crafted from the steep hillside portion of the estate. The land, the talent, the tools and the passion: Cliff Lede Vineyards, a notable addition to the Stags Leap District.

Thank you Warren for sharing one of your favorite wineries with us!! We wish you a speedy recovery and are ready to host another Cliff Lede event as soon as you are better.

2011 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Moondance Dream              

Small percentages of Petit Verdot, Malbec, and Merlot from our Twin Peaks estate harmonize with the Cabernet to add nuance and aromatic lift.  A good amount of sweet currant and cassis berry fruit with sweet tobacco spice, espresso and dark chocolate.  A very fruit forward effort with smooth silky tannins very forward and approachable drinking very nicely right now for such a youngster.  Finish 45+           Excellent                             

2009 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond Mountain              

A blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 1% Merlot, this wine has a very distinct bouquet of fresh rocky mineral notes, dark spices, cinnamon, nutmeg with currant and cassis berry fruit.                

                                2009 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain 

A blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 1% Merlot, notes of dark spices, tar and espresso with dark currant and dark cherry fruit on the nose nice intensity here, hints of dark chocolate.

                                                2010 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Landslide Fire         

This wine has a very dark earth and loamy notes to the dark currant and cassis berry fruit, bitter coco and some fresh earth.  On the tongue this wine has ripe round tannins, a very lush mouth feel and a long layered finish.             

                                2009 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Cinnamon Rhapsody            

The blend is 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot, 1% Malbec and 1% Merlot.  Philippe Melka was the consulting winemaker for this vintage.  A beautiful bouquet of dark currant and dark cherry fruit with notes of sweet tobacco and dark chocolate spice, very complex bouquet.  Rich currant and cassis berry fruit on the tongue with ripe round tannins, very drinkable with notes of spice, big but has nice balance, should last for a few decades in your cellar.                                               2007 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Imagine Rhapsody                

A blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Malbec, and nearly equal portions of Merlot and Cabernet Franc with a dollop of Petit Verdot included.  A good amount of fresh earth here with sweet herbs, dark chocolate and still has a good amount of dark cherry liqueur like fruit on the nose.  Big and chewy with layers of fruit and a long balanced finish. 

                                2010 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Poetry        

The blend is 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 1% Malbec. A very pretty bouquet of sweet herbs and flowers with dark chocolate, mocha and a good amount of dark cherry liqueur like fruit and espresso like notes.  Thick and chewy on the tongue this is a cooler year and you see the bright acidity through the finish.  This wine needs some time but has all the right stuff in proportion, just needs time.  Most Excellent

                                2009 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Poetry        

The blend is 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, 9% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 2% Malbec.  These Poetry wines all show a similar quality to them, they are well built and have wonderful concentration and depth of flavors this is one of Napa’s wineries to watch!!                                 2008 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Poetry        

A composed of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc and the rest Merlot, Petit Verdot and a tiny bit of Malbec.  A good amount of dark currant and cassis berry fruit on the nose with crushed rocks this wine is showing very nicely right now, but has excellent structure and depth of fruit, the tannins are ripe and round, a very long layered finish.  Finish 50+  Most Excellent   This wine was the crowd favorite and although all the Poetry wines showed the pedigree of a top level Napa Valley blend