2015 Beckstoffer The Debate Cabernet Sauvignon Dr. Crane Vineyard

A rich, sumptuous wine, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane takes all of the attributes of this site and dials them up. Powerful and exotically ripe, this flamboyant Cabernet will appeal to readers who enjoy the riper, more exuberant side of Napa Valley. This is a gorgeous wine. (AG)

Starting off with the 2015s, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane is primordial and backward, with a deep purple color and barrel sample-like notes of blueberries, tobacco leaf, liquid violets, plums and damp earth. These give way to a huge, unctuous and sweetly fruited beauty that has the telltale sweetness of fruit of the 2015 vintage (the wine is completely dry) as well as a deep, concentrated mid-palate, ample underlying structure and a massive finish. Forget bottles for 4-5 years and enjoy over the following two to three decades.

Deep inky-purple colored, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard reveals a beautiful, floral nose of violets and potpourri wafting over the expressive core of crushed blackcurrants, black cherries and blackberries plus hints of pencil lead, tree bark, Chinese five spice and Sichuan pepper. The palate is simply mind-blowing, offering this incredible intensity, depth of black fruit and spicy flavors in a wonderfully elegant medium to full-bodied palate, with exquisitely fine tannins to frame and bags of freshness on the finish. Very impressive Cab!