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Beckmen
David
and I just returned from the 2007 Hospice du Rhone event in Paso Robles,
California. A “must” on any wine geek’s travel itinerary, this year’s HdR
confirmed many of my long-held opinions: 1) I’d rather have a syrah than a
comparably priced cabernet sauvignon --- anytime!; 2) Great (domestic)
grenache is hard to find; and 3) The Santa Ynez Valley’s Ballard Canyon is
the “sweet spot” for Rhone varieties --- incredibly consistent --- almost a
guaranty of a high quality wine.
Ballard Canyon, a north-south corridor located behind that kitchy-village of
Solvang, is “ground zero” for rhone varietals. There are four great sites:
Larner, Stolpman, Tierra Alta and Purisma Mtn. At the southern end is the
sandy soils of the meticulously farmed Larner Vineyard. Larner has been on
our radar screens after being blown away by syrahs (and grenache) from
Bonaccorsi, Kaena, Tensley and Herman Story. Moving northward, the soil
becomes more chalky --- the white limestone outcroppings on the hillsides
are clearly visible. Here you find Tierra Alta ( a favorite of Kaena) and
Beckmen’s (bio-dynamically farmed) Purisma Mountain Vineyard.
We’re
excited to welcome Beckmen Vineyards to our portfolio of fine wines. Steve
Beckmen welcomes back Hawaii-born and raised winemaker Mikael Seguine and is
at the forefront of producing the finest Rhone varietals from his
spectacular, bio-dynamically farmed Purisma Mountain Vineyard planted at
elevations up to 1,250 feet.
#79054
Estate Syrah 2005
12/750
$225.00/Case
$18.75/Btl.
100%
estate grapes from Purisima Mountain Vineyard and their estate vineyard in
Los Olivos. Yields were limited to 2.5 tons per acre in this long growing
season. The wine was barrel aged for 12 months in 40% new French oak and 50%
one to three year old barrels, and 10% neutral. The wine was bottled
unfined and unfiltered.
#79052
Cuvee Le Bec 2005
12/750
$168.00/Btl.
$14.00/Btl.
A
Southern Rhone style blend of four of the classified grapes of Chateauneuf
du Pape (53% Grenache, 34% Syrah, 8% Mourvedre, 5% Counoise) grown in their
Bio-Dynamically farmed Purisima Mountain Vineyard. The Grenache attacks the
front palate and fills the aromatics with bright berry fruit, the Mourvedre
and Syrah fill the mid palate and finish darkening the fruit, adding spice,
while the Counoise provides a supple silky texture. The wine was barrel
aged for 15 months in 15% new French barrels and 85% neutral barrels.
Bottled unfined and lightly filtered.
#79050
Cuvee Le Bec Blanc 2005
12/750
$204.00/Case
$17.00/Btl.
Appealing for its aromas of toasted almonds, white peach and spice. Flavors
are focused, with a distinct minerality, and offer a hint of oily richness
on the finish. Roussanne, Marsanne and Grenache Blanc. 750 cases made.
#79056
Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
12/750
$225.00/Cs.
$18.75/Btl.
Cabernet from this less appealing zip code equals a great value! The warm
2004 vintage is their third Cabernet Sauvignon ( 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10%
Merlot, 2% Syrah ) made solely from grapes grown on their Purisima Mountain
vineyard. The wine was barrel aged for 21 months in 60% neutral barrels and
40% new French and American oak and was bottled unfined and unfiltered.
#79058
Purisma Mountain Vineyard Syrah 2004
6/750
$202.50/Case
$33.75/Btl.
Steve
Beckmen began farming his vines biodynamically several years ago, converting
the entire vineyard by 2006. His 2004 syrah is hard to resist, a selection
of the best lots from Purisima Mountain, planted at elevations up to 1,250
feet. The fruit ripened to a plumy succulence and a mouthwatering freshness
that more than holds its own against substantial coffee and chocolate
influences of oak. It feels both tightly built and luscious...
Aloha,
Alan