2015 Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras La BAM
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Carter got access to some new rows in this St. Helena site in 2015, and their 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard La BAM was the first vintage for this cuvée. Being closer to the creek and a slightly warmer spot, this beauty offers a fruit-forward, concentrated, sexy style that's very much in the style of the vintage. Ripe blue fruits, chocolate, incense, toasted spice, and graphite define this insane fruit bomb of a wine that stays balanced, has full-bodied richness, ripe tannins, and a great finish. It's going to evolve for another 10, 15, maybe 20 years, but I see no need to hold off.
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Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
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The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer La Bam Las Piedras Vineyard oozes with character. Crushed rocks, gravel, smoke, game and tobacco, along with the firm tannins typical of this site, give the wine its super-distinctive personality. Dark, inward and brooding, the 2015 offers an intriguing contrast between the richness of the vintage and the natural structure of Las Piedras that will be fascinating to follow over the next 15-20 years.
The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard La Bam displays a deep garnet-purple color and expressive nose of crushed mulberries, plum preserves and cassis with suggestions of chargrill, sautéed herbs and licorice plus a touch of cedar chest. Full-bodied and built like a brick house in the mouth, it has a firm frame of grainy tannins and great freshness supporting the taut, muscular fruit, finishing with lingering aniseed and meaty notions.