The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard is an absolute stunner, sporting an inky purple-black color and show-stopping nose of crème de cassis and blackberry pie laced with cumin seed, fenugreek, black pepper and cardamom, plus a transporting earthy undercurrent of black loam, moss-covered tree bark and forest floor. The palate delivers a wall of muscular black fruit accented by exotic spices and decadent floral notions, framed by firm, grainy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing with epic length and many, many layers. Amazing.
Reviews:
- Wine Advocate: Produced from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard is an absolute stunner, sporting an inky purple-black color and show-stopping nose of crème de cassis and blackberry pie laced with cumin seed, fenugreek, black pepper and cardamom, plus a transporting earthy undercurrent of black loam, moss-covered tree bark and forest floor. The palate delivers a wall of muscular black fruit accented by exotic spices and decadent floral notions, framed by firm, grainy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing with epic length and many, many layers. Amazing.
- Jeb Dunnuck: 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.
Producer Information
Realm Cellars is a Napa Valley producer with a winery and estate vineyards in Stags Leap District. The operation is known for its powerful Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines from premium vineyards, and is quickly becoming one of Napa’s cult producers. There is a devoted mailing list following, and much of the wine is sold directly to members, or to restaurants.The business was founded in 2002 by Juan Mercado and Wendell Laidley as a virtual winery, using five tons of fruit from each of Beckstoffer To Kalon and Dominus Estate’s Napanook vineyards. Other vineyards such as Beckstoffer Dr Crane and Farella were added as sources in following years.The wines were initially made at Sherwin Family Vineyards on Spring Mountain. Vinification later moved to Chateau Boswell near St Helena.Realm now also owns its own vineyard, after acquiring Hartwell Estate Vineyards in Stags Leap District in late 2015. From the 2016 vintage, the wines have been made at the former Hartwell winery. Today, half the production is evenly split between single-vineyard wines and propietary blends from sites all over Napa.Then in 2020 Realm added a further two adjacent parcels to their estate holding. These extra 5 acres (2ha) had been part of the original Hartwell property, and are earmarked for a future “Hartwell Vineyard” bottling.
