Dinner tonight has potential to be an homage to wineries in need of support during these challenging times. I invite you to join me in assisting winemakers, grape growers, wineries, restaurants and local businesses navigating circumstances, many of which are beyond their control. Since March of this year, I’ve ramped up my efforts to frequent neighborhood restaurants by dining in or carrying out, visiting farmers markets, and purchasing and suggesting wines from wineries located in regions hit hard with difficulties.
My latest wine recommendation is from Napa Valley, still reeling from recent wildfires. Sent as a sample, 2019 Cliff Lede Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley (at an incredibly reasonable price of $28) is a wine I’ll purchase over and over again, either online or when I visit the winery… it’s just that exceptional. Why? The blend of 85% Sauvignon Blanc, 12% Semillon and 4% Sauvignon Vert is one of my favorites. Fermented in French oak barrels, stainless steel tanks and concrete eggs at cold temperatures to preserve the freshness of the fruit, then aged on its lees with daily or weekly bâtonnage (stirring the lees back into the wine), I discovered an elegant, flavorful wine that was a brilliant complement to a weeknight dinner of Shrimp with Tomatoes and Pesto.
Cliff Lede Vineyards was established in 2002 by Canadian born Bordeaux enthusiast, Cliff Lede, following the acquisition of a sixty-acre estate in the Stags Leap District of Napa Valley. With a focus on producing wines from estate vineyards, Lede tapped David Abreu, considered the best viticulturist in Napa Valley, to replant the vineyards. Lede decided to name each vineyard block after some of his favorite rock songs and albums—from “My Generation” to “Dark Side of the Moon,” creating what is known today as the Cliff Lede Vineyards “Rock Blocks.”
In 2005, a state of the art, 25,000 square foot winery and cave system was etched into a hillside overlooking the estate vineyards. Not only did Cliff create a beautiful property, he also assembled an unrivaled team that shares his passion for quality. Today, Winemaker Christopher Tynan crafts Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc, with the flagship, Poetry Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from the steep eastern hillside portion of the estate. In 2015, Cliff Lede Vineyards achieved both Napa Green Land and Napa Green Winery certification. Cliff Lede Vineyards
Photo Credit: Cliff Lede Vineyards
The 2019 vintage in Napa Valley was outstanding and the Cliff Lede Sauvignon Blanc proves it. Balanced and structured, I found aromas of lemon, lime zest, drizzles of honey, dried apricot, fresh pineapple, juicy pears and white flowers. The rich palate burst with vibrant acidity and intense notes of wet chalk, stone fruit, citrus, melon, green tea and mint. The finish lingered…
Because of the blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Sauvignon Gris and the fact that oak barrels were involved in the fermentation process, I considered grilled salmon, fried scallops, chicken or veal with a creamy sauce or a favorite pasta dishes with vegetables in a rich buttery sauce for pairing. Each suggestion would have been memorable.
My choice with 2019 Cliff Lede Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, though, was a best-loved recipe for Shrimp with Tomatoes and Pesto. Cooked in a large skillet and served over a nest of spinach linguine al dente, the creamy textures of the pasta and sauce and the bright, snappy flavors of tomatoes, basil and shrimp complimented the broad, complex profile of this beautiful wine from Napa Valley, a region that deserves and needs our support. You may purchase the wine via Cliff Lede’s website by clicking here. Enjoy!
Cheers! ~ Cindy
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NOTE: Please support those in need by purchasing wines from California online or in person during your next visit. Likewise, if you’d like more information and/or to donate to the California Fire Foundation, click here. The Foundation “provides emotional and financial support to firefighters, their families and the communities they serve. The non-profit also administers the Supplying Aid to Victims of Emergence (SAVE) program which provides immediate, yet short-term relief to victims of wildfires and other natural disasters in California.” Thank you. C.
Monocasta