Wine reviews
2012 Arrow & Branch
Cabernet Sauvignon
Beckstoffer
Dr. Crane
Vineyard
The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard was aged in two-thirds to three-fourths new French oak. Its classic wet gravel-like note is Napa’s version of La Mission Haut-Brion. Stony blueberry and raspberry fruit come through vividly in this moderately weighty, well-endowed, outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon. There are no hard edges and the tannins are velvety in this precise, fresh 2012. Drink it over the next decade. This is a new project from former Spottswoode winemaker Jennifer Williams. The 2012s, while outstanding, are hardly among the superstars of the vintage, but the 2013s show a dramatic uptick in quality. - RP