An incredibly complex Cabernet from Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Vineyard, revealing a decadent nose of blueberry, boysenberry, dark cherry, and cassis. The palate is polished and silky, layered with notes of bay laurel, cigar box, and tobacco lifted by bright acidity.
- Jesse Katz, Winemaker

This land was purchased by Charles Hopper in 1877 as a gift for his daughter, Missouri. Shortly thereafter, grapevines were planted, along with prunes and walnuts, which were prevalent local crops at the time. Today, under the watchful eye of the Beckstoffer team, multiple clones of Cabernet Sauvignon are tended in this sought-after Heritage Vineyard.

Our winemaker, Jesse Katz, was able to secure fruit from one of the top blocks in the vineyard, and works closely with the Beckstoffer team to farm our rows with the latest canopy management techniques to encourage precise ripening conditions. Our goal is to harvest fruit at the peak of ripeness with exquisite balance.

In the winery, the fruit is hand-sorted three times before a final optical sorting. Fermentation in conducted in both stainless steel and concrete tanks at a range of temperatures to allow different nuances to emerge. A careful selection of "medium-long" toast barrels provide the beguiling aromatic elements of a longer toast with the framing tannins we desire on the palate for Georges III. Elevage was 22 months and the wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered.

Beckstoffer Vineyard Georges III is one of Napa’s preeminent heritage vineyards, with records indicating the land was planted to vine in 1895 by Mrs. Thomas Rutherford. First purchased by Beaulieu founder Georges de Latour in 1928, and named Beaulieu Vineyard #3, it was a primary source of BV’s legendary Rutherford Cabernets made by the renowned winemaker Andre Tchelistcheff in the 1960’s and 70’s, establishing BV’s reputation as one of the great producers of fine Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Acquired by Andy Beckstoffer in 1988, the vineyard was replanted with new Cabernet Sauvignon clones, employing tighter vine spacing and advanced trellising systems.