2016 Beckstoffer The Debate Cabernet Sauvignon Sacrashe

The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Sacrashe Vineyard (100% Cabernet) is deep garnet-purple colored and comes bounding out of the glass with exuberant black berries, warm cassis, black cherries and mulberries scents with hints of eucalyptus, wild sage and spice box plus a waft of cedar. Medium to full-bodied, it has beautiful harmony with lovely soft, fine-grained tannins and background freshness complementing the bold black fruit flavors, finishing with an herbal lift. 100 cases produced.

Moving to the Cabernet Sauvignon releases, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Sacrashe comes from hillside parcels in Rutherford and was barrel fermented and aged 23 months in 70% new French oak. It has a terrific sense of chalky minerality as well as loads of chocolaty black cherry and blackberry fruits, full-bodied richness and depth, ripe tannins, and more floral and spice characteristics with time in the glass. There are 100 cases of this wine, which has both richness and elegance and should keep for upwards of two decades.

The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Sacrashe Vineyard is ample, full-bodied and explosive. There is a sense of dramatic intensity to the Sacrashe that is just striking. Intense aromatics, along with black cherry, leather, spice and licorice all take shape in the glass, and yet it is the wine's overall balance that leaves the strongest impression. The tannins typical of this site are present, but they are nicely softened. This is a gorgeous wine from The Debate. Perched atop Rutherford and overlooking Lake Hennessey, Sacrashe is one of the most breathtakingly beautiful vineyard sites in all of Napa Valley.