Wine reviews
The 2007 Frontier Justice Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard (97% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot) exhibits that Graves-like character of smoked meats, roasted herbs, burning embers, and charcoal intermixed with dense blueberry and currant fruit, admirable richness, huge tannins, and a big, beefy, full-bodied, powerful style. Give it at least 5 years of bottle age, and given its high percentage of Cabernet Franc, it should age in a fascinating manner. I can’t wait to see how it turns out in 5-7 years as Cabernet Francs tend to put on weight and develop exceptional aromatics. These impressive wines are made in relatively small quantities ranging from 160 to 300+ cases. Winemaker Marco DiGiulio, who did terrific work for some of the Jess Jackson projects, is making the wine at Bounty Hunter Rare Wines. All the fruit comes from either the Beckstoffer To Kalon or Beckstoffer Dr. Crane vineyards, and I find the Justice-themed names very clever, and the packaging top-flight. The 2007s are slightly more powerful, backward wines (alcohol levels range from the upper 14% to low 15%), but they have enough structure as well as sensational concentration and depth to support the tannins.