Community Tasting Note

• Yack Man Likes this wine: 96 points

  February 8, 2021 - The 2017 vintage has gotten the bum wrap in my opinion. Many of these high end Napa Cab’s range from very good to down right fantastic, and as usual, Carter Becksoffer’s Cab’s fit the bill, the OG is s fantastic wine. Although it’s a little bit in remission at this stage, it’s still a beautiful wine. The color is a dark, deep purple, a visual invitation with nice viscosity, good legs and meniscus. Taste wise, it’s nicely extracted with elegant dark fruit, black cherry, black and blueberry fruit, cream de cassis, anise, cocoa powder. A nicely focused wine that’s exhibits balance, aromas and flavors. 95-97 Points this time around. Give it time, it’s on a journey to a better place without a doubt. I like it. Unlike Carter OG’s prior to this vintage, this one benefits from a long decanting.

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9 Comments

• Badmonkey commented:

  2/8/21, 8:21 AM - Nice note. How much longer do you think this vintage needs? Still trying to be patient with the few higher-end 2017 cabs that I purchased. Take care.

• Yack Man commented:

  2/8/21, 8:37 AM - I believe Dan, or perhaps Mark, but around five years from release is what they suggested. It’s really kind of hard to say, the wine didn’t open up as fully as l expected (which I didn’t state in my notes), nonetheless, it was an enjoyable bottle. After my experience with this bottle, I wouldn’t hesitate popping another bottle because I like the wine. I believe another year plus should make for a better experience? I still have about 1/3 left, we’ll see where it’s at tonight. Perhaps that will allow me to make a better determination.

• Badmonkey commented:

  2/8/21, 8:59 AM - Thanks - I’ll continue to be patient.

• Jazz Nut commented:

  2/8/21, 9:19 AM - I drank through my 3 bottles sadly, and they were all amazing. Sounds like it may be going into hibernation. I didn't have a bad 2017 Carter--Fortuna and La Verdad were great too. Thanks for the note!!
  
  With that said, I bought more 2018 Carter's than 2017, and have been trying to be patient in light of the differences in vintages. But a recent Fortuna was worth opening--an OG opened a few months ago was extremely primary and a big mistake, IMHO.

• Yack Man commented:

  2/8/21, 9:47 AM - You opened the 2018 Fortuna I assume? I passed on the 2018 Fortuna in light of how inhibited the better Beckstoffers showed at the tasting. Perhaps I should pick up a couple of bottles. I'll have to look at your notes. The OG was great, it was a bit inhibited flavor wise but still a very good wine.

• Jazz Nut commented:

  2/8/21, 9:56 AM - Yes, I recently opened a 2018 Carter Fortuna, I posted a note on Cellar Tracker. I think the 2017 was fantastic, and was surprisingly open and tasty for Spring-Summer 2020, and I actually drank all my bottles during this time. I think the 2018 vintage needs more time, but I don't have regrets opening one. I only bought 3, and will have to make a call whether I get more, or just a few OGs to backfill, since they look to still be available.

• cablover123 commented:

  2/9/21, 4:33 PM - Thank you for the notes Yack. Much like you, I keep telling people that 2017 was not a waste and to give it to me before dumping down the drain. :) I believe that it will benefit with age more so then most Napa Cabs in the past 10+ years. Cheers! Dan

• Yack Man commented:

  2/9/21, 6:45 PM - Absolutely right Cab Lover. Unfortunately the fire branded everyone’s thinking and possibly their palate perception. These are great wines and, as is the case with the 2018 vintage, they just require some cellaring. I’ll take them at a good price anytime. They are definitely not like the 2011 vintage.

• Yack Man commented:

  2/9/21, 6:45 PM - Absolutely right Cab Lover. Unfortunately the fire branded everyone’s thinking and possibly their palate perception. These are great wines and, as is the case with the 2018 vintage, they just require some cellaring. I’ll take them at a good price anytime. They are definitely not like the 2011 vintage.

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