2017 Cliff Lede Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley

Iconic Cliff Lede Sauvignon Blanc

When a 100-point winemaker makes a $22 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc, you pay close attention. When that same $22 wine has “Cliff Lede” on the label, you stop scrolling through Facebook (or wherever you are online) and calculate how many bottles you’ll need for yourself, and for entertaining. The 2017 Cliff Lede Sauvignon Blanc is a rare gem, flaunting both tremendous pedigree and a bargain price tag.

We’ve had the pleasure of tasting it with Jason Lede, owner Cliff Lede’s son, multiple times, and it never disappoints. This is a vibrant and elegant Sauvignon Blanc, generously offering up ripe tropical and citrus fruits—guava, Meyer lemon, ruby grapefruit, and kumquat—with secondary flavors of pie crust, coconut, and honeyed quince adding complexity and depth. Star winemaker Chris Tynan, who’s 100-point resume boasts a stint at Colgin Cellars, drew fruit from several historic vineyards and employed three aging methods—French oak barrels, stainless steel tanks, and concrete eggs—to craft the 2017 Sauvignon Blanc. It’s liveliness, length, and rich, full-bodied texture reflects all of this, but not the $22 dollar price tag. Just 56 cases—don’t miss this one.

When owner Cliff Lede founded his eponymous winery in 2002, his vision included pulling out all the stops and attending to every little detail in order to make the most from the extraordinary 60-acre estate. His search for excellence eventually lead him to winemaker Chris Tynan, who met Lede through the legendary viticulturist David Abreu.

At the time, Tynan was working as assistant winemaker at Colgin Cellars where he contributed to a slew of 100-point wines. In 2012, Tynan came on board at Cliff Lede, bringing the expansive knowledge and deft touch learned at Colgin, as well the experience gained from starting his own label, Chris Tynan Wines, under which he crafted the 100-point Meleagris Gallopavo Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. Tynan has continued the 100-point trend at Cliff Lede in addition to producing countless wines rated 96-99 points by Robert Parker.

Tynan once again showed his flair and know-how in making the 2017 Sauvignon Blanc. He drew Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Sauvignon Vert from old-vine vineyards in Rutherford, Calistoga, and cool-climate Chiles Valley, harvesting the fruit under cover of darkness to preserve freshness and acidity. After seamlessly blending the lots, Tynan aged the wine in 58% French oak, 37% steel tanks, and 5% concrete eggs, allowing for a subtle mixture of oak influenced flavors with pure fruit notes. We absolutely love the result and you will too—if you’re quick enough to get your hands on any of our 56 cases.

• Fruit Intensity
• Oak Intensity
• Body
• Sweetness
• Acidity

• ABV 14.60%
• Enjoy right away
• Drink Up
• % Sauvignon Blanc
• Serving temperature – 48°
• Cork