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

Harvey Hicks

9.0

Liked this one — 5 years ago

Eliza B

9.3

Alex’s “ideal white wine”. Mineral, cloudy, floral. — 5 years ago

Mary H

8.9

Medium body, tropical fruits, short finish — 8 days ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.4

Killer nose. Sweet meyer lemon, some gras, seashells and a faint hint of citrus. Substantial and deep aromas. Crushed wet stones and some flint and matchstick. More will come as it seems to be holding back. Some campfire now with air. What a palate. This is the bizness! Hugely concentrated and pure with insane depth. Green apple and citrus and unreal purity. I mean this is as pure as a fresh snow in Chamonix. Finishes so mineral and seashell inflected it’s like your sucking on a conch shell. Man I love what Fabien is doing here. Huge power and concentration but so nimble and structured. Unreal. Will see where air brings this wine. As this got air it got insanely complex and picked up finesse and even more chewy concentration. — 2 years ago

aisforalan

9.1

bright acid. roses. strawberries. sage and thyme. buy again. from main street. — 5 years ago

Michael Meyer

9.4

Antinori Wine Dinner. The main event. Paired with lamb shank and veggies. This is a very approachable Tig. Pungent red fruit, tobacco, and spice on a lithe mineral-tinged frame. Not as great as other vintages in recent history but outstanding nevertheless. — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

A beautiful Mornington Peninsula Pinot drinking at its peak. A nice blend of red fruits and earthy nuances - M+ intensity on the palate. Again the lightness in colour belies that palate intensity - a sweet palate. Main Ridge Estate was an early producer in Mornington and remains highly rated - Half Acre being their Premium Cuvée. Bottles from this estate are not readily available even in Australia. NOTE DELECTABLE - this Cuvée is the Half Acre Not the Acre. — 3 months ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.0

Vintage 2018 | Ooooph, this is an impressive wine: extremely expressive smell with spices and flint, well balanced taste with good concentration. The sommelier told that the wine comes from grapes harvested late from high vineyards. | Paired with langoustine and chanterelles | at restaurant Alma in Oisterwijk — 4 years ago

Eli Barton

9.0

This was really interesting. Loved the aroma and the flavors continued to evolve over a few days. The nose was a bit earthy and funky. Soft attack, red and black fruits, gentle pepperiness on the finish. Good acidity. Didn’t go well with a red pasta sauce, but I’d easily drink this again. Thanks Jason! — 5 years ago

with Jason and Jennifer