The SOMM Journal

June / July 2018

Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/992999

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 114 of 132

98 { THE SOMM JOURNAL } JUNE/JULY 2018 Another dominant theme at camp will likely center around the appel- lation's major geological influences. Aside from its world-class Cabernet Sauvignon, SLD is best known for a rocky outcropping in the Vaca moun - tain range known as the Palisades; its dramatic image is associated, of course, with the eponymous stag escaping a hunter by leaping over the jagged rocks. "Our Poetry Vineyard is nestled into this rock outcrop and we are fortunate that this vineyard produces wines that are quintessential Stags Leap," Cohen says. "The west-facing rocky façade of the Palisades radiates warmth into the District from the abundant sunshine reflecting on it, producing wines that are ripe and voluptuous." The dual influence of the Palisades and its close proximity to San Pablo Bay create the bulk of the SLD's geological influences. Cool air from the bay fun - nels through the SLD corridor's green, rolling hills, which serve as the home of Cliff Lede's Twin Peaks Vineyard. Ac- cording to Cohen, "this creates a funnel against the façade of the Palisades to draw in cool marine air at night." "The cooler air lowers temperatures in the late afternoon and night so dramatically that we have a very large temperature fluctuation from the afternoon highs to the nighttime lows," she adds. This climate is conducive to acid retention during berry development, which Cohen says creates wines "with elegance, vibrancy, structure, and longevity." "At Cliff Lede Vineyards, we like to produce wines that are opulent and reflect the abundant sunshine and warmth of the District, yet have an unmistakable sense of place with min - erality from the volcanic hillsides as well as ageworthiness indicative of our cool nights," she explains. Stags Leap District AVA Breakdown Roughly 3 miles long and 1 mile wide, the SLD is the smallest AVA in Napa Valley. Roughly 90 percent of grapes planted in SLD are Cabernet Sauvignon or Bordeaux varieties. Only about half of the 2,700-acre District is under vine. Established in 1989, SLD was the first AVA in the U.S. to be approved based on its soil profile. At the famous Judgement of Paris in 1976, first place was awarded to the Stag's Leap Wine Cellars 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon. The two dominant soil profiles of the SLD AVA are: volcanic, found in the eastern elevation; and river sediment, a blend of loams with clay substruc - ture found in the lowland area. SLD experiences a longer growing season due to the cool marine airflow from the San Pablo Bay. The west-facing rocky façade of the Palisades: a natural symbol of the Stags Leap District AVA.

Articles in this issue

Archives of this issue

view archives of The SOMM Journal - June / July 2018