Arrow & Branch Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2012

The esteemed Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard is exceptional. Only a handful of wineries have the privilege of receiving this special fruit. In 2012 Arrow & Branch joined the ranks of Memento Mori and Realm (to name a couple) in honor of making wines from this historic vineyard. Originally planted in 1858 by Napa pioneer Dr. George Belden Crane, this vineyard was purchased in 1997 and replanted in 1998 by renowned grape grower Andy Beckstoffer to Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc. With extremely well-drained, gravelly soils, Dr. Crane has everything you look for -- minerality, complexity, excellent fruit definition, good tannin structure; a complete wine with many layers. It has proven to be one of the finest vineyard sites in Saint Helena. And we have said it before, and believe us when we do, it is one of our favorite vineyards in the valley. 

The 2012 is the inaugural vintage for Arrow & Branch using fruit from the Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard as a single vineyard designate bottling and is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Jennifer Williams, took on the winemaking position at Arrow & Branch after working with such distinguished mentors as Rosemary Cakebread and David Abreu at Spottswoode. This vintage displays distinctive characteristics of the historic Dr. Crane Vineyard; seducing floral aromas of violets and dried lavender, sun-kissed blueberry, and cherry fruit. The palate is gorgeously rich and creamy with silky milk chocolate, sweet baking spices, and ripe plummy fruit. This wine is quintessential St. Helena Cabernet and boasts a complete and balanced experience from beginning to end. Both approachable and age-worthy, it is rich, dense, and powerful with a velvety texture and a long, luscious finish. 288 cases produced.