2020 Paul Hobbs Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Paul Hobbs, hailed by Forbes as the “Steve Jobs of the wine world,”is a name that changed the landscape of Napa Valley and beyond. A graduate with a Master’s degree in Viticulture and Winemaking from UC Davis, Hobbs first rose to prominence as Robert Mondavi’s right-hand man, playing a pivotal role as the first winemaker at the legendary Opus One winery.His journey didn’t stop there—Hobbs became vice-president of Simi Winery and eventually established a world-renowned wine empire with estates like Paul Hobbs Winery and Crossbarn in California, Viña Cobos in Argentina, Crocus in France, and Yacoubian-Hobbs in Armenia.

Today, he consults with over 30 wineries across the globe, bringing his unparalleled expertise to regions in Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Canada, Spain, and beyond.

Paul Hobbs’ commitment to vineyard-specific excellence is nothing short of legendary, and his 2020 Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon proves it once more. This iconic vineyard, originally planted by Napa pioneer Dr. George Belden Crane in 1858, has seen history unfold on its gravelly, loamy soils—from hosting St. Helena’s Chinatown in the 1920s to flourishing under the meticulous stewardship of Beckstoffer Vineyards since 1997.

Replanted in 1998, the site now boasts carefully selected clones of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc. Set within the St. Helena AVA, this vineyard delivers stellar Cabernet year after year, but in Hobbs' masterful hands, the 2020 vintage is simply remarkable. Despite a challenging year that saw many opting out of production, Hobbs’ expression of the Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard radiates a singular elegance, complexity, and sheer joy in each glass—an unforgettable Napa Cabernet from a storied terroir.

Aging: 18 months in French oak barrels, 86% new.

99% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Cabernet Franc. Fresh dark red fruit aromas—black raspberry and cherry—that hang in savory balance with pungent cigar box, tobacco leaf, and graphite notes. The palate is bright and precise yet complex, its dusty tannins and crushed rock minerality integrated seamlessly through a long, indulgent finish.

100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the famous gravelly loam soils of Beckstoffer Dr Crane in the St. Helena AVA. This is a site that consistently delivers a gorgeous Cabernet, almost no matter the producer. Still, in the capable hands of Paul Hobbs, even in a challenging year like 2020, when many producers opted not to bottle their fruit, this wine radiates balance, pleasure, depth, and curiosity. A burst of classic, dusty, iron-like Dr Crane minerality is accompanied by sagebrush after a cool winter rain, spearmint, and cedar spices. Pure, silken, energetic and layered with red, black, and blue-toned fruits, dark chocolate, and gravelly, fine-grained tannins with a firm backbone of racy acidity. Long, lean, and built for the long haul. ~98 Decanter

One of the finest wines I was able to taste in the vintage is the 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard, a deep, inky-hued 2020 with lots of black and blue fruits as well as Graves-like scorched earth, tobacco, and smoked herbs. Full-bodied, concentrated, and opulent, it has ripe tannins, a round, mouth-filling texture, and outstanding length. It’s going to evolve for 15 years. ~95 Jeb Dunnuck

Picked on September 23, the 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard matured in 85% new French oak. It's medium to full-bodied, with bright cherries framed by cedar. Slightly coarse and open-knit in texture, with a grainy mouthfeel, it finishes a bit tart. To be fair, these are quibbles in the context of the vintage, which only suffers when compared to the several preceding years; it's still an excellent wine.~94 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Shows steeped plum, boysenberry and blackberry fruit that has a slightly exotic feel, carried by a caressing structure and backed by generous warm cocoa and melted black licorice. Delivers just enough brambly energy on the finish to keep things honest. Drink now through 2033. ~92 Wine Spectator

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