2016 Cuvee Le Bec - Beckmen Vineyards

Blueberry compote, dense violet, raspberry puree. Dried cranberry, brambly brush, ripe mission fig. Fresh thyme and anise, dry earth and a touch of limestone. Smushed blackberry leads a packed assortment of dripping dark and red fruit through its paces towards a blasting of nutmeg, cardamom, and clove. Round, full bodied, and fruit forward with ripe tannin and just enough acidity. This 2016 Cuvee Le Bec by Beckmen Vineyards is a dense and succulent Rhone blend from Santa Barbara.

Originally founded in 1994, Beckmen Vineyards is the product of the Beckmen family's quest to produce high quality wine from some of the warmer sub-appellations in Santa Barbara County. Using fruit from their two beautiful properties, the first located in the Los Olivos District and the second in Ballard Canyon, the Beckman team creates a wide range of unique and interesting wine. This bottling, crafted from a blend of fruit from both of their properties, serves as their widely distributed entry level bottling. Despite its modest price tag this stuff is a perfect introduction into the Beckmen style. It has a distinct dense core of ripe blue, black, and red fruit with a dusting of oak spices and a juicy round mouthfeel. Subtle earthy and herbaceous nuances back the saturated fruit to create a big yet nicely balanced wine. Fans of hearty California-style reds are sure to swoon at this wine as well as at the rest of Beckmen's generous reds.