The 2018 Carte Blanche Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper is a striking wine from the renowned Napa Valley in California. Produced by Carte Blanche Wines, this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon exemplifies the quality and character typical of this esteemed region. The wine is cork-sealed and boasts an alcohol content of 14.9%.
James Suckling, a reputable reviewer from jamessuckling.com, awarded the wine an impressive 97 points. He described it as "very intense with spices, walnuts, herbs and plums, as well as blackcurrants." Suckling noted the wine's "agility, freshness and ultra fine tannins that are juicy and flavorful," adding that it has "lots of fruit, but it remains in-check and fresh." He recommended it as drinkable now but suggested it would be even better in two or three years.
Jeb Dunnuck also gave a high score of 97 points on jebdunnuck.com, praising the wine for its "incredible cassis, graphite, damp earth, and violet notes." Dunnuck highlighted the wine’s "full-bodied beauty," its "ripe, seamless tannins," and "flawless balance." He recommended giving the wine four to five years of bottle age, stating it should keep for more than two decades.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate echoed these sentiments, awarding it 97 points and describing the wine's "deep garnet-purple color" and "gregarious notions of baked plums, warm cassis and blueberry compote." The review emphasized the wine's "bright, lively, energetic black fruits" and "firm, super ripe tannins," making it a standout in their assessment.
Antonio Galloni of Vinous also rated it 97 points, noting that the wine is "huge, dense" and "packed with black fruit, chocolate, leather, grilled herbs and earthy tones." He suggested that it has a lot to offer and recommended giving it a few years in the bottle to reach its full potential.
Wine Spectator, while slightly more reserved with a 92-point rating, described it as "showy, with hyperripe boysenberry and fig compote notes" and highlighted a "violet streak in the background that gives it some purity." They suggested that the wine is for fans of the style and recommended drinking it now through 2032.
In summary, the 2018 Carte Blanche Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper is a highly acclaimed wine with robust flavors, ripe tannins, and a balance that promises longevity. Whether enjoyed now or after a few years of aging, it offers a rich and complex tasting experience that has been lauded by multiple esteemed reviewers.