disclaimer: Matt sent me this Reserve for my opinion which he seems to respect and an opinion I happily will give. Truly one of the last of the big name Napa Cabs I still purchase. I have followed Becklyn from the very beginning. This one is consistent with the past two releases and well worthy of any aficionados cellar/table. Thanks, Matt!
2015 Becklyn Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Moulds Vineyard- USA, California, Napa Valley (7/17/2017)
Pretty and fragrantly sweet black fruit nose of blackberries, cardamom and pure black cassis, palate shows a cool black fruit profile that attack and with deep layers and amazing deftness. Tremendous poise, this is all elegance and class. Macerated blackberries, black cherries and soft violets on this, mouth-feel is velvety, balance is perfection and tannins are beautifully aligned and built for the long haul. Finish is long and pure, this is wonderfully focused and lithe.
Here is my note for the bottle that Matt supplied to me for an impression as well.
2015 Becklyn Cellars Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Served with 50 Day Dry Aged USDA Prime Coulotte, Manchego Potato Gratin and Sauteed Green Beans
Initial impression on opening the bottle was nose of an oak stave dipped in dark cherries. Decanted the wine in a bubble decanter for four hours. Wine is big and monolithic with a serious dose of oak and fine tannins. Behind the oak are dark fruits with licorice, star anise and a touch of smoke. At six hours, the flavors began to integrate and round out. Think more along the lines of a Rated Growth Paulliac versus a modern Napa Cabernet. Mike Smith has made yet another unique wine that any of his fans should seek out.
For me, the wine is a perfect foil for a wood grilled dry aged steak as it complements the richness and gaminess of the beef. Opening a bottle now will require an all day decant for the wine to show its best. In five years, folks will be greatly rewarded for their patience.
1 - Quality before quantity.
2 - Does Myriad make you laugh too? Their '15 GIII Empyrean production was only 50 cases, Three Twins 100 cases, Napa Valley Cab 100 cases.
2015 was a rough year. Be happy there is anything.
I wasn’t laughing at them or their wines, which I will accept on the basis of praise here as excellent wines. I was laughing at the description of them as a big name.
I think if Mike Smith is making your wine and if it has received fantastic critical praise both professionally and at the novice level while being highly sought and anticipated by drinkers, collectors and yes, even flippers, you have might have earned the name Big Name Wine.
No shortage of criteria unless your mind goes right to Caymus, Stag’s Leap, Yellow Tail or Mondavi when you hear the term Big Name Wines, then I guess I see your point.
Cheers!
