The Philosophy

Wines, like people, are a reflection of their origin and evolution. By selecting three different vineyards with three different expressions of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, the Debate seeks to point out the diversity of terroir that is shown in each of these wines. The Debate defines the notion of terroir as the interaction of a climate, a soil and a plant in a unique location. Vines, like people, develop character from its surroundings and upbringing. Each of these wines will possess their own personality and reflect the different facets from its place in the world.

Bigger than life Jean Hoefliger is the winemaking guru behind these wines. He has partnered with Rob McKay, and they obviously have access to some incredibly great vineyards in Napa in order to produce such world-class wines. Three of the five wines I tasted came from 100% Beckstoffer-owned vineyards, and that generally means amazing materials. - Robert Parker

The Wines

2013 The Debate Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr Crane Vineyard
A Cabernet Sauvignon Dry Red Table wine from
USA, Napa, North Coast, California, USA

The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane again reveals Graves-like, smoky barbecue notes intermixed with wet stones, blueberry and blackberry fruit, a full-bodied opulence, and a sexy, lusty mouthfeel, and to me, the most complexity of any of these wines. There’s something about this vineyard that just seems to hit all the sweet spots on my palate, so I adore just about everybody’s wine that comes from this source. According to Jean Hoefliger, “Dr. Crane has the sexiness and softness of Marilyn Monroe and the eloquence of Mahatma Gandhi.” (As you can imagine, Hoefliger is never short of whimsical statements.)

2013 The Debate Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper
A Cabernet Sauvignon Dry Red Table wine from
USA, Napa, North Coast, California, USA

The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Missouri Hopper, which comes from another Oakville Beckstoffer Vineyard, is spectacular. Opaque purple in color, the wine offers up notes of white chocolate, blackberry and cassis, some subtle background oak, rich, foresty notes, a full-bodied, opulent texture, and terrific purity and overall harmony. It is young and tightly coiled, but this is a stunner that should evolve beautifully for 25-30 years.

2013 The Debate Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard
A Cabernet Sauvignon Dry Red Table wine from
USA, Napa, North Coast, California, USA

The ever-humorous and clever Jean Hoefliger says about the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon, “It has the complexity and depth of Sigmund Freud and the integrity of Abraham Lincoln.” Perhaps my tasting notes can’t say it much better than that. It’s a prodigious Cabernet Sauvignon with notes of charcoal embers integrated with blueberry, blackberry and cassis, some lead pencil shavings, unsmoked cigar tobacco, and a massive, full-bodied mouthfeel with incredible purity, structure and intensity.

The Offer

The Debate wines come in a beautifully presented three pack with one wine from each vineyard. The cost is $480 for each three pack and are not sold separately.

Ordering

For all questions and orders, contact Wine Director, Jeff McCarthy. Let us know if you would like your wine shipped or placed in your wine locker. Sales tax and appropriate shipping will be added to all orders. Allow 2-3 weeks for account processing and shipping. During extreme weather, wine orders may be held until it is safe to ship.

Jeff McCarthy, Wine Director 
[email protected]
707.569.2906