One of the wines I supplied for an annual lunch hosting (co-host this time). I was really hesitant to open this given the fanfare of this specific wine, but also how DrCrane can be an in-between wine for me (so explosive young, shut down at 5-10yrs, re-open 10+). Decanted two-three hours.
Classic deep purple-black DrCrane in the glass. Aromatics are immediate with ripe blue and black fruits, baking spices, mocha and graphite. Just a little bit of high-toned EA to make it pop, along with this roasted character I always get from DrCrane wines. Opulent and polished in every way on the palate, this is a tidal wave of flavor with no hard edges. It’s a towering wine in the sense of so much concentration and depth on the mid-palate, but it’s so incredibly polished at the finish…almost shockingly so. The ripe fruits and the dark chocolate linger longer than any Napa cab I can remember. Iron first in a velvet glove.
No need to worry, these are open for business. Plenty of structure to carry a while, but this window seems like it was made for how this wine is drinking now. — 7 months ago
Uhhh, quite the mind-blowing bottle. The finesse of this build is pure class. The oak is prominent but is a Prince Charming to Cinderella’s sweet perfect vintage fruit set. Tropical and touch floral with an amazing Meyer lemon & crème brûlée finish (that is silky/long). Top shelf build :) — 4 years ago
One of the best wines and Cabernets in the tasting. Made by Sam Kaplan. 95-97 with 10 years of proper cellaring.
It is blended from the following sites; Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard, Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard, Vine Hill Ranch Vineyard, Weitz Vineyard, and Oakville Ranch Vineyard. Not inexpensive $300.
The name, Memento Mori, is taken from an ancient Latin philosophy that reminds us of our mortality and the inevitability of death. So, forgo patience, I guess?
WS Grand Tour Las Vegas 2025. — 6 months ago
So unique, so reminiscent of French Syrah. Devastating that the vines no longer exist. Funky, earthy, vibrant with such soft minerally tannin. Lovely and matched with the eye fillet perfectly. — 9 months ago
2018, bought at winery in 2019
Perfect for a steak night.
Blend of Cab Sauv, Franc, merlot, & verdot.
Would buy again — 10 months ago

This wine is absolutely gorgeous! Give it a 30 min rest in the glass. Bright ripe fruit nose. Silky mouthfeel, the perfectly ripe black and blue fruit comes forth, followed by intense minerality, soft yet grippy tannins leaving a slightly chalky mouthfeel. So elegant, such finesse. Graphite, black licorice, blueberry pie, baking spices, hint of mocha. Superb medium-long finish. It’s this experience that makes Dr Crane one of my favorite vineyards. Absolutely love this wine and this vineyard! — 6 months ago
A decent Cab Sauv from the Estate Salvestrin specifically out of the Dr. Crane Vinyard in St. Helena, Napa. It’s composed of 83% Cab Sauv, 10% Merlot, and 7% Cab Sauv. It’s deep and intense of baked dark cherry on the nose, great texture on the palate and pretty silky mouthfeel. Tannins are structured and smooth. Great overall. It can age beautifully! — 8 months ago
Ron from VA
Loved the maturation on this bottle at nine years old: Sturdy and structured. Concentration of ripe red fruit plus plenty of phenolic verve. A fantastic representation of a masculine Virginia CF — a month ago