Freddy R. Troya

9.5

Fait-Main – Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard – Cabernet Sauvignon – 2023
St. Helena – Napa Valley – California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
A single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from the iconic Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard in St. Helena. Crafted by Benoît Touquette (Fait-Main), this 2023 vintage is a powerful yet precise expression of Napa Valley Cabernet, emphasizing vineyard character, concentration, and structural integrity. Las Piedras’ rocky soils and warm site deliver intensity, while Touquette’s restrained hand preserves balance and clarity.

Aromas & Flavors
Dense and focused aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry compote, and ripe plum lead the nose. The palate follows with layers of dark cherry, cassis, graphite, crushed stone, and subtle espresso. Secondary notes of cocoa, cedar, and sweet spice emerge with air, adding depth without overshadowing the fruit.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied and commanding, with firm, muscular tannins that give the wine its signature “bite.” The texture is polished but unapologetically powerful, carrying weight and concentration through a long, structured finish. This is a Cabernet built for longevity rather than immediacy.

Food Pairings
Grilled or dry-aged beef, lamb chops, braised short ribs, or mushroom-driven dishes. Also excellent with hearty, umami-rich preparations that can stand up to the wine’s structure.

Verdict
A serious, no-compromise Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Concentrated, structured, and expressive of both site and winemaker. This is not a casual pour, it’s a wine that demands attention and rewards patience.

Did You Know?
Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard is known for its rocky, iron-rich soils, which naturally limit vigor and contribute to the wine’s intense structure, minerality, and age-worthy tannins.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
This wine has punch and precision. Dark, deep, and unapologetically bold, with a real bite that reminds you that you’re drinking something special. A standout Cabernet that shows why Las Piedras and Touquette are such a formidable combination. — a day ago

Renato Albuquerque

9.1

Cor intensa mas não vibrante. Corpo médio. Aroma de frutas e um pouco de álcool. O sabor é de vinho maduro e com amadeirado bem evidente. — 4 years ago

Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

9.3

16 Base Vintage. Epic. — 2 months ago

romo

8.9

Simple. All on the front end. Nothing sustaining. — 2 years ago

Raj Harb

9.5

Killer btl. Complete. 95pct pinot noir, 5pct chard. April 2018 disg. W Cory — 4 years ago

Kevin Boys

9.2

Bought in St. Augustine at French cafe and bakery. — 5 years ago

Gor

9.3

Great stuff, purity of expression — 4 months ago

Ira Schwartz

9.2

Lots of complex aromatics that became even more expressive as the bottle warmed up. Some oxidative notes mixed with bread and flowers. In the mouth this leans to the vinous side. Acid driven which allows it to be consumed through out the meal. Just a hint of bitterness on the finish — 3 years ago

Fredybeans

9.2

Robe cristalline
Nez de beu chardonnay à l élevage noble
Bouche superbe
Pas de profondeur … normal bourgogne générique mais superbe — 4 years ago

Joe Weinberger

9.1

Floral and Smokey. Glou glou. — 5 years ago