Along with Richard Sanford, Steve Beckmen has been one of the leaders of organic and biodynamic grape farming in the Santa Ynez Valley…and he has quite the bevy of high scores to show he’s doing things right! The Beckmen family’s Cabernet comes predominantly from the estate surrounding their winery in Los Olivos, as the gravelly, well-drained soil and warm climate is a perfect match for Cabernet Sauvignon. Planted on the hilltops and slopes of the property where vines struggle the most, the resulting grapes have greater complexity and more intense flavors due to the minimal amount of topsoil. The vineyard is also planted with higher density to moderate the amount of fruit each vine has to ripen. Beckmen also buys a small amount of fruit from like-minded growers in Santa Ynez.
The warm vintage has brought us a SYV Cabernet that is firing right out of the gate. The fun nose tantalizes with aromas of cherry cordial, red currant, and hibiscus. The palate offers complex layers of juicy dark berries, chocolate truffle, light tobacco, and spruce tips. Fine tannins heighten the flavors but yield to a refreshing finish of wild strawberry, licorice, and forest dew. The flavors will continue to integrate, evolve, and surprise for 15+ years, but it’s a gorgeous wine today.