Carter Cellars Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard - 'La Bomba' 2023
Tasting Notes
From the former blocks of Beckstoffer Las Piedras contracted by Schrader Cellars known as 'Colesworthy', 'La Bomba' is a unique expression of clone 337 from the northwestern part of the vineyard right near the dry creek bed. Dense and purple-hued, with loads of black cherry, dark plum and stone fruit matched with mocha, dried herbs and an impression of wet stone. While this is a powerhouse of a wine, loaded with fruit and richness, it still glides across the palate with little sensation of weight until it finishes with silky ultra-fine tannins and intriguing complexity.
"From the former blocks of Beckstoffer Las Piedras contracted by Schrader Cellars (Colesworthy), 'La Bomba' is a unique expression of clone 337 from the northwestern part of the vineyard right near the dry creek bed. Dense and purple-hued, with loads of ripe black cherry fruit matched with mocha, dried tobacco and an impression of wet stone. While this is a powerhouse of a wine, loaded with fruit and richness, it still glides across the palate with little sensation of weight until it finishes with silky ultra-fine tannins and intriguing complexity."
97 Points ~ Jeb Dunnuck
Map of the Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard
The History of the Las Piedras Vineyard
Dating back to the Mexican land grants, the Las Piedras vineyard is considered to be the first vineyard planted in what is now the St. Helena AVA. In 1983 Beckstoffer Vineyards purchased the property and planted it to two clones of Cabernet Sauvignon with modern trellising. Impressed with the quality of the gravelly soil, the farm workers named the vineyard Las Piedras, which means the stones or little pebbles. The vineyard sits at the base of Sulfur Creek on the southwest outskirts of St. Helena. With a gentle slope, the site belongs to the fan-shaped flood plain created by run-off from Sulfur creek and the hillsides above. Riddled with rocks, the soil is porous and provides ideal support for the vines and when matched with excellent farming techniques, the result is remarkable dense and concentrated fruit.
