Cliff Lede - Rhythm Stages Leap Cab Sauv 2022 (750ml)
Price: $129.99
| Producer | Cliff Lede |
| Country | United States |
| Varietal | Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Vintage | 2022 |
| Sku | 204978 |
| Size | 750ml |
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The triumphal 2022 Rhythm exudes class and sophistication right out of the glass, flaunting its Stags Leap District breeding and balanced perfection with confidence. There are gorgeous black currants, kirsch, pain grille, cigar wrapper, and pencil shavings on the nose, with loamy rocky aromas intertwined with sandalwood and mint. Fresh and balanced with no heaviness, the chocolatey and cassis flavors linger with a fine density along the medium-long finish.
Cliff Lede Description
Vintage Warm temperatures in February and March jumpstarted an early 2022 growing season. Early budbreak often comes with the vulnerability to frost, but luckily our vines suffered no damage during the cool spring nights. Early irrigations were necessary to set up healthy canopies and the vines set an average crop after an uneventful bloom period. The uniform and even clusters needed little thinning, and attention was paid to sculpting the shoots and laterals to ensure adequate shading and airflow throughout the fruiting positions. Late August was hot, and September was forecasted to be even hotter, so we began picking in rapid succession before the heat to preserve the fresh acidities and delicate aromatics already present in the grapes. Vineyards The Rhythm Vineyard is located on the subtle slopes of our Stags Leap District estate. Defined by two large hills at its southern border, this vineyard surrounds our winery and reaches west toward the Napa River. The Rhythm Vineyard’s soil is composed of gravelly loam of varying depths and rock content. The incredibly diverse soil profile enables us to farm several small blocks of Cabernet Sauvignon and additional Bordeaux varieties with unique combinations of clonal selections and rootstocks. Winemaking In the cool darkness of night, grapes were hand-picked into small twenty-five pound bins to minimize crushing. By early morning, the grapes were subjected to rigorous selection by our three-tiered sorting process which includes our cutting-edge optical sorter, and a slow, individual berry hand sort. The fruit was gently gravitydelivered to small tanks by our unique crane system which kept the berries intact. Cold soaks lasted from five to eight days, and fermentations were managed through a combination of pump overs and délestage. Extended maceration of up to six weeks ensured exceptional extraction and fine-tuning of tannin profiles. This wine underwent twenty-one months of élevage in French oak barrels, 86% of which were new.
Vinous: 96 Points
James Suckling: 95 Points
“Only the second vintage of this new wine made from grapes grown on Cliff Lede’s valley floor vineyard. Concentrated and elegant, with both red and black fruit, a linear feel to the texture and good, fine-grained tannins to back it up. Also iron, cocoa and graphite come out in the glass. Great balance, a medium to full body and an appetizing sense of subtlety and restraint. Drink now or hold.”
Wine Enthusiast: 95 Points
95 points Rich, powerful, with a bounty of flavor, this Cabernet Sauvignon fills the mouth with dark fruits, espresso, cocoa, and a sprinkle of sweetened spices. Decant, or hold in cellar for additional aging. — Elaine Chukan Brown
