2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard La Verdad

This is a stellar set of 2019s from Mark Carter and winemaker Mike Smith. The highlights are pretty obvious, so I will focus my comments on the new and lesser-known wines. There are two new offerings, The Haze, which is mostly young vines from Fortuna, a stunning new Cabernet from Missouri Hopper. Speaking of Fortuna, it is the wine in this range that offers the most quality for the money, in my view. The wines are, as usual, big, opulent and full of richness. Russell Bevan is the winemaker starting with the 2021 vintage. It will be interesting to see where he takes these wines, which have been consistently among my favorites in the more opulent style of Napa Valley.