Wine reviews
The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard comes from a magical site just outside of St. Helena and is all clone 337 Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s worth noting that this cuvée was harvested 10 days prior to the Elysian release. Saturated purple/plum-colored, it offers up a sweet, incredibly complex bouquet of black raspberries, crème de cassis, tobacco leaf, espresso roast, and incense, with an earthy, gravelly minerality developing with time in the glass. Plump, sensationally textured, and undeniably sexy, this is a brilliant 2017 that’s reminiscent of the 2014 with its balance, charm, and velvety texture. It will drink nicely right out of the gate and keep for two decades. 175 cases. – JD
Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr Crane Vineyard leaps from the glass with red and black cherry preserves, black raspberries, cassis and boysenberries plus touches of pencil lead, dried herbs and tilled soil. The palate is full-bodied, firm and grainy with loads of layers and a long, mineral-tinged finish. – LPB
The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard is another beautiful wine that does everything right. It’s largely in the same style as the Dr. Crane Elysian yet slightly softer and more plush. Nevertheless, it’s concentrated, full-bodied, has loads of power, and textbook notes of gravelly earth, dark fruits, chocolate, and spicy, almost meaty nuances. Drink it any time over the coming 20 years or more. – JD