The 2019 Carte Blanche Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper is a distinguished wine hailing from Napa Valley, California. Produced by Carte Blanche Wines, this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon showcases the exceptional quality of the Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Vineyard, nestled against the Mayacamas in Oakville. The wine boasts an alcohol content of 14.9% and is sealed with a cork closure.
This vintage has garnered impressive reviews across the board, each highlighting its unique qualities. Antonio Galloni of Vinous awarded it a score of 97, describing it as "fabulous" with "tremendous density and vibrancy." Galloni notes the wine's "copious blue purplish fruit, gravel, licorice, menthol, violet, and spice" that create a "sumptuous, full-bodied" experience with nearly buried tannins due to the luxurious fruit.
Jeb Dunnuck, also giving it a score of 97, praises the 2019 vintage for its "open and sexy" nature. Dunnuck highlights its "mostly opaque ruby/plum color" and a "great bouquet of ripe red and black currants, lead pencil shavings, spice box, tobacco, and hints of violets." He commends its "round, expansive mouthfeel, velvety tannins, and a great finish," calling it a "beautiful, layered, rich, yet also elegant Cabernet Sauvignon" with the potential to age well over the next two decades.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate also rated this wine 97 points, describing it as epitomizing "the current state of plush, valley-floor Napa Cabernet." Reviewer JC mentions that the wine, from a "famous Oakville site," is "wonderfully lush and velvety," featuring "cassis and black cherry fruit" enhanced by "100% new French oak," which adds "gentle vanilla and cedar nuances." The palate is "deep and intense yet manages to be soft and elegant on the long, mouthwatering finish."
Wine Spectator, with a slightly lower but still remarkable score of 96, describes the wine as "well-packed with dark currant, fig and boysenberry compote flavors." The wine is noted for its "muscular and grippy" texture, with hints of "charcoal, roasted apple wood and warm earth," and an "espresso crema accent on the finish." The publication suggests that this wine is best enjoyed from 2024 through 2038, with only 500 cases made.
In summary, the 2019 Carte Blanche Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper is a highly acclaimed wine, praised for its rich, complex flavors, and luxurious texture. It stands as an excellent example of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, with the potential to age gracefully over the years.