Paul Hobbs Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
-
Suckling
James -
Parker
Robert -
Spectator
Wine
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Harvested from two small prized blocks identified by Paul, this expressive wine penetrates with aromas of blackberry compote, sweet tobacco and crushed violets. Savory herbs like thyme and marjoram interplay with red currant, black raspberry, mocha and umami characteristics on the palate. Possessing a broad and deep texture, the grippy tannins are met with mineral notes of wet stones and balanced by a vibrant acidity that brings tension towards the long, persistent finish.
Professional Ratings
-
James Suckling
Extremely polished Crane with crushed-berry, stone, and sage character on the palate. Full body, creamy texture and a long, delicious finish. Really fresh and beautiful. One of the most elegant wines from here.
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Deep garnet-purple, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard has a very serious nose of warm cassis, baked plums and cigar box with hints of menthol, pencil lead, cloves and cast-iron pan. Medium to full-bodied, the palate reveals beautiful poise, offering intense black fruit and mineral accents with a firm, fine-grained framed, finishing with a lingering earthy lift.
-
Wine Spectator
Delightfully ripe, with lush, flattering cassis and creamed blackberry and plum flavors gliding through. Shows light wood spice and licorice shadings on the finish, revealing a gorgeous loamy echo, while the fruit holds sway easily. Exhibits barely a blip of the vintage's edgy tannins, delivering serious fruit and a grounding in terroir.
Other Vintages
2019-
Dunnuck
Jeb -
Suckling
James -
Parker
Robert -
Spectator
Wine
-
Parker
Robert -
Suckling
James -
Spectator
Wine
-
Parker
Robert -
Suckling
James -
Spectator
Wine
-
Parker
Robert -
Spectator
Wine -
Suckling
James
-
Parker
Robert -
Suckling
James -
Spectator
Wine
-
Parker
Robert -
Spectator
Wine
-
Parker
Robert -
Suckling
James -
Spectator
Wine
-
Enthusiast
Wine - Vinous
-
Parker
Robert
-
Suckling
James -
Parker
Robert -
Spectator
Wine
-
Spectator
Wine
-
Parker
Robert -
Spectator
Wine
-
Parker
Robert
-
Spectator
Wine -
Parker
Robert
-
Spectator
Wine -
Parker
Robert
-
Parker
Robert
A noble variety bestowed with both power and concentration, Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys success all over the globe, its best examples showing potential to age beautifully for decades. Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in Bordeaux's Medoc where it is often blended with Merlot and smaller amounts of some combination of Cabernet Franc, Malbecand Petit Verdot. In the Napa Valley, ‘Cab’ is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious, age-worthy and sought-after “cult” wines. Somm Secret—DNA profiling in 1997 revealed that Cabernet Sauvignon was born from a spontaneous crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in 17th century southwest France.
St. Helena is in the heart of the Napa Valley, nestled between Calistoga to the north and Rutherford on its southern border. On its western side, the Mayacamas Mountains guard it from the cooling effects of the Pacific Ocean; to its east stand the Vaca Mountains. In conjunction, these mountain ranges serve to lock in summer daytime heat. But in the evening, cool air from the San Pablo Bay funnels up through the valley, creating very chilly nights. It isn’t uncommon for temperatures to drop 50 degrees, a shift that promotes a balance of sugar ripeness and acidity in wine grapes.
St. Helena contains a plethora of different soil types in a small area, which have been enhanced over centuries by rain runoff from both mountain ranges. Its vineyards cover a variety of terrain, spreading across the bucolic valley floor and its benchlands.
These ideal topographic and climatic growing conditions easily caught the attention of early winemaking pioneers. In fact, St. Helena is the birthplace of Napa Valley’s commercial wine industry. Dr. Crane founded his cellar in 1859, David Fulton in 1860 and Charles Krug in 1861.
Today there are no less than 400 separate vineyards planted within the 12,000 acres that make up the St. Helena appellation.
Revered most for its red wines based on Bordeaux varieties, namely Cabernet Sauvignon, the St. Helena appellation is also a source of superior Syrah, Zinfandel and Sauvignon blanc.