By Paul Hobbs
2018 Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Vintage Notes
After 2017 received record-breaking rainfall, 2018 brought another winter with wet weather that continued through February. By early spring, dry, sunny conditions allowed for ideal fruit set. Mild summer temperatures with no prolonged heat spikes provided an abundant crop, leading us to make up to four yield-thinning passes in our vineyards. The moderate temperatures persisted into the fall, resulting in exceptional phenolic development and allowing the fruit to mature slowly on the vine. Fruit was harvested a full two weeks later than average, delivering elegant structure, brightness of flavors, and naturally balanced acidity.

Technical Details
Varietal Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Owner: Andy Beckstoffer
Source: 2.38 acres of Block B1
Clonal Selection: Clone 4
Rootstock: 110-R
Planting Date: 2001
Soil: Cortina, gravel loam
Exposure: 0 to 5% slope, full exposure
Trellis and Pruning: Vertical shoot positioned (VSP), bilateral cordon
Yield: 2.65 tons per acre
Harvest: Hand-harvested at night, shears only
Harvest Date: October 19th
Coopers: Darnajou, Taransaud, Boutes, Leroi

Winemaking Notes
Hand-sorted while still cold from the field. Fermented in small, closed-top stainless steel tanks with indigenous yeasts. Five-day cold soak, 32 days of total maceration. Gentle pumpovers and delestage. Spontaneous malolactic fermentation in barrel. Aged 20 months in French oak barrels (87% new). Bottled unfiltered and unfined in June 2020.

Tasting Notes
Possessing a deep garnet core and aromas of sweet Morello cherry, baker's mocha, and savory herbs, our 2018 is a deeply compelling wine with remarkable depth and concentration of flavors. A backbone of firm tannins supports expressive layers of blackcurrant and blueberry confiture, with an underlying crushed rock minerality and a lift of acidity that lends tension to the long, seamless finish.
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Wine: 2018 Paul Hobbs Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard
Score/Rating: 98
Suggested Drinking Window: 2025 - 2050
Review Date: 02/26/2021
Reviewed By: Lisa Perrotti-Brown
Tasting Notes: Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard opens with provocative ferrous, crushed rocks and tar notes over a core of creme de cassis, redcurrant jelly and raspberry leaves with a hint of wild fungi. The medium to full-bodied palate is taut with tension and jam-packed with pure black and red fruits, supported by firm, grainy tannins, finishing with uplifting mineral sparks. This energetic beauty needs some time. Give it a good 4-5 years in bottle and drink it over the next 25 years+.

Wine: Paul Hobbs Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard 2018
Score/Rating: 96
Review Date: 12/11/2020
Tasting Notes: A juicy, round-textured red with plum and berry character, as well [as] chocolate and spice. Wet rock, too. It's full-bodied and layered with pretty fruit and a long, flavorful finish. Extremely polished and poised. A little tight at the finish. [...] already very attractive.

Wine: Paul Hobbs 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard
Score/Rating: 96
Suggested Drinking Window: 2024 - 2043
Review Date: 12/2020
Reviewed By: Antonio Galloni
Tasting Notes: The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard is such a gorgeous and highly representative wine off this site. Crushed rocks, graphite, menthol, creme de cassis and spice are so typical of this site. At this stage, the Piedras does not have the sheer appeal or immediacy of the Crane, but then again, that is Piedras. All of this fruit is Clone 4, which in this rugged site yields very small berries with plenty of concentration. And that is exactly what comes through in this majestic Cabernet.

Wine: Paul Hobbs Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard 2018
Score/Rating: 95
Suggested Drinking Window: Best from 2022 through 2036
Review Date: 10/31/2021
Reviewed By: James Molesworth
Tasting Notes: Ripe and vivid, with a lovely display of cassis, plum and anise flavors driving through nicely, while violet and graphite accents add range and length. A light bramble accent underscores it all, adding good energy. A really strong showing. Best from 2022 through 2036.