Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District Poetry 2021

100 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (The Wine Independent): "The 2021 Poetry Cabernet Sauvignon, made from 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot, is deep garnet-purple in color. The nose is incredibly shut down at this stage, needing patient swirling to unlock expressive notes of Morello cherries, black raspberries, blackcurrant cordial, and redcurrant jelly giving way to hints of violets, charcoal, crushed rocks, and underbrush with a gust of garrigue. The medium-bodied palate is so tightly wound at this youthful stage, slowly revealing layer upon layer of fragrant black and red fruits with loads of mineral sparks, supported by beautifully fine-grained yet firm tannins and seamless acidity, finishing with epic length and a whole firework display of mineral and floral notes. This is gorgeous. 1,921 cases were made. "All the fruit was so great in 2021, the pressure was on not to screw it up! There was no need to try to gussy it up or anything." Drink 2027-2060 (Oct 2023)"

99 points Decanter: "Cliff Lede's 2021 Poetry is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon with 6% each of Merlot and Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot, aged 21 months in 74% new oak and sourced entirely from their impressively steep Poetry estate hillside vineyard in the Stags Leap District AVA. The 2021 release of this now-iconic blend proves Poetry is one of Napa Valley's genuine ‘grand cru’ sites. A super-expressive, gorgeously fragrant nose kicks off with mineral qualities like a rush of rocky graphite, blue slate, and crushed stones, coupled with terrifically pure black cherry and black currant fruit laced with tobacco and violet petals. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, the silken, supple quality of the fruit is immediately noticeable—matched by the ripe, silky, and seamless tannins that are present but perfectly integrated. The fruit qualities build with incredible depth and delineation, with currant flavours building until they release on a lengthy finish punctuated by chalky minerals, crisp acidity, and dried floral notes infused with sage and tobacco leaf. Long, pure, laser-focused, and built of the ages. Drinking window 2025-2045 (Mar 2024)"

98 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Poetry is one of the very finest wines I have ever tasted from Cliff Lede and longtime winemaker Chris Tynan. A classic Stags Leap Cabernet, the 2021 races across the palate with dense, inky fruit, crème de cassis, lavender, licorice, chocolate, spice and espresso. Even with all of its natural density, the 2021 is plush, silky and exceptionally beautiful. Most importantly, Tynan has done an admirable job in taming the tannins in this steep, rocky site, which is an impressive feat. I loved it. Drink 2025-2036 (Dec 2023)"

96 points Wine Enthusiast: "This well-balanced and elegant wine shows beautifully integrated black fruits, oak spices and hints of mint and cedar in the aroma, with similarly delicious flavors wrapped in fine-grained tannins for a velvety texture. Blended with small percentages of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it offers finesse and complexity. Best from 2025–2035. (Apr 2024)"