Arrow&Branch Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard Petit Verdot St. Helena 2019

Arrow&Branch founders Steve and Seanne Contursi have always shared a great love for the wines from Bordeaux and began their romance while traveling through this French winegrowing region in the mid-1980s. Decades later, they established their Coombsville domaine to produce boutique and top-quality Bordeaux-inspired wines from the gorgeous Napa Valley landscape. Lovingly called ~ Arrow&Branch ~ the name is a nod to the study and collection of rare coins. On one side of most US coins is an eagle holding an olive branch and arrows in its talons. Steve's passion for coins began at the age of seven as a paperboy whose earnings came in the form of coins. Eventually, he took his childhood hobby and started one of America's most respected and renowned numismatist dealerships: Rare Coin Wholesalers.

In the fall of 2007, Steve and Seanne purchased a vineyard property in the heart of Coombsville from Napa Valley legend Tony Soter, the source of Soter's renowned and highly rated "Little Creek" Cabernet Franc. As avid wine collectors and entrepreneurs, Steve and Seanne set out to make wine from this exceptional land and hired the best vineyard manager and best winemaker to share in their dream. Enter esteemed viticulturist Michael Wolf and highly regarded winemaker Jennifer Williams (formerly of Araujo, Abreu, and Spottswoode), who joined the team in April 2011. As you can see, Jennifer has been mentored and coached by the Who's Who of Napa Valley, so it's safe to say you are in the best hands possible when claiming this Arrow&Branch wine a gem!

The Arrow&Branch team not only crafts distinguished wines from their estate vineyards, but they seek notable sites throughout Napa Valley to showcase the region's distinct terroir. One such property is the esteemed Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard. Only a handful of wineries have the privilege of receiving this exceptional fruit, and Arrow&Branch is among the ranks of wineries like Memento Mori, Realm, and TOR wines, which are honored to make 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, and good tannin structure. It has proven to be one of the finest vineyard sites in Saint Helena.

Traditionally, Petit Verdot is blended with other Bordeaux varietals to add depth, structure, and color to the wines. The namesake "petit" berries of this grape cause a higher skin-to-juice ratio, which results in more prominent tannins and deeper hues. As primarily a blending grape, fewer vines are planted in the valley; however, Arrow&Branch has crafted a 100% Petit Verdot from the Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard, putting the powerful varietal on display. They produced solely 22 cases of this wine, and until now, it has remained available only to their mailing list members. Sadly, the last vintage was crafted in 2022, making it even rarer and more exclusive. "A brooding and complex bouquet unfolds gradually, showcasing crushed blackberries, blackcurrant compote, and dark plums. Earthy undertones of graphite, tar, and wet river stones emerge, interwoven with notes of cigar box, truffle, and a whisper of violets. Full-bodied and commanding, the palate delivers an opulent medley of ripe black and blue fruits, layered with iron ore, cold fireplace embers, and hints of dark chocolate. The structure is formidable yet refined, with fine-grained tannins lending a velvet-like texture to the wine’s powerful frame." ~Winemaker notes