High Score Holiday
High Score Holiday
Your gift set includes:
1 x 2018 Lithology " Beckstoffer - Dr. Crane Vineyard " Cabernet Sauvignon
1 x 2018 Lithology " Beckstoffer - To-Kalon Vineyard " Cabernet Sauvignon
1 x 2018 Lithology " Beckstoffer - Las Piedras Vineyard " Cabernet Sauvignon
1 x 2018 Lithology Vintage Booklet
Luxe gift box
2018 Lithology " Beckstoffer - Dr. Crane Vineyard " Cabernet Sauvignon
Possibly the wine of the vintage…100 points” is what Jeb Dunnuck wrote earlier this year, and it is certainly one of the greatest bottlings we’ve ever produced. Dr. George B. Crane planted his vineyard in the city of St. Helena back in 1858. Here the Cabernet comes to us typically flawless, and the wines are as such. There is blue fruits, blueberries, black plums, blackberries, and cassis to the aromas, as well as stones, mineral, chocolate, fresh tobacco, and subtle herbs. It is incredibly full-bodied, but at the same time effortlessly drinkable, with ultra-smooth tannins and a positive, long, upturned finish. 70-75% new French oak is the norm for us with Dr. Crane, and those flavors are absorbed to become a vanillin complexity, sweetness, and length. An unbelievable wine. (Less than 300 cases made.)
100 POINTS - Jeb Dunnuck
"The wine of the vintage, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Lithology Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard is another incredible wine from this estate that has everything: stunning complexity, full-bodied richness, flawless balance, and incredible length. Revealing a dense purple color as well as Graveslike notes of blackcurrants, cold fireplace, graphite, chocolate, and smoked tobacco, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, flawless balance, and ultra-fine tannins. Based on 99% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Cabernet Franc that was brought up 20 months in 70% new French oak, this thrilling 2018 offers pleasure today yet will evolve for 30-40+ years. Hats off to the team at Alejandro Bulgheroni!" - 1/27/2021
98 POINTS - Wine Spectator
"Very deep purple-black in color, the 2018 Lithology Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard charges out of the gate with intense scents of chocolate-covered cherries, blueberry compote, and crème de cassis, leading to nuances of star anise, mocha, black olives and iron ore. The decadently rich, full-bodied palate packs an impressive punch, delivering impactful black and blue fruit preserves with loads of mineral and exotic spice layers, supported by fine-grained tannins and just enough freshness, finishing with epic length." - 7/30/21
95 POINTS - Vinous
"The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Lithology Dr. Crane Vineyard captures all the brightness and silkiness that are such defining traits of Crane Cabernets. Inky red/purplish fruit, mint, spice, wild flowers, and mocha all race out of the glass. The 2018 is exotic and flamboyant to the core, with tons of depth and terrific balance." - January 2021
2018 Lithology " Beckstoffer - To-Kalon Vineyard " Cabernet Sauvignon
“Pure perfection…100 points” is what Jeb Dunnuck wrote earlier this year, and we’re having a hard time disagreeing. The expectations from the To-Kalon Vineyard are high, and this wine delivers on that, especially given that the wines from here tend to be very powerful, and seemingly weightless too. A remarkable balance is struck – there’s crème de cassis, some red, but mostly blackberries, spice box, cigar box, forest floor and earthiness, and a luxurious mouthfeel. Aged with slightly more oak than the others given its density, the To-Kalon is able to absorb it easily, and the final structure is capable of aging effortlessly for decades. (Less than 300 cases made.)
100 POINTS - Jeb Dunnuck
"Pure perfection, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Lithology Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard is a nuclear fruit bomb of a wine, offering massive richness and depth while being as graceful as a ballerina, with no sensation of weight or heaviness. Classic To-Kalon crème de cassis, black raspberries, flowery incense, spice, and tobacco notes all define the bouquet, and it’s full-bodied, with a layered, multi-dimensional texture, ultra-fine tannins, and a great finish. It has another 2-3 decades of prime drinking ahead of it. This cuvée is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from four blocks in To-Kalon, aged 20 months in 82% new French oak." - 1/27/2021
98 POINTS -The Wine Advocate
"With an opaque purple-black color, the 2018 Lithology Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard strides confidently out of the glass with classic notions of cassis, baked plums, and cedar chest, plus suggestions of dusty soil, bouquet garni, cinnamon stick, and dried lavender. The full-bodied palate is laden with hedonic black fruit preserves and fragrant spices, framed by plush, well-managed tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long and perfumed." - 7/30/21
96 POINTS - Vinous
"The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Lithology Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard is laced with the essence of crème de cassis, blackberry jam, chocolate, grilled herbs, and licorice. This powerful, virile Cabernet needs a few years to soften, but it has a ton to offer. The natural breadth and resonance of To Kalon are very much on display." - Jan 2021
2018 Lithology " Beckstoffer - Las Piedras Vineyard " Cabernet Sauvignon
From a St. Helena vineyard planted by early Napa settler Edward Bale more than 150 years ago, and later serving as the estate vineyard for the area’s first winery built by Henry Pellet in 1860, the Las Piedras site always gives us our prettiest wine. When placed next to the Dr. Crane and To-Kalon wines, the Las Piedras show a certain elegance, with a very graceful entry and finely detailed complexity. We produce it with at least 75% new French oak, so there is a floral, spicy, and vanilla accent to the intense red and black fruits, cassis, and black cherry liqueur. What distinguishes this bottling is the beautifully fine tannins, delicate texture, and stunning purity. (Less than 100 cases made.)
98 POINTS - Jeb Dunnuck
"The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Lithology Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard comes from a world-class site outside of St. Helena and is all Cabernet that spent 20 months in 80% new oak. It offers a touch more red fruit as well as ample cassis, spring flowers, loamy earth, and spice-like aromas and flavors. It has a wonderful sense of minerality, ultra-fine tannins, a dense, layered texture, and incredible purity of fruit. It’s another just about off-the-charts release from this estate." - 1/27/2021
95 POINTS - Wine Advocate
"Sporting an opaque purple-black color, the 2018 Lithology Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras opens with tantalizing notes of redcurrant jelly, kirsch, blackcurrant pastilles and violets, plus touches of garrigue and fallen leaves. The full-bodied palate has compelling poise and energy, featuring finely grained tannins and bags of freshness to support the red and black fruit layers, finishing long and earthy." - 7/30/21
95 POINTS - Vinous
"The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Lithology Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard is a relatively accessible wine from this St. Helena site. Inky dark fruit, crème de cassis, licorice, spice, lavender, and mocha infuse the 2018 with striking nuance. This is such an expressive and inviting wine. The insistent energy and drive that are such Piedras signatures emerge over time but remain mostly covered by the dense fruit." - January 2021