2017 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District
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A year in, year out value, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon is a winner in 2017, giving up loads of sweet fruit and medium to full-bodied richness as well as textbook notes of sweet cassis, cedary spice, dried flowers, and earth. It's complex, beautifully balanced, and a terrific wine. This is a sure bet in the vintage that will keep for a solid 15-20 years.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
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The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon (Stags Leap District) shows off the more extroverted side of the year to great effect. Inky dark fruit, chocolate, leather, lavender, spice, menthol and cloves are all amped up. The 2017 is a rich, explosive wine built on flamboyance and volume. This large-scaled, potent Cabernet Sauvignon has a ton to offer. Best of all, with a case production of over 5,500, it will be relatively easy to find, and is just as nearly as exceptional as the flagship bottlings in this range. In a word: superb.
Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District leaps from the glass with notions of baked black plums, black forest cake and raspberry coulis with hints of cracked black pepper, hoisin, sautéed herbs and charcuterie. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is filled with juicy baked berries and plum preserves notions, framed by gently played, soft tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing on a spicy note.