Realm Cellars
Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
St. Helena, Napa Valley, California, USA
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.
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.
Pretty nose of rose and violets, soft blue and red fruits, touch of cocoa, hint of fresh herbs, velvet in the mouth, smooth and lively grippy tannins that makes you want to go back for more, black rock and soil.
Pretty nose of rose and violets, soft blue and red fruits, touch of cocoa, hint of fresh herbs, velvet in the mouth, smooth and lively grippy tannins that makes you want to go back for more, black rock and soil.
Sep 19th, 2024
Astonishing concentrated yet very balanced. Amazing how they achieved it. Explosion of black fruits and soft tannins.
Astonishing concentrated yet very balanced. Amazing how they achieved it. Explosion of black fruits and soft tannins.
Oct 12th, 2021
Taste test between these two tonight, both 14’s. Going to take more tastes to decide!
Taste test between these two tonight, both 14’s. Going to take more tastes to decide!
May 26th, 2020
10’ Realm Dr Crane. Still needs a short decanting. 11- I think is better. Crazy right. 2 hours later ... holy moly! It’s singing!
10’ Realm Dr Crane. Still needs a short decanting. 11- I think is better. Crazy right. 2 hours later ... holy moly! It’s singing!
Feb 7th, 2020
A slow burn. Approachable and simple but opens through finish.
A slow burn. Approachable and simple but opens through finish.
Oct 24th, 2019Polished as hell. Crystal cherry, darker finish. Spice.
Polished as hell. Crystal cherry, darker finish. Spice.
Oct 24th, 2019Bright red, vibrant, grippy finish, caramel at the last.
Bright red, vibrant, grippy finish, caramel at the last.
Oct 24th, 2019