Mission Codename Were you followed?
96 points! The one and only Georges III in Rutherford! Under $100!
Weâre writing this from our hidden bunker in an undisclosed location. Why? Andy Beckstoffer might have a roving gang of henchmen scouring the land for us. After all, selling any wine with his name on it for under $100 just isnât done. Man, I knew we shouldnât have put that âTop Secret HQâ sign out front of the officeâŚ
See what we do for you?! Our necks, literally on the line. We really needed to get this bad boy in your hands by accepting this most perilous missionâŚ
Beckstofferâs Georges III Vineyard was established by Georges de Latour (of Beaulieu Vineyards fame) in 1928 and soon tended by none other than the legendary AndrĂŠ Tchelistcheff. Today the famous site in Rutherford breeds some of the worldâs top Cabs for the likes of Schrader, Purlieu, Myriad, as well as many others. Prices routinely soar well above $200.
At Krutz, they do all the right things. Hand-picked fruit from exceptional vineyards. New French Oak fermenters from Taransaud. Gravity-fed, free-run-only juice into the most expensive barrels that smell and taste toasty and rich, just how you like it. They spare no expense and routinely get well-deserved high scores.
And this one? No exception. Youâre in for a BOMBASTIC BEAST of a Cab here. Dark black and red fruit. PILES, stacks, loads of it. Scrooge McDuck type richness. Weâre talking dark cocoa dusted cherries, warm blueberry jam. Violets and crème de cassis! Sandalwood, fresh pipe tobacco, and vanilla bean. Complex as heck, just a massive display of opulent fruit with fine tannins and a lengthy finish. As Jeb says, it can go another 20 years, EASY. If youâre opening it young, this puppy needs serious air, a few hours at least. Marinate the tri-tip, skewer the kebabs, chop the salad, whip the dressing, weâre on our way.
Alright, time to bust out of the bunker and face the music. Itâs starting to feel stuffy in here!
In the meantime, lie low and act fast!
96 Points â Jeb Dunnuck
âThe 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Vineyard Georges III is 100% Cabernet that spent 22 months in 90% new French oak. This is a historic, larger vineyard, and the 2018 has a great nose of ripe, darker fruits, caramelized redcurrants, incense, and spice. I love its complexity, and it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a round, elegant texture, moderate tannins, and beautiful length on the finish. A classic, impeccably made wine, it will evolve for 20 years or more. Drink 2021-2042.â
Tasting Profile
Darker fruits, caramelized redcurrants, incense, spice
Look | Super deep and dark, barely a rim there, did someone turn the lights off? |
---|---|
Smell | Warm blueberry jam, violets, crème de cassis, sandalwood, fresh pipe tobacco and vanilla bean |
Taste | Cocoa dusted cherries, dark black, and red fruit, piles, stacks, loads - Scrooge McDuck richness |
Finish | Complex as heck, just a massive display of opulent fruit with fine tannins and a lengthy finish |
Pairing | Marinate the tri-tip, skewer the kebabs, chop the salad, whip the dressing, weâre on our way |
What the Winery Says
2018 Beckstoffer Georges III Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon
- Winemaker
- Patrick Krutz
- Varietal
- 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
- Vintage
- 2018
- Appellation
- Rutherford, Napa Valley
- Vineyard
- Beckstoffer George III Vineyard
- Alcohol
- 14.8%
- pH
- 3.8
- Harvest date
- September 25, 2018
- Aging
- 22 months
- Barrels
- 80% new French oak by Taransaud