PAUL HOBBS BECKSTOFFER DR. CRANE VINEYARD
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
NAPA VALLEY, CALIFORNIA 2020
Why Buy: Decanter lavished it with a 98-point score; Jeb Dunnuck's declared it to be one of the finest wines in the 2020 Napa vintage; and we’re here to tell you: legendary winemaker Paul Hobbs (“the Steve Jobs of Wine,” in the words of Forbes, and the creative force behind Opus One) has once again worked his magic with one of the world's most storied sites, the Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard. And it’s all the more remarkable when you consider the fact that this Cabernet overcame a challenging harvest to reach the top of its class. Any wine from Hobbs, as you know, is richly rewarding, but every so often along comes a bottle from this Napa supernova that's truly special, deserving of both investment and deeper contemplation. This is one of those. And yes, we just have to say it: This Hobbs is a lock!
What They're Saying: "Even in a challenging year like 2020, when many producers opted not to bottle their fruit, this wine radiates balance, pleasure, depth, and curiosity,” Decanter wrote, in its 98-point love letter of a review. "A burst of classic, dusty, iron-like Dr. Crane minerality is accompanied by sagebrush after a cool winter rain, spearmint, and cedar spices. Pure, silken, energetic and layered … [a wine] built for the long haul."
Our Tasting Notes: This deep, inky beauty shows its pedigree from the first pour. The gravelly loam soils of St. Helena speak clearly through notes of scorched earth and tobacco, while waves of black and blue fruits mingle with smoked herbs. The 85% new French oak provides perfect framing, enhancing but never overwhelming the wine's natural opulence and finesse. This is Napa Valley Cabernet at its most profound — powerful yet polished, concentrated yet graceful. A wine to lose yourself in and luxuriate in.
The Story: Few figures in wine possess the transformative power of Paul Hobbs. When Forbes called him "The Steve Jobs of Wine," they weren't just reaching for a clever comparison – they were recognizing a visionary who combines scientific precision with an almost uncanny ability to see potential where others see only convention. His track record speaks volumes: instrumental in creating Opus One, twice named Wine Personality of the Year by Robert Parker, and now the force behind some of California's most celebrated bottles. At a time when others focused on what happened in the cellar, Hobbs developed an innovative scientific methodology that started in the vineyard. This expertise would lead him not just to create benchmark wines in California, but to recognize potential in unexpected places – most notably in Argentina, where his work with Nicolas Catena Zapata helped put that country's wines on the world stage. Today, Hobbs oversees eight wineries across the globe, but it's his restless drive to push boundaries, whether that means pioneering vineyard-designate wines in the early '90s or establishing new projects in emerging regions, like Armenia's Vyots Dzor. Four decades into his career, this visionary American winemaker remains as vital and innovative as ever, constantly seeking new ways to express the purest concept of place through wine.
Fun Fact: The Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard was originally planted in 1858 by pioneering Napa vintner Dr. George Belden Crane. When renowned grape grower Andy Beckstoffer acquired it in 1997, he recognized something special in its gravelly loam soils — a site that would consistently deliver gorgeous Cabernet, almost regardless of producer.
Our Guarantee: As always, we source our wines directly from the winery, ensuring perfect provenance. Given the exceptional critical acclaim and limited production, and given the remarkable esteem in which Hobbs is held, we expect demand to be significant. So don’t delay; order yours today!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Spring 2025. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer not valid in IL, IN, KS, KY, MI, NE, NY, OK & TN. This offer is for TWO WEEKS, or until sold out, and will expire on Tuesday, March 4th, 2025.