Napa Valley

Medium

Natural Cork

White

In 2016 and 2018, Cliff Lede produced this reserve-level Sauvignon Blanc named Marla, after Lede's daughter. It was never released. With the 2021 vintage, they decided to make a limited run for consumers. Winemaker Christopher Tynan sources Sémillon from a site near Eisele Vineyard in Calistoga. The vines are original 1970s plantings, producing small yields and adding old vine character of richness and freshness, blended with Sauvignon Musqué from a site in Carneros and Sauvignon Blanc from the estate Rhythm Vineyard in Stags Leap District (its many blocks are named for famous songs -- and this comes from the Hey Jude block) which is pure gravel, at the base of the hillside near the winery—aged in 100% new French oak Burgundy barrels with light toast. Super aromatic with white flowers, salty minerals with ripe lemon peel and a touch of honeycomb and nougat. The palate has a fantastic richness from the Sémillon, a wonderfully warm and fat mid-palate with all those bright aromatics making a show in deep layers, intermixed with a panoply of spicy wild herbs and balanced by fantastically racy acid tension. The acidity sings through an elongated finish as more flamed citrus peel fruit laced with saline minerals entices and adds layers of complexity. A really fine showing and absolutely one to the cellar. 90 cases produced.

Sauvignon Blanc

Sémillon

Cliff Lede, Marla, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2022

OUTSHINERY-CliffLede-Marla-Blanc-2022-HJEIZB.jpg

In 2016 and 2018, Cliff Lede produced this reserve-level Sauvignon Blanc named Marla, after Lede's daughter. It was never releas

Cliff Lede, Marla, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2022

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