2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr Crane Vineyard
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Tasting notes
The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard is powerful, deep and super-expressive. The 2011 is just beginning to enter its plateau of maturity. This is an especially savory, dark, imposing Crane. Black cherry/plum fruit, grilled herbs, chocolate and licorice give this brooding Cabernet quite a bit of character. This warm site clearly had an advantage in dealing with the challenges of 2011. The style is lavishly rich and oaky, but all the elements are also well balanced, especially within the context of the year.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Funny how the vintage notes give no clue that this was the vintage from hell! Relatively simple and tight. Slightly awkward tannins and lack of real flavour amplitude – very different from the norm! Lightly drying tannins on the end. Must be very difficult to justify the prices this year. Taut and a bit like a cross between normal Napa and Bordeaux in the 1970s. (JR)
Opaque ruby. The deeply perfumed nose displays scents of blackberry, blueberry, cracked pepper and Indian spices. Sappy dark berry flavors show both depth and vibrancy, picking up candied licorice and chewing tobacco nuances with air. Turns sweeter on the long, gently tannic finish, which leaves a zesty mineral note behind.
One of my personal favorites, the 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard possesses flinty, wet stone-like characteristics, more rugged tannins and an overall more masculine personality than the Las Piedras. Its concentration is impressive for a 2011, the tannins are ripe, and the wine is beefy and mouthfilling. Although it may lack some of the nuances typical for this site, it is definitely a star of the vintage. It should drink well for 10-15 years. Looking at several 2012 barrel samples reinforces the true greatness of this vintage in Napa Valley. The first-growth Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard in the hands of Paul Hobbs can be magical and I had high expectations for the 2012 version. Tel. (707) 824-9879
About the producer
Paul Hobbs is one of California wine’s biggest names. Twice named Wine Personality of the Year by Robert Parker, he joined Robert Mondavi in 1977, worked at Opus One and Simi before setting up his eponymous winery in 1991.