The esteemed Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard is truly special. Only a handful of wineries have the privilege of receiving this special fruit and not long ago Arrow & Branch joined the ranks of Memento Mori and Realm (to name a couple) in the honor of making 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, good tannin structure; a complete wine with many layers. It has proven to be one of the finest vineyard sites in Saint Helena. We have said it before, and believe us when we do, it is one of our favorite vineyards in the valley.
Only 175 cases were produced in the 2016 vintage, a single vineyard designate bottling from the Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard and made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Jennifer Williams, who brilliantly makes wines with her husband Mark Porembski of Anomaly for their Zeitgeist label, took on the winemaking position at Arrow & Branch after working with such distinguished mentors as Rosemary Cakebread and David Abreu at Spottswoode. This vintage displays distinctive characteristics of the historic Dr. Crane Vineyard; seducing floral aromas of violets and dried lavender, sun-kissed blueberry and cherry fruit. This expression of pure Cabernet is youthful and sweet. Built to develop with time, this wine has blueberries, blackberries and cherries as if baked into a rich pie. It is insanely aromatic with notes of vanilla, anise and clove. A floral touch of fresh black pepper adds aromatic diversity. It's inky yet well balanced and slight dusty character and subtle notes of black tea are reminiscent of California's Cabernet growing legacy of which this historical vineyard is a cornerstone.
