2018 Bevan "Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard" St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon

“The 2018 Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Cabernet Sauvignon is a total knockout and looks to be the most impressive of all the truly outstanding wines from Russell Bevan in this vintage. This is an immense, towering wine that immediately starts off displaying a stunning black inky color, which is followed by seductive aromas of blueberries and ripe blackberry cordial, which are accompanied by fresh violets, espresso, loam, spices and hints of dark chocolate shavings that are impossible to resist as they explode from the glass. On the palate this is full-bodied and intense, with a layered, voluptuous mouthfeel that shows incredible depth and concentration. It goes on to impress as it displays a wonderful seamless texture all the way through the long, multi-dimensional finish that carries on and on. This is an absolute gem from Bevan, which is already utterly captivating, however it should also offer a lengthy drinking window that will span the course of multiple decades. (JD)” (02/2021)

“I always seem to compare great wines from this site with Haut-Brion, and I think the comparison holds here, although it’s a Haut-Brion on steroids! The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Dr. Crane Vineyard reveals a dense purple color as well as a powerful nose of ripe black fruits, tobacco leaf, earth, coffee beans, and gravelly earth. All of these carry over to the palate, where the wine is full-bodied and has a deep, layered mid-palate, sweet tannins, and a blockbuster of a finish. Hats off to the talented Russell Bevan for another brilliant, singular wine that’s going to keep for 20-25 years.” (01/2021)

“The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard was aged for 19 months in French oak barrels, 100% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, it sashays out of the glass with flamboyant scents of redcurrant jelly, Black Forest cake, blackcurrant pastilles and rose oil with suggestions of cast-iron pan, pencil lead and tilled soil plus a waft of fragrant earth. Full-bodied, rich and concentrated with firm, exquisitely ripe, fine-grained tannins and seamless freshness, it delivers an incredible mineral and perfumed red fruit firework display finish. Fans of Dr. Crane are going to LOVE this expression, masterfully crafted by Russell Bevan—an absolute must-try! (LPB)” (02/2021)

“The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard is sensual, silky and nuanced, as wines from this site tend to be. Floral overtones and generous red/purplish fruit all run through this wonderfully open-knit Cabernet. If I were going to drink any of the Bevan 2018s on the young side, I would start here, with the fabulous Dr. Crane. (AG)” (01/2021)