2015 Realm Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard is a heady, flamboyant wine. Like all of the 2015s at Realm, the Dr. Crane is opulent, forward and wonderfully immediate. All of that makes for a Cabernet that is hugely appealing in its youth. There is no question the intense heat and drought baked out some site character - that is evident in tasting the surrounding vintages - and yet the 2015 is beautifully done, with no hard edges and plenty of lush dark fruit wrapped up in silky tannins.

Powerful aromas of dark fruit with rust and crushed stones. Oyster shell, too. Very aromatic. Full-bodied, layered and powerful. Lots of toasted oak, but tight and focused. Needs time to come together. Try in 2022.

One of the most profound young wines I’ve ever tasted is the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane. Of all the high scoring wines in this report, if I had to pick one to put at the top of the heap, this would be it. My notes are filled with expletives, but this majestic, opulent, heavenly red boasts a deep purple color and La Mission Haut Brion-like notes of tobacco leaf, blackcurrants, earthy/rocky minerality, cigar box, blueberries, and Asian spices. Huge, opulent, and voluptuous, with a mid-palate that needs to be tasted to be believed, it has no hard edges, incredible density, ripe tannin, and a great, great finish. Don’t miss it and hats off to winemaker Benoit Touquette. One of the most thrilling tastings I was able to do for this report, these incredible wines from Realm are made by the talented Frenchman, Benoit Touquette. These are true blockbuster, magical wines I wish every reader could taste.