Wine reviews

January 2020

Winemaker Kirk Venge has fashioned an incredible lineup in 2017, and if this 2018 Cabernet Franc Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard is any indication, his 2018s will follow suit. Deep purple-hued with fabulous purity in its black and blue fruits, forest floor, spring flower, and graphite-like aromas and flavors, it has the more soft, supple, yet pure style of the vintage front and center. Full-bodied, with building tannins, it's going to be reasonably approachable on release yet is going to pick up even more nuances and complexity with a solid 4-6 years of bottle age. It's another stunning expression of Cabernet Franc. – JD