Wine reviews
This 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard is made from clone 6. It is worth noting that some of the 2016s seem to shut down and need a fair bit of coaxing to look at right now. This is one well-worth giving some air! Deep garnet-purple in color, after a fair bit of swirling the glass suddenly explodes with a black fruit bomb of cassis, blackberry pie and boysenberries plus suggestions of licorice, candied violets, dark chocolate and menthol plus nuances of charcuterie and crushed rocks. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has fantastic finesse, with loads of tightly wound fruit layers and a firm structure of super ripe, fine-grained tannins, gently lifted with seamless freshness, finishing with epic length and on a lingering mineral note. – LPB
The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon (all clone 6) aged 22 months in 100% new French oak. Very deep garnet-black in color, it's powerfully scented of blackcurrant cordial, Black Forest cake, plum preserves and dark chocolate with touches of cigar box, pencil lead, cast iron pan and smoked meats. Big, concentrated and oh-so-sexy, this wine completely fills the palate with black fruit layers, finishing long and decadent. – LPB
Pure perfection in Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Dr. Crane Vineyard offers more power and richness as well as a huge nose of blackcurrants, tobacco leaf, gravelly earth, violets, and cassis. A wine that blends power and elegance, it has a deep, multi-dimensional texture, building tannins, an incredible seamlessness, and a finish that won’t quit. I always find an earthy, Graves-like character from this vineyard, and this beauty has it in spades. Aged 24 months in new barrels, Napa Valley Cabernet doesn’t get any better, and this incredible wine can be drunk today or cellared for 2-3 decades. Hats off to winemaker Sam Kaplan. Both of these 2016s are heavenly wines. – JD