Wine reviews

April 2024

The 2021 World's End Crossfire from Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Vineyard in Oakville is a brooding, muscular, dense, power-packed wine with dark floral notes and brown baking spices. Medium to full-bodied with chalky tannins. Crushed slate, mocha, and candied violets emerge on the finish. Missouri Hopper was once part of Vine Hill Ranch. Andy Beckstoffer purchased a section from the Kelham family in 1996. Block C in the northern part of the vineyard and Block D in the western portion contribute grapes for this blend. Winemaker Jonathan Maltus is best known for his Le Dome wine from Chateau Teyssier in Saint-Émilion. - JC