Dark inky purple garnet colored, medium-full bodied, smooth, polished and nicely balanced black berry and plum fruits with notes of graphite, mocha, expresso, anise, spice and black tea with earthy floral on an elegant soft tannin finish. https://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2023/04/family-birthday-dinner-at-son-ryans.html
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Blackberry & Blueberry with hints of Black Tea & leathery earthy notes. Subtle touch of oak. Good balance with firm tannins that softened after a 2 hr. decant. Good Bordeaux blend at a reasonable price, went well with rack of lamb
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I really like this wine. Has a gravelly element to it which makes sense given it is a “right bank inspired wine.” It is hard to describe exactly but it does leave a little bit on the table with regards to well rounded finish which Keeps it from being exceptional but it’s a great wine for the price and I will continue drink happily now and in the near future.
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Purple color. Red and blue fruit both on the nose and palate. Cab franc is unmistakable giving a spiciness to the wine. Tannins present, but not crazy.
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Cliff Lede Winery Tasting: I've been a fan of High Fidelity in other vintages, but this year's feels a bit thin to me, like the 48% cab franc was an attempt to compensate for a less than stellar merlot (down to 43%). As usual, the 2017 has deep purple color, dark fruits, coffee grinds, multi-layered spices and minerals, a backbone of cabernet (9%), and plenty of acid for aging. Normally I'd suggest 7-12 years in the cellar for Cliff Lede's Right Bank-inspired blend: this time, I'm not sure there will be much upside to holding beyond 2022 or 2023, though it will certainly drink nicely for much longer.
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This is way too young as is normally the case with better Cliff Lede wines upon release. Wanted to try anyway. Didn't really open up on day #1 even with 6 hours in the decanter. Blossomed on day#2 (just recorked the bottle and left on counter overnight. Massive body (lots of talc and minerals), dry, dark merlot fruit with dark chocolate, earth, graphite. Big structure with fine, dusty tannins and big finish. Nose is not very giving. Reminded me in style of tastings of 2017 Roy Piper and MacDonald. Pretty excited to see where this goes.
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5/25/2024 - Rossdhu House Likes this wine: 90 Points
Very nice nap before Cab. PNP, tasting really well now. All over the next hour. Drink up.
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8/31/2023 - leachriscellar Likes this wine: 91 Points
Great layering of stone fruit, cassis, and currant. managed to save some for this evening…
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4/27/2023 - rmcnees wrote: 92 Points
Dark inky purple garnet colored, medium-full bodied, smooth, polished and nicely balanced black berry and plum fruits with notes of graphite, mocha, expresso, anise, spice and black tea with earthy floral on an elegant soft tannin finish.
https://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2023/04/family-birthday-dinner-at-son-ryans.html
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2/4/2023 - pommieba@cox.net Likes this wine: 90 Points
Blackberry & Blueberry with hints of Black Tea & leathery earthy notes. Subtle touch of oak. Good balance with firm tannins that softened after a 2 hr. decant. Good Bordeaux blend at a reasonable price, went well with rack of lamb
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5/14/2022 - Tpdodger Likes this wine: 92 Points
I really like this wine. Has a gravelly element to it which makes sense given it is a “right bank inspired wine.” It is hard to describe exactly but it does leave a little bit on the table with regards to well rounded finish which Keeps it from being exceptional but it’s a great wine for the price and I will continue drink happily now and in the near future.
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12/12/2021 - ewasowicz wrote: 91 Points
Very light for a Cliff Lede blend. It’s missing something. Good but not a good value.
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9/19/2021 - soyhead wrote:
nose - oak
mouth - dark fruited, lots of coffee, very dry, more confected than fresh. I much preferred the Dancing Heart Cab
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8/23/2021 - boozebythecreek Likes this wine:
Purple color. Red and blue fruit both on the nose and palate. Cab franc is unmistakable giving a spiciness to the wine. Tannins present, but not crazy.
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2/3/2021 - rkww Likes this wine: 91 Points
Cliff Lede Winery Tasting: I've been a fan of High Fidelity in other vintages, but this year's feels a bit thin to me, like the 48% cab franc was an attempt to compensate for a less than stellar merlot (down to 43%). As usual, the 2017 has deep purple color, dark fruits, coffee grinds, multi-layered spices and minerals, a backbone of cabernet (9%), and plenty of acid for aging. Normally I'd suggest 7-12 years in the cellar for Cliff Lede's Right Bank-inspired blend: this time, I'm not sure there will be much upside to holding beyond 2022 or 2023, though it will certainly drink nicely for much longer.
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2/17/2020 - iamandyc Likes this wine: 93 Points
This is way too young as is normally the case with better Cliff Lede wines upon release. Wanted to try anyway. Didn't really open up on day #1 even with 6 hours in the decanter. Blossomed on day#2 (just recorked the bottle and left on counter overnight. Massive body (lots of talc and minerals), dry, dark merlot fruit with dark chocolate, earth, graphite. Big structure with fine, dusty tannins and big finish. Nose is not very giving. Reminded me in style of tastings of 2017 Roy Piper and MacDonald. Pretty excited to see where this goes.
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