Cliff Lede, SongBook Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

Excellent and complex cabernet blend, lots of dark fruit, opens up in 30 minutes and great structure once it opens. Tremendous tannin balance, very long finish.

I could cut and paste most of my tasting notes for the 2019 Songbook and place them along with the beautiful 2018, with the exception of the slightly dialed-back ostentatiousness displayed with the 2018 when compared to the relatively more flamboyant 2019. The dark, black, and deep flavor profile on the 2018 is like melted licorice on the palate, with rich soil and black cacao elements that ring-around-the-rosie with a pocket full of ripe black raspberries, blackberries, black and red …