The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard Lpv is very deep purple-black in color with an incredibly perfumed nose of potpourri, lavender and red roses with hints of oolong tea, cigar boxes and fragrant earth over a black cherry, blackberry and warm plums core. Full-bodied, firm and with wonderfully ripe, grainy tannins, it delivers mouth-filling black fruits and an epically long, wonderfully fragrant finish.

Schrader Cellars, established by Fred Schrader in 1998, rose to recognition for dense, luscious Cabernets with an almost syrupy hedonistic textures. In 2017 Schrader Cellars sold to Constellation Brands for $60 million. The 2016 Cabernet from Las Piedras Vineyard (established in 1840), is beautifully balanced and pure cashmere. Yet, unlike many wines that lead with texture, the 2016 is also vividly alive and fresh and engaging. Violet and cassis flavors whirl about in the glass and are juxtaposed against a delicious minerality. Structured for the long term.

98+ Jeb Dunnock

There are two wines from this rocky site located on the western edge of St. Helena, which was purchased by the Beckstoffer family in 1983. Looking first at the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon LPV Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard, which is 100% clone 337 Cabernet Sauvignon aged in new oak, it has a dense, backward style as well as insane minerality in its full-bodied aromas and flavors of black fruits, dark chocolate, violets, and earth. Locked and loaded on the palate, it has a layered, multi-dimensional texture, yet is certainly one of the more backward releases. 98+