Wine reviews
Now drawing from some blocks that used to go to Schrader, Memento Mori's 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard readily evokes the vineyard name in its aromas of crushed stone. Those join hints of pencil shavings and cedar in framing ripe cherries and deep, loamy earth notes. Full-bodied, rich and concentrated, this is a powerful, perhaps slightly warm wine, but velvety, polished and nicely balanced in the end, with bright acids complementing dark chocolate on the lingering finish. – JC
This is ripe and dense but succulent in feel, with subtle brambly energy driving the core of blackberry and black currant preserves. Offers a melted licorice coating, along with flickers of sweet tobacco and alder on the finish, where the fruit shows a nice finishing kick. Best from 2025 through 2042. 100 cases made. - J.M.