2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Elysian
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
Absolutely off the charts in every way, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard Elysian is a tiny selection made from the Grand Cru site just outside of St. Helena. Ultra-pure notes of crème de cassis, iron, graphite, chocolate, and a Haut-Brion-like scorched earth character all soar from this magical wine. Possessing full-bodied richness, a deep, layered, flawlessly balanced mouthfeel, and ultra-fine tannins, it just doesn't get any better. Count yourself lucky if you're able to latch onto a few bottles. (There are a scant 200 cases.) It deserves 4-5 years in the cellar and will cruise over the following 2-3 decades. Hats off to Mike Smith for an absolutely world-class wine.
Critic scores
Jeb Dunnuck
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
Readers may recall that from barrel, I had a slight preference for the regular Dr. Crane. Now that the wines are in bottle, I found my preferences reversed, giving an edge to the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard Elysian. The two begin as the same base wine, but winemaker Mike Smith makes a different barrel selection and blend for each. On this occasion, the Elysian wasn't quite as expressive aromatically—ripe cherries and dried-spice notes still abound—but it was even more impressive texturally, being full-bodied, but with a sense of airiness and ineffably silky tannins on the long, elegant finish.
As with the Empyrean release, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard Elysian is a best barrel selection, and it's more reserved and inward compared to the single vineyard, with pure cassis, blueberry, violets, and smoked tobacco aromas and flavors. With plenty of classy background oak, full body, flawless balance, and that rare mix of power and elegance, this is going to need 4-5 years of bottle age to develop additional complexity and will have 20-25 years of overall longevity. It's up with the top handful of wines in the vintage.
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.