Wine reviews
The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Vineyard exhibits more chocolate, graphite, forest floor and earthy notes as well as plenty of blackberry and cassis fruit, a full-bodied mouthfeel, striking intensity, and a profound, majestic, skyscraper-like mouthfeel. It is another remarkable effort from this Beckstoffer-owned vineyard. Just so you know, if Andy Beckstoffer does make Forbes’ billionaire list, he will have made it the hard way – he will have earned it. Look for this distinctive, earthy, Graves-like Missouri Hopper to age well for 15+ years. It is interesting to note on the back labels of these wines that alcohol levels range from 14.8% for the Dr. Crane, 15.1% for the Missouri Hopper, and a whopping 15.9% for the To Kalon. These are three great first-growth vineyards from Andy Beckstoffer. The To Kalon is clearly equal to a first-growth Pauillac, the Dr. Crane to a firstgrowth Graves, and the Missouri Hopper remains to be seen, but it is another potentially fabulous site. -RP