Wine reviews
Unquestionably my favorite of the three 2014 releases, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane has a Graves-like minerality as well as utterly profound notes of blackcurrants, tobacco leaves, smoked cigars, saddle leather and hints of asphalt. Ripe, full-bodied, opulent and layered on the palate, with a heavenly texture, this beauty is a tour de force in Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon that I’d put up against anything out there. It’s incredibly today, yet has three decades of longevity in front of it. – JD
The profound 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard (15.1% alcohol) is another La Mission Haut Brion lookalike. Rich, with notes of charcoal embers, barbecue smoke, blueberry and blackberry liqueur, violets and a touch of wood spice, it is full-bodied, powerful, concentrated, layered and impressive. Drink it over the next 25-30 years..-RP Like the wines themselves, larger-than-life Frenchman Jean Hoefliger is the winemaking consultant behind the small quantities of The Debate, where he has partnered with Rob McKay. After the incredibly successful 2013s, Hoefliger has followed up with equally fine 2014s, which are nearly as concentrated as the 2013s, slightly less structured, but for most consumers, more delicious and fruit forward, although several of these wines would certainly merit some bottle age to shed tannin. These are very impressive wines from consultant Jean Hoefliger and his partner, Rob McKay