The Crane Assembly
Myriad Cellars
Elysian Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
The last time I had this was at The French Laundry trying to convince someone to support a nonprofit I love. The subsequent gift was generous but, somehow, underwhelming. This wine is like that. A great vintage, a great vineyard, in great hands, but it had so much more potential. I’m not whining about a 97-point wine; I’m lucky to enjoy it. But it could’ve been even more. — 5 months ago
Vice Versa
Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Nose: more standard vegetal.
Palate: more plush. Blueberry blackberry spice. Delicious. Elegantly opulent.
Elite plush wine.
Long finish. — a month ago
Beckstoffer Vineyard
Bounty Hunter Blind Justice Dr. Crane Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Really smooth, spicy berry, long finish. Paired amazingly well with Chelsea’s beef loin. Long finish. Smith’s brought. — 3 months ago
Myriad Cellars
Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Drinking very well right now (2024). Critics said to drink up but I found it still having strong fruit balancing the dirt. Reminded me of some lovely aged Bordeaux I've had in the past. I'd enjoy now or over the next few years if you're lucky enough to have any bottles. Cheers! — 5 months ago
The Crane Assembly
Disciples Old Vine Zinfandel Petite Sirah 2020
Such a good wine for the price. It's a "crowd pleaser" but hey, what's wrong with that? You get some oak, some texture, jammy fruit, good acidity, long finish. You definitely get your money's worth here. — 2 years ago
Realm Cellars
Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
One of the wines I supplied for an annual lunch hosting (co-host this time). I was really hesitant to open this given the fanfare of this specific wine, but also how DrCrane can be an in-between wine for me (so explosive young, shut down at 5-10yrs, re-open 10+). Decanted two-three hours.
Classic deep purple-black DrCrane in the glass. Aromatics are immediate with ripe blue and black fruits, baking spices, mocha and graphite. Just a little bit of high-toned EA to make it pop, along with this roasted character I always get from DrCrane wines. Opulent and polished in every way on the palate, this is a tidal wave of flavor with no hard edges. It’s a towering wine in the sense of so much concentration and depth on the mid-palate, but it’s so incredibly polished at the finish…almost shockingly so. The ripe fruits and the dark chocolate linger longer than any Napa cab I can remember. Iron first in a velvet glove.
No need to worry, these are open for business. Plenty of structure to carry a while, but this window seems like it was made for how this wine is drinking now. — 2 months ago
Paul Hobbs
Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
Big & bold. Ripe dark fruit, spice, etc…Evolved yet still developing. Really loved the complex tertiary flavors starting to appear. One complaint: WHOPPING 14.7%! — 6 months ago
Nathan Renfro
This wine is absolutely gorgeous! Give it a 30 min rest in the glass. Bright ripe fruit nose. Silky mouthfeel, the perfectly ripe black and blue fruit comes forth, followed by intense minerality, soft yet grippy tannins leaving a slightly chalky mouthfeel. So elegant, such finesse. Graphite, black licorice, blueberry pie, baking spices, hint of mocha. Superb medium-long finish. It’s this experience that makes Dr Crane one of my favorite vineyards. Absolutely love this wine and this vineyard! — 17 days ago