75 Wine Thrives on Balanced Flavors
A name such as Beckstoffer opens doors in the wine world. Not as famous as a Mondavi or a Gallo, Andy Beckstoffer’s impact on the Napa Valley nevertheless was huge. He pioneered the development of modern grape-growing during the 1970s and heads up Beckstoffer Vineyards, the largest family-owned vineyard company on California’s North Coast.
View PDF | The Dallas Morning News, Kim Pierce, June 25, 2008Four-time PGA Tour winner Duffy Waldorf
2005 Seventy Five Cabernet Sauvignon “It’s smooth and light in color, yet full-bodied with classical Cabernet flavors (cherries, cranberries, roses).” “This time of year reminds me of Pebble Beach, where I’ve played a dozen Tour events and two US Opens— and where it can feel like winter any month of the year. This wine hails from nearby Lake County just north of San Francisco. It’s one of the first bottles I’ll grab to share with friends on a chilly evening.”
View PDF | Four-time PGA Tour winner Duffy Waldorf has more than 1,800 bottles in his wine collection90 Points - Robert Parker
75 Amber Knolls Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon An excellent value in Cabernet Sauvignon from the Beckstoffer family, this offering indicates that a higher potential for quality exists for Lake County Cabernet than previously believed. A dark ruby/purple color is accompanied by a classic nose of sweet black cherries and cassis (reminiscent of a Rutherford Cab), pleasant spice and smoke characteristics, medium to full body, and silky tannin. This pure, elegant beauty should be consumed over the next 10-12 years.
View PDF | eRobertParker.com, December 200690 Points - Vinfolio
The nose is soft and approachable with hints of dusty chocolate, berry and currant. The palate is nicely formed showing forward fruitiness designed for early drinkability. Beckstoffer’s Amber Knolls Vineyard shows the potential for this developing area to produce solid value priced wines.
View PDF | Doug Wilder, Vinfolio, Issue #104, June 2006Southern Living - Scott Pick of the Week
Sometimes things just fall into your lap. That was defnitely the case for me while attending a wine tasting yesterday when a glass of 75 Wine Co.’s super-tasty Sauvignon Blanc graced the table like an angel sent straight from Heaven. (And its sister wine, Amber Knolls Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, is pretty darn special too.)…
View PDF | Scott Jones, Southern Living, October, 200888 Points - Wine Spectator
Riped pear and citrus notes have a pretty almond skinned note, tropical fruit flavors and a very pleasant grass and lemongrass finish. Strikes the right note with a light body and a juicy finish. Drink Now.
View PDF | MW. Wine Spectator Magazine, November, 2009Wells on Wine, Thoughts on Today's Bottle...
The 2007 Beckstoffer Amber Knolls Cabernet is another fantastic value from the Red Hills area of Lake County… amazingly rich and balanced for a wine at this price level, notes of blackberry and black cherry mix with cedar, oak and pencil lead in the nose… the concentration of fruit is intense, with unexpected cinnamon and bacon fat aspects revealing themselves… balanced by subtle acidity and finished by finely grained tannins… another fantastic value from Mr Beckstoffer!
Curiously, Robert Parker has omitted writing about this vintage in favor of the other Beckstoffer wine “The Sum”, which attracted a glowing note… that might leave a little more of this vintage in the shops…
Taste 8, Nose 8, Value 10
View PDF | Andrew Wells, Wells on Wine, Thoughts on Today's Bottle...A Rookies Words
When I lived in Paris, I tasted the “supposed” best of the best. Even currently living with a sommelier, I can only begin to humbly describe the excitement I felt merely reading the back label. 1975 Beckstoffer Cabernet deliciously brought me back to every moment I lived that year. The bottle opened, was breathing life to each memory.
Upon first breath, the aroma transported me to a sunny vineyard where I clearly felt the love of some wise soul smelling and lovingly tasting each grape until only the perfect was chosen. What entered my soul as the deliciousness completely encompassed me was the reverence to the perfection of the grape, and other mysterious ingredients, handpicking each one with the utmost of care until perfection reached.
Then the tannins reached my tongue…just enough… not too much. The precision of wisdom clearly reached. As the deeper elegant richness enveloped my palate, I was transported to a place where I lay deep and rich on burgundy velvet resting on a featherbed. Melting endlessly, for which I have not words, my soul rested in peace with the silkiness upon my tongue.
I don’t remember 1975 as this grand. Where this gentle cabernet took me, was to a place we only dreamed of then. The velvet memories surpass any reality. It is something only the heart knows. The wisdom of perfection passes on to all those graced to have this vintage touch their lips.
Thank you to Tuck Beckstoffer for reminding me dreams can be bottled and captured, and dreams can indeed live on.
View PDF | Eternally Grateful, Alexandra Olson - San Diego, California