By World's End
Crossfire Cabernet Sauvignon Missouri Hopper Vineyard, Oakville, Napa 2017

Grapes
100% Cabernet Sauvignon

History
Crossfire shows earlier than its fellow Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer stable mate from To Kalon - coming out of the traps blazing! Andy Beckstoffer purchased Missouri Hopper from the Kelham family in 1996. Owing to phylloxera, the vineyard was replanted to multiple clones of Cabernet Sauvignon and other mainly Bordeaux-style varieties. The Missouri Hopper Vineyard originated as part of the historic Vine Hill Ranch, located north of the town of Yountville in the Oakville AVA. The vineyard is divided into two areas, with the wine emanating from the northern, younger Block C and the westerly Block D.

Viticulture
Purchased by Beckstoffer Vineyards in 1988, the vineyard has since been replanted with new Cabernet Sauvignon clones, tighter spacing, and advanced trellising systems, enhancing quality and grape tonnage. The cropping level is held to the same low yield as the To Kalon Vineyard, under three tons to the acre.

Vinification
Vinification is similar to that of wines we make in France. After running through two sets of sorting tables - first by the bunch and then, after the destemmer, grape by grape - we're looking for a long cold soak before fermentation. The wines undergo malolactic fermentation in new French oak and are aged in the same oak for up to two years.

Enjoyment
It's the one to drink while waiting for To Kalon to mature. This is a more classic and well-known AVA than Rutherford - really the spiritual home of the Napa Valley.

Tasting Notes
Another single-vineyard wine from Beckstoffer, Crossfire is a typical Cabernet Sauvignon from the valley floor. The first impression is of smooth silk, progressively revealing textured, meaty, crunchy tannins with a good grip on the finish.
[Information provided by World's End]

Wine: World’s End Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Oakville Crossfire 2017
Score/Rating: 92
Review Date: 03/07/2023
Reviewed By: James Suckling
Tasting Notes: Aromas of black cherries and plums with sweet tobacco, mocha and dark earth. Full and chewy with velvety tannins and plush dark berry character. Lingering and opulent with a chalky, dark-fruited finish. Drink or hold.

Wine: 2017 World's End Cabernet Sauvignon Crossfire Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Vineyard
Score/Rating: 92
Suggested Drinking Window: 2023 - 2033
Review Date: 02/16/2023
Reviewed By: Jeb Dunnuck
Tasting Notes: Coming from a great valley floor site in the southern part of Oakville, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Crossfire has a ripe, round, mouth-filling style as well as classic Hopper notes of darker currants, tobacco leaf, dark chocolate, and flowers. This complex, satisfying, balanced 2017 is drinking great today yet will keep for another decade at a minimum.

Wine: 2017 World's End Crossfire Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Vineyard
Score/Rating: 92
Suggested Drinking Window: 2022 - 2030
Review Date: 05/31/2022
Reviewed By: Joe Czerwinski
Tasting Notes: The 2017 Crossfire Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Vineyard is big, rich and lush. With its super-dark notes of chocolate, clove and mocha, this full-bodied effort is savory-leaning, richly textured and long, with plummy fruit and plenty of spice.