Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper

Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper – One of Napa Valley’s oldest vineyards, Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper yields ripe fruit full of balance and power. Perfectly trellised vines soak up morning fog from the San Pablo Bay, while the robust foliage of the vines protect growing clusters from summer heat. Today the vineyard is planted with some of the valley’s most preeminent Cabernet clones.     

Oakville AVA – Lying along the valley floor, Napa Valley’s Oakville AVA brings the best of climate, soil and topography to wine growing. Beyond the terroir, Oakville is lined with family-owned vineyards, meticulous farmers and winemakers. Fertile soils promote world-class grape growing conditions, while warm summers and dry, cool autumns are perfect for Cabernet Sauvignon.  

Vintage Notes – Defined by abundant winter rainfall and mild summer temperatures, the 2023 vintage saw one of the longest harvests in recent Napa history. An extended ripening period allowed grapes to develop remarkable concentration while preserving vibrant natural acidity and aromatic purity. The resulting wines are deeply expressive, offering exceptional freshness, refined structure, and polished tannins. Widely regarded as a benchmark vintage, 2023 combines immediate appeal with the balance and pedigree for decades of cellaring.    

Accolades –  Jeb Dunnuck, 97+ points | The 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Vineyard is brilliant, and it reminds me of a great vintage of Château Ducru-Beaucaillou with its purity, balance, and elegance. Sporting a deep purple hue, it offers brilliant aromatics of crème de cassis, violets, pencil lead, melted crayon, and smoky tobacco nuances. It hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a pure, beautifully balanced, elegant mouthfeel, plenty of ripe, polished tannins, and nicely integrated acidity. While it clearly offers pleasure today, it deserves 7-8 years of bottle age if you can, and it will see its 40th birthday in fine form. Drink 2032-2065.

Scores Retrospective – 2022 (94+) | 2021 (96) | 2019 (95) | 2018 (96) | 2017 (95)