Carte Blanche "Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Vineyard" Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
(Napa Valley, California) - [VM 97+] [JD 97] [JS 97] [WS 94]

Carte Blanche Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is our Grand Vin, made to be the finest expression of Oakville we can possibly summon, thanks in part to impeccable farming by Andy Beckstoffer’s team. Deep purple fills the glass like smoke on the water. Fresh and vibrant on the nose, with striking crême de cassis aromas, accented by fig cake, blueberry jam, and mocha. In both the aromas and on the palate, the oak used in this wine’s upbringing is beautifully well-integrated. Mouthfilling, with silky fine tannins, this wine is balanced and harmonious overall, with a finish that seems to last forever. If you need to fill some holes in your cellar, this wine is built with decades to go in the tank. Production is usually limited to 350 cases.

Ratings & Reviews

97 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"Winemaker Helen Keplinger came here in 2014 and has consistently been making beautiful wines. The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Vineyard offers a pretty, medium to full-bodied, more elegant style as well as a terrific array of red, blue, and black fruits supported by floral and violet notes. It has perfectly integrated background oak, fine, polished tannins, and a great finish. It's incredibly impressive, and while it already has some appeal, it's going to evolve for 20 years in cold cellars. (Drink between 2023-2043)" (Dec 2023)

97+ Points - Vinous:
"The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper is a total dream. Sumptuous and racy with notes of blackberry jam, cloves, menthol, licorice and chocolate. The blend of three blocks and three clones (4,144 and 337) is so complementary. The 2021 is magnificent. An archetype of modern Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2021 is super elegant, polished and refined from start to finish. What a knockout. (Drink between 2026-2036)" - AG (12/23)

97 Points - James Suckling:
"This is a very plush and complex wine with blackberry, tobacco and pistachio nut character. The cut-velvet texture is really something and gives a tension and framing to the wine. Extremely long and flavorful, yet always bright and in focus. Needs four or five years to come together. Try after 2028." (6/24)

94 Points - Wine Spectator:
"A flash of menthol gives way quickly to stylish aromas and flavors of violet, plum compote and blackberry preserves. A lovely version, with a hint of licorice snap pumping through the well-toasted finish, where the fruit hangs steadily. Best from 2025 through 2038. 500 cases made." - JM (Oct 2024)