Carter Cellars 2021 Cabernet Beckstoffer Las Piedras “La Verdad” Napa Valley 100 Points

IWR 100 Points: “The 2021 ‘La Verdad’ is an absolute stunner out of the Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard. It immediately starts off by displaying an impressive dark, inky color, which is followed by seductive aromas of ripe dark currants, black cherries, and blueberries, which are accompanied by fresh violets, exotic spices, graphite, dark chocolate, and dried tobacco nuances that all take shape and burst from the glass. On the palate, this is full-bodied, structured, and layered, with outstanding overall depth and concentration. It goes on to impress as it displays a wonderfully rich texture all the way through the sensational long, opulent finish that ties everything together beautifully. An absolute gem from Carter Cellars and winemaker Russell Bevan, which is already absolutely captivating, however, should also offer a lengthy drinking window that will span the course of three decades.”

Jeb Dunnuck 99 Points: “In comparison to the Los Compadres, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard La Verdad is darker, more closed, and reserved, yet is clearly loaded with potential. Ripe blue fruits, scorched earth, darker chocolate, green tobacco, baking spices, and beautiful spring flower notes define the aromatics, and it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a seamless, pure, graceful mouthfeel, ultra-fine tannins, and a gorgeous finish. This is clearly a more elegant, nuanced expression of the cuvée from Bevan that benefits from a decant if drinking any time soon. It will ideally be given 4-5 years of bottle age and will have 2-3 decades of overall longevity”

Winemaker Notes: “One of our most highly sought-after wines, the 2021 ‘La Verdad’ is an extremely low-production wine from our original block of stressed vines on the Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard. Inky and dark in the glass, the nose emits a show-stopping rush of mouth-watering black cherry and blue fruits. The first taste is a pleasurable attack on the senses, bursting with concentrated dark black and blue fruits, mixed with crushed earth and spicy floral undertones. Year after year, the underlying structure and minerality result in a muscular but well-balanced Cabernet. A full-bodied mid-palate reveals finely integrated tannins that lift the overall backbone of the wine and ends with a textured and lengthy finish.”