Lithology - Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard 2021 (Pre-arrival)

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"The Lithology wines have always been impressive. These days I see a bit more energy and a bit more focus than in the past. Proprietor Alejandro Bulgheroni sources fruit from a number of Andy Beckstoffer’s top sites and employs several elite consultants, but it is day-to-day winemaker Matt Sands who seems to drive the direction here. The 2021s offer plenty of textural richness, but they aren’t as pushed as they used to be."-Antonio Galloni

Decanter: 99 Points

"Winemaker Matt Sands has turned out perfection from the Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard in St. Helena with his Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc in 2021. Here, a barrel sample offers Cabernet Sauvignon as 92% of the blend, with Cabernet Franc filling out the rest. In the typical Lithology style, this is an inky black wine with a sumptuously silky and satiny profile, but in 2021, there is freshness, lift, and tension. The full-bodied palate offers fine, intricate tannins that are assertive yet harmonious with the dark berry fruit. At the same time, a rich vein of iron-like minerality and earth mingles with fragrant cedarwood, herbs and slivers of dark chocolate on a long and satisfying finish—polished, expressive, and delicious, all from an exceptional site in a terrific vintage. I am absolutely a candidate for a 100-point wine and will taste it again in the early months of 2024."-Jonathan Cristaldi

Jeb Dunnuck: 98 Points

"Another absolute blockbuster from this singular vineyard just outside of St. Helena, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Lithology Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard is based on 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Cabernet Franc brought up mostly in oak, with about a fifth in stainless steel. It's one of the bigger, richer wines in the vintage and has a thrilling bouquet of bloody black and blue fruits, iron, spring flowers, and chocolate. Powerful, full-bodied, deep, rich, and concentrated, with incredible extract and density in its aromas and flavors, this insanely good wine has velvety tannins, an incredible mid-palate, and a great finish. Don't miss it. It's gorgeous today, will be insanely good in 4-5 years, and I suspect have 40 years of overall longevity."-Jeb Dunnuck

Wine Advocate: 97 Points

"My favorite of the current offerings from Bulgheroni is the 2021 Lithology Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard. It's slightly smoky-oaky on the nose, offering pungent licorice and peppery notes over its deep base of cassis fruit. Full-bodied, it's rich and concentrated, with a long, plush, velvety finish."-Joe Czerwinski