Wine reviews
Enticing, with a core of cassis, plum and blackberry puree that shows nice focus while anise, briar and sweet spice notes fill in, followed by a solidly grippy finish. Needs a touch of cellaring to settle in fully. Best from 2022 through 2032. 350 cases made. – JM
Produced from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard Elysian has a deep purple-black color, prancing out of the glass with gregarious notes of fresh black and red currants, mulberries and ripe black plums, plus suggestions of pencil shavings, bouquet garni, cardamom and Indian spices with a waft of fallen leaves. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is pure seduction, delivering bags of crunchy black fruits and loads of earthy sparks with a soft, finely grained texture and background freshness, finishing very long and very earthy. – LPB
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard Elysian is another heavenly wine from this estate that shows a more elegant, seamless style with its incredible perfume of crème de cassis, graphite, white flowers, flowery incense, and unsmoked tobacco. Deep, full-bodied, and concentrated, it offers building tannins, no hard edges, and a great finish. About as seamless as they come, with ultra-fine tannins and flawless balance, this heavenly, seamless, magical wine will benefit from short-term cellaring and keep for 40 years or more. – JD
A sensational barrel sample, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard Elysian straight-up stopped me in my tracks. A barrel selection from this great vineyard outside of St. Helena, it offers a La Mission Haut Brion-like style in its tobacco leaf, gravelly earth, chocolate, violets, and smoke. Full-bodied, powerful, and massively concentrated, it’s still tight and reserved on the palate, yet is flawlessly balanced. I suspect a solid 5-7 years of bottle age will be warranted. – JD