Winemaker Notes
The 2018 vintage from the historic Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper vineyard delivered a paragon in Napa Valley finesse. Luminous purple fruit and earth aromas open into profound layers of ripe red fruits, purple plum, mocha, pink peppercorn and spice. Fresh and lithe, this wine boasts an exceptionally tender, satin texture with ultrafine tannins and delicate oak touches that never overwhelm the aromatic fruit core. A soaring, high-toned huckleberry finish lasts for days.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Loads of blackcurrants, smoked tobacco, gravelly earth, espresso, and chocolate notes emerge from the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Vineyard, a Graves-look alike that offers full-bodied richness, ripe, polished tannins, a dense, rich mid-palate, and a blockbuster of a finish. Reminding me of a great vintage from Smith Haut Lafitte, it can be drunk today or cellared for 20 years or more.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper opens with with classic, rather serious scents of warm cassis, black plum preserves and boysenberries with touches of espresso, menthol and hoisin plus a touch of tilled soil. The medium to full-bodied palate has bags of mineral-laced black fruit flavor, framed by grainy tannins and a refreshing line, finishing long and earthy.
Rating: 94+
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.
Home to some of the most sought-after Cabernet Sauvignon in America, Napa Valley’s Oakville district stretches across the center of Napa's valley floor and foothills between the Vaca and Mayacamas Mountains. This AVA is home to the legendary To Kalon Vineyard and Martha's Vineyard, as well as many powerhouse wineries including Screaming Eagle, Silver Oak, Robert Mondavi, Opus One, Far Niente and Groth.
The climate is generally warm and agreeable, resulting in year after year of favorable vintages. Summer days see a gentle tug of war between warmer inland air and the cool air coming in from the San Pablo Bay, creating an ideal environment to grow red varieties. Oakville's diverse soils, namely ancient sea bedrock, clay and gravel, are well-drained, and perfect for high-caliber viticulture.
Cabernet here is often bottled varietally but is also popular in Bordeaux Blends. Oakville wines are known for their silky, sensual textures, structured tannins, dark and brooding fruit and lovely aromatics. These age-worthy and prestigious wines are favored by collectors throughout the world.