Wine reviews
Features a fresh, vibrant core of blackberry, black cherry and raspberry preserve notes harnessed by hints of taut cast iron, warm earth and dried anise. Soundly structured through the lengthy finish, this offers the fruit for balance. Just needs some patience to settle in and unfurl. Best from 2026 through 2040. 790 cases made. – JM
The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard offers up delicate sage and thyme notes, hints of dusty earth and plenty of delicious black cherry fruit. It's medium to full-bodied in the mouth, rich but supple, harmonious and easy to drink, turning softly dusty on the long finish. Compared to the Nathan Coombs Estate, it's more nuanced and complex as a young wine but perhaps not as concentrated or potentially long lived. – JC
Coming from a warmer site on the west side of St. Helena, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard is deeper plum/purple hue and boasts a ripe, powerful nose of black fruits, spring flowers, lead pencil, and scorched earth. Deep, rich, full-bodied, and concentrated, it has a multi-dimensional, layered mouthfeel, ultra-fine tannins, the vintage's freshness and purity, and a blockbuster of a finish. This heavenly Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon will benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age and have 30+ years of overall longevity. It will probably merit a triple digit rating at maturity. - J.D.