Wine reviews

January 2020

Not yet bottled, the 2017 Cabernet Franc Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard comes from one of the Grand Cru sites in the valley and is 100% Cabernet Franc that’s still resting in a mix of new Taransaud, Darnajou, and Sylvain barrels. It offers an extraordinary bouquet of spice red, blue, and black fruits interwoven with notions of flowery incense, graphite, chocolate, and even a whiff of espresso. Deep, rich, and powerful on the palate, it nevertheless has stunning tannins, a weightless texture, and a great finish. It's a brilliant wine in the making and up with the creme de la creme of the vintage. – JD