Patent Wines
2023 Cabernet Sauvignon
"Beckstrom"
St. Helena AVA
Auction 29 | Lot No. 79
Vintage: 2023
Patent Wines
Cabernet Sauvignon
St. Helena
5 cases produced
Highlights
- 100% Cabernet from Bob Beckstrom's boutique West Zinfandel Vineyard, maintained and harvested by hand
- Winemaker Tom Rinaldi's 48th harvest, this wine is aging in 100% new French oak for 22 months in barrel
- Displays a very rich garnet color with clean classic Cabernet aromas of cedar, black olive and licorice
- A long, rich finish and a balance that promises very rewarding long term cellaring potential
Description
As has been my pattern for more than four decades, grapes were picked by hand early in the morning when temperatures are cool, and grapes arrive ideally for immediate attention. We triple hand-sort the fruit to avoid raisins, under-ripe berries, leaves and “MOG” (material other than grapes). The crushed grapes go directly to new French oak barrels with almost half the berries un-crushed to cold soak and stabilize. After some days, we gently warm the barrels to temperature to allow the wild native and other yeasts to convert the sugary must to fine wine. Temperature control is absolute, rarely exceeding 85 degrees. We utilize gentle punch-downs of the floating berries to extract color and flavors. Pressing is mild, separating the wine from the skins, and finally all juice undergoes a secondary malolactic fermentation and then aging, allowing the wine to develop and clarify naturally for about 22 months before bottling for your enjoyment.
Wine Facts
- Single vineyard wine
- Sustainably produced
- Organically produced (also commonly called "organically grown")
Tom Rinaldi
Winemaker, Patent Wines
Raised in San Francisco, Tom made frequent trips to Napa on his motorcycle, buying wines directly from the wineries of the day. After four years in the Navy, Tom enrolled at UC Davis along with notable classmates Mike Martini, Tim Mondavi, Randy Dunn, and Bob Levy.
Tom’s career began at Freemark Abbey, an experience he calls “a great job, and a great honor.” In 1978, Tom became the founding winemaker at Duckhorn Vineyards. After 22 vintages of creating some of Napa’s most celebrated wines, Tom continued to build many wineries from the ground up, notably Pellet Estate, Provenance Vineyards and Hewitt . Tom’s 2010 Hewitt Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon was named to the Wine Spectator’s Top 10 in the world for 2013, and the #1 Wine in California. Rinaldi’s 45+ years of Napa Valley wine experience enables him to produce wines that showcase his masterful blend of traditional French techniques with ultra-high premium fruit.
Tom leads all winemaking strategies and cellar responsibilities, vineyard selections and crop management, and masterfully assembles all final blends – bringing his art, science, and nature together in harmony and balance.
Always the avid learner, Tom loves everything from anticipating the vineyards’ seasons to experimenting with new methodologies and technologies, always open to innovative practices alongside traditional methods. Tom resides with his wife and daughter in St. Helena, where you will either find him in the vineyard, the cellar, or riding his bike throughout the Napa Valley.
Country born: USA
Years in the wine industry: 30+ years
Winery Distribution
Patent Wines is distributed in the following markets. Please contact the winery directly for the most up-to-date distribution information and to explore commercial opportunities.
Domestic:
- California (Self)
- Colorado ( Momentum )
- Connecticut (M. Touton)
- Delaware (M. Touton)
- Florida (M. Touton)
- Georgia (RNDC)
- Hawaii (Ohana)
- Illinois (Momentum)
- Maine (M. Touton)
- Maryland (M. Touton)
- Massachusetts (M. Touton)
- Michigan (Wine Pour)
- Nebraska (Quench)
- New Jersey (M. Touton)
- New York (M. Touton)
- North Carolina (M. Touton)
- Pennsylvania (Grapes to Glass)
- Rhode Island (M. Touton)
- Virginia (M. Touton)
- West Virginia (M. Touton)
- Wisconsin (Momentum)
International:
- Canada - Ontario (LCBO)
- Japan (CWC Limited)
- Puerto Rico (Spirits & Co.)