2003 Behrens Family Doctor Crane Cuvée Beckstoffer Vineyards
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Tasting notes
The 2003 Dr. Crane Cuvee Beckstoffer Vineyard is composed of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Cabernet Franc that finished at 15.4% natural alcohol. This has always been one of my favorite sources whenever I taste at this winery high on Spring Mountain. The 2003 Dr. Crane Cuvee always reminds me of a California version of a great La Mission Haut Brion. There is a minerality, blue fruit intensity and distinctive wet gravel-like note that permeate the aromatics and flavors of this full-bodied wine. Complex with beautiful fruit, and still an adolescent, this rich, full 2003 is a great example of Napa viticulture and world class winemaking. Drink this beauty now or cellar it for another 10-15 years. Bravo! I have seen rumors circulating on the blogs alleging a problem with the Behrens-Hitchcock synthetic closures in the winery’s early days, but all of these wines were finished with real cork. This has always been one of my favorite wineries to visit, a great family operation of young to middle-aged wine and food lovers trying to do the best they can, eschewing any arrogance given their serious talent. In short, consumers benefit from high level amateur winemaking and intense viticultural knowledge. It is hard to know in what order to taste these wines, but here goes. Tel. (707) 963-1774
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
(a 60/40 blend of cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc, from a vineyard in St. Helena Full ruby-red. Aromas of licorice and bitter chocolate, lifted by a strong violet florality from the cabernet franc. Fat, lush and rich but quite dry; very full in the mouth, with a faint alcoholic warmth. But this very broad wine has sound acidity and excellent length. In texture and shape, this is rather Old World in style. The yield here is always under 1.5 tons per acre for the cabernet sauvignon, notes Bob Hitchcock.