Wine reviews
The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon (all clone 4) aged 22 months in 100% new French oak. Very deep purple-black in color, it leaps from the glass with exuberant blackberry preserves, stewed plums, cassis and black cherries notes with touches of chocolate mint, oolong tea, mossy bark and tobacco. Full-bodied and laden with vivacious black fruits, it has a firm backbone of grainy tannins and compelling freshness, finishing long and earthy. – LPB
There were two 2016s presented, both magical wines that are just about as good as it gets. The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Las Piedras Vineyard comes from a rocky site outside of St. Helena and is all Cabernet aged 23 months in new barrels. A monster bouquet of crème de cassis and black raspberry-driven fruits are mixed with notes of crushed violets, unsmoked tobacco, spring flowers, and crushed rocks. These all flow to a full-bodied wine that builds incrementally on the palate, with a deep, layered mid-palate, ultra-fine tannins, and the balance and purity that make this vintage so special. Drink this awesome Cabernet any time over the coming 20-25 years. – JD