Wine reviews
Youthfully compact, but there's a core of dark currant and blackberry compote flavors that want to burst out, wrapped in bramble, sweet bay leaf and anise notes for now, which should eventually meld into the fruit and stretch out the alder-tinged finish. Best from 2022 through 2034. 325 cases made. – JM
The deep garnet-purple colored 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr Crane Vineyard is made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. It comes bounding out of the glass with exuberant scents of ripe blackberries, Morello cherries, blackcurrant pastilles and chocolate box with hints of camphor, lilacs and licorice. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is intense with bags of tension and energetic black and red fruits, supported by ripe grainy tannins, finishing long and mineral laced. – LPB
This iconic site located outside of St. Helena always produces a rich, powerful wine, and the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard is no exception, offering loads of black and blue fruits, gravelly earth, chocolate, and Asian spice notes as well as a full-bodied, opulent, sexy profile on the palate. With a beautiful sense of freshness, ripe, polished tannins, and a great finish, this gorgeous effort needs 2-3 years of bottle age and will cruise for 30 years or more. – JD
Moving to the barrel samples, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard is a beautiful wine in the making and tastes like the essence of this great terroir. Tons of smoked earth, chocolate, tobacco, and assorted black fruits all define the bouquet, and it hits the palate with full-bodied richness and depth, ripe tannins, and the purity and elegance of the 2018 vintage front and center. – JD