2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Dr. Crane Elysian Reserve
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Tasting notes
Another heavenly wine from Smith, the 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard Elysian is a smaller production cuvée that sees a slightly different oak regime compared to the normal release and is raised all in Darnajou and Taransaud barrels. Dense purple-hued, it offers a sensational perfume of darker currants, Haut-Brion-like scorched earth, crushed stone, and violets. Deep, rich, and full-bodied on the palate, it's powerful yet also weightless and expansive, with ultra-fine tannins, no hard edges, and a gorgeous finish. If you don't like this, you don't like wine. Drink this utterly perfect wine over the coming two to three decades. Drink 2025-2055.
Critic scores
Average Score
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, The Wine Independent
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
The flagship 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard Elysian is a step up, with a touch more density and precision. Spicy black and blue fruits, violets, leather, dark chocolate, and a Graves-like scorched earth character all shine here, and it's full-bodied, deep, rich, and concentrated on the palate. It's up with the crème de la crème of the vintage and will drink beautifully over the coming 15 years or so.
The 2022 Beckstoffer Dr Crane Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon ELYSIAN is made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, aged for 22 months in French oak. Deep garnet-purple colored, it needs a lot of shaking to coax out notes of blackcurrant jelly, plum preserves, and licorice, plus hints of tar, Indian spices, and garrigue. Full-bodied, rich, and opulent, the palate delivers lightly chewy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long and spicy.
The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard Elysian—a selection by owner-winemaker Mike Smith based on Darnajou and Taransaud barrels—delivers rich, ripe black cherries and a gentle earthy undercurrent. Full-bodied, deep and concentrated, framed by super-ripe tannins, this finishes lush and dense, with ample length.
About the producer
Mike Smith is one of Napa’s leading winemakers, crafting top-scoring wines for the likes of Quivet, PerChance, Kindred and Flora Springs. Myriad Cellars is his personal label, run with his wife Leah.