2012 Cliff Lede Poetry Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap Diststric

The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Poetry (89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot) is indeed worthy of its name. Bottled perfection, it is an extraordinary Cabernet Sauvignon offering floral, blackcurrant, boysenberry and hints of oak, forest floor and graphite notes, a full-bodied mouthfeel, and an exuberance, freshness and delineation that are remarkable. This amazing effort is the quintessential Stags Leap Cabernet Sauvignon that is Napa Valley’s version of Château Margaux. The finish just won’t quit. Kudos to proprietor Cliff Lede. This cuvée needs 3-4 years of aging, and should keep for 20-25.

The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Poetry is all about density and pure power. Rich, dark and voluptuous on the palate, the 2012 is the most intense of the Lede 2012 Cabernets. This explosive, full-bodied Cabernet is going to need a year or two to settle down, but it appears to have a bright future. (AG) 92+

The clear highlight among the 2012s I tasted, the Cabernet Sauvignon Poetry is the wine where it all comes together for Cliff Lede. Rich, sumptuous and beautifully layered, the Poetry dazzles from start to finish. Blue/black fruit, violets, cloves, white pepper and truffle all meld together in an impeccable, drop-dead gorgeous Cabernet Sauvignon. There is virtually no sensation of tannin or French oak in this voluptuous, full-bodied wine. An intense, palate-staining finish rounds things out in style. These wines were replanted in 2005 and 2008, so the best is probably yet to come.