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While expressing the exceptional character of our own vineyards in the Stags Leap District is our central passion, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to work with such a venerable fruit source. This single-vineyard offering was sourced from land that was originally planted to grapes in 1859 by viticulture pioneer Dr. George Belden Crane. Made with the same meticulous winemaking methods as our estate wines, this Cabernet has an unmistakable sense of place.

Driven by Cabernet, the blend includes three more of the five red Bordeaux grapes. Each of the blending grapes contributes to the final wine; Merlot adds richness and weight, Cabernet Franc contributes aromatics, and the Malbec intensifies color and spiciness. This is an aromatic wine. When decanting (which we suggest for our young red wines) the whole room fills with aromas of Bing cherry, clove and grilled brioche. A full and rich wine on the palate, flavors of huckleberry, cassis and vanilla carry through to a persistent finish.

The 2002 vintage represents the first Chardonnay release under the Cliff Lede label. Aromas of pear and melon entice you into the glass where you are treated to an array of flavors ranging from apricot and Fuji apple to the tropical realm of mango and banana. Limited malolactic fermentation enhances the crispness and zest of this barrel fermented treat for the senses. Serve chilled and enjoy on its own or with your favorite grilled seafood.

Our Claret is blended with ready enjoyment in mind, yet with the balance, texture and complexity to satisfy the discriminating. Merlot forms the core of the blend, highlighting sweet fruit on the palate and great richness. Cabernet Sauvignon supplies the distinctive aromas of rich plum fruit, cherry cola and fresh tobacco while retaining its Stags Leap District silkiness. The dollop of Cabernet Franc lifts the aroma with its characteristic floral notes. Certainly ready to drink now, splashing this wine into a decanter will even increase its accessibility.

This one-hundred percent Merlot wine is offered as a pure expression of the grape’s potential. Sourced from our Stags Leap District vineyards, we knew we could count on the fruit component of the wine. Our efforts in the cellar centered on accentuating concentration and tannins while being careful not to blur the wine’s sense of place. The result is a bottling marked by a deep core of red stone fruit, baking spices and a touch of oak-inspired sweet mocha. These flavors are delivered in a wine of poise and persistence.

This is an intensely flavored, richly complex, velvety smooth, irresistibly drinkable example of the Merlot varietal. The bouquet is filled with luscious berry fruit and nutmeg. The fruit shows up vibrantly but smoothly on the palate, joined by notes of chocolate and hints of minerals, cocoa, and tea.

The 2003 Cliff Lede Vineyards Pinot Noir displays concentrated aromas of plum blossom, cola, sweet ripe strawberries, and sagebrush. The mouth opens with just a hint of lavender and honeysuckle, quickly leading to a delicate and balanced palate of lush red fruits, oolong tea leaf and a lingering sensuous richness. This unfined and unfiltered Pinot displays surprising density while retaining balance and finesse. This wine displays an impressive sense of place from one of the finest microclimates in the Carneros Appellation.

Supple, smooth and complex, this lush Pinot Noir is an elegant expression of two excellent mature vineyards in Carneros. The aroma weaves together earth, cedar, and minerals with ripe red fruit and dried apricot. The palate explodes with sappy black cherry flavors laced with orange blossom, hay, cola and morels spiced with nutmeg and clove. The texture is silky and rich but not weighty. Balanced now, it will continue to develop in the cellar. The wine retains a natural haze thanks to minimal handling and the absence of filtration. Serve as a beautiful match for roast duck, roast pork with figs and apricots, or poached salmon.

This all Sauvignon, no oak offering is a leap forward in quality for us. The wine has all the vibrant citrus fruit and refreshing crispness you expect from the varietal, but it boasts an uncommon measure of richness and weight. Intense aromas of white peach, apricots, lemongrass and acacia flowers come out of the glass. Initial flavors of grapefruit and passion fruit burst forth upon the palate followed by a pleasantly unctuous mid-palate which is punctuated by a clean, refreshing finish.

Laced with smoke and spices, the animal nature of Syrah is tempered in this cuvee by the brightness of Viognier. The aromas of clove, cinnamon stick and nutmeg fill the bouquet, while flavors of blackberry liquor and candied orange peel entrance the palate. The wine is robust with firmly structured tannins balanced by plentiful juicy black fruit. Certainly ready to drink now, it is to be paired with equally robust food: red meat, barbeque, or pizza.

This big, powerful yet velvety-smooth wine presents a fragrant nose bursting with blackberry and cherry liquor and enlivened by notes of allspice, clove and star anise. On the palate it offers a voluptuous, viscous, exceptionally smooth interplay of spicy black fruit joined by red currant and blueberry. The fruit and spice carry through a soft, lingering finish enhanced by refined cocoa tannins.