Crocker and Starr "Stone Place" Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
(St. Helena, Napa Valley, California) - [ST 90+]

This highly collectable wine is “St. Helena” in its purest form; 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot from the heart and soul of the 36 year old vines grown on the legendary Crocker Estate.

'Pam Starr knocked this vintage out of the park! Starr was able to showcase a very elegant expression of 2011 by striking the precise balance of fruit concentration and wine structure. A very pretty wine indeed.' - Sur Lucero, Master Sommelier

Tasting Notes

Deep garnet in color with a bright ruby red edge. Floral aromas of fresh violets and dried red rose petals. Complex notes of cedar, baking spice, star anise, mocha, toasted almond and graphite. Fresh black plum on the palate with wild blueberry, ripe dark cherry, huckleberry and black raspberry. The texture of this 2011 is supple and silky with mouthwatering acidity and a long, luscious finish. Approachable and will age for 15+ years.

Ratings & Reviews

90+ Points - Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar:
"(includes 5% petit verdot, which Pam Starr says "chested up the cabernet sauvignon but is keeping the wine slow to open"): Bright medium ruby. Complex aromas of cassis, plum, violet, dark chocolate and espresso accented by a peppery element. An intensely flavored, pungent midweight, with peppery acidity enlivening the dark berry, violet and spice flavors. Finishes with tongue-dusting tannins and good mineral persistence. Starr finds this wine "massive," but today it strikes me as tight and shut down. She notes that the addition of 5% 2012 juice contributed to the wine's floral component." -Stephen Tanzer (May/Jun 14)

Antonio Galloni's Vinous:
"The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Stone Place is a huge, massive wine, almost unnaturally so considering the vintage. Black fruit, smoke, French oak and spices all flesh out in a rich, voluptuous wine with tons of intensity and massive tannins. Frankly, this is a hard wine to understand. " -Antonio Galloni (November 2013)