Wine reviews
My favorite wine is, not surprisingly, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard. This is a relatively small cuvée of only 100 cases as well. The wine has loads of smokey barbecue notes, scorched earth, charcoal embers, blueberry and blackberry notes – a wine that clearly comes from a firstgrowth quality vineyard. It is an old riverbed and quarry, which explains not only the minerality, but the sublime earthiness that intersects with extravagant levels of blue and black fruits in a full-bodied, multidimensional, layered mouthfeel. There is no reason to defer gratification, as this wine should drink well for the next 15-20 years.-RP These wines are made by Sam Kaplan, whose name should be familiar to readers. The production is relatively small, from 100 cases each for the Las Piedras and Dr. Crane, to slightly more for the Napa blend of Dr. Crane, Piedras and the Weitz Vineyard.