Freddy R. Troya

9.5

Fait-Main – Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard – Cabernet Sauvignon – 2023
St. Helena – Napa Valley – California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
A single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from the iconic Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard in St. Helena. Crafted by Benoît Touquette (Fait-Main), this 2023 vintage is a powerful yet precise expression of Napa Valley Cabernet, emphasizing vineyard character, concentration, and structural integrity. Las Piedras’ rocky soils and warm site deliver intensity, while Touquette’s restrained hand preserves balance and clarity.

Aromas & Flavors
Dense and focused aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry compote, and ripe plum lead the nose. The palate follows with layers of dark cherry, cassis, graphite, crushed stone, and subtle espresso. Secondary notes of cocoa, cedar, and sweet spice emerge with air, adding depth without overshadowing the fruit.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied and commanding, with firm, muscular tannins that give the wine its signature “bite.” The texture is polished but unapologetically powerful, carrying weight and concentration through a long, structured finish. This is a Cabernet built for longevity rather than immediacy.

Food Pairings
Grilled or dry-aged beef, lamb chops, braised short ribs, or mushroom-driven dishes. Also excellent with hearty, umami-rich preparations that can stand up to the wine’s structure.

Verdict
A serious, no-compromise Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Concentrated, structured, and expressive of both site and winemaker. This is not a casual pour, it’s a wine that demands attention and rewards patience.

Did You Know?
Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard is known for its rocky, iron-rich soils, which naturally limit vigor and contribute to the wine’s intense structure, minerality, and age-worthy tannins.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
This wine has punch and precision. Dark, deep, and unapologetically bold, with a real bite that reminds you that you’re drinking something special. A standout Cabernet that shows why Las Piedras and Touquette are such a formidable combination. — 10 months ago

Rich Bluth

9.0

another typical Ridge winner. easily stood up to the baby back ribs — 6 years ago

Neil Valenzuela

9.2

Medium ruby color. Aromas of dried red fruit, savory herbs and chalky minerals. Amazing black cherry on the palate soft, black tea tannins gives it a nice dry finish. — 7 years ago

Lynn Derbyshire

9.0

Rich, thick, smooth, just yummy!!! A smoky essence that was surprising. Had it with grilled chicken and tomatillo salsa. Divine. would be awesome with a steak or lamb. 8/10/18 — 8 years ago

David Mark

9.1

Macy brought this for Thanksgiving and it's wonderful — 9 years ago

Jack Hagler

9.4

Heavier tannins – nice. Velvety. Tobacco, leather, earthy blueberries. Long finish making me want more, more, more. This is a repeat. — 9 years ago

with Carol

Michael Washabaugh

9.1

Paired well with a lamb, eggplant purée, fava beans, piquolo pepper. Would also pair with a medium rare magret duck or other game. — 11 years ago

Michael Meagher MS

Chairman/Founder Boston Sommelier Society, Beverage Director Cafe Escadrille

9.5

Like seeing an old friend. First winery I ever visited (I was 5), and is always one of my favorite places to visit. Wines are better than ever and Paul Draper is simply a legend. — 11 years ago

Patrick Birch

8.9

2004 vintage. Drank in 2014. Still very drinkable way past its prime. Could it be the native yeasts? — 12 years ago

Des Adams

9.3

Beaver lake beer wine and spirits $5 cooking wine sale. Can't remember if we aerated it — a year ago

Jeremiah Diaz

8.9

Medium ruby in color; black cherries, plums, and cedar on the nose; medium plus acidity; medium tannins, but smooth; tastes like blackberries, cherries, and a hint of bell pepper witha long finish. Not as complex as I would like, but pretty good. — 3 years ago

Ron R

9.3

As a Brit, fish, chips and mushy peas is my signature dish .Yes, the mushy came from a can, which is the primary source. We started with a rosé, but we are now on Switchback, which is opulent and correct. — 5 years ago

with Anne-marie

Ed Lehrman

9.1

A little heavier than I remember but fully mature and fun to drink with friends. — 7 years ago

Michael Seely

9.2

2011. Lots of life to go. Very subtle — 8 years ago

with Joe

Nicki McClung

8.9

Cheap and cheery! — 9 years ago

Mike Smith

Owner/Winemaker Myriad Cellars

9.0

More Cameron funk than normal — 9 years ago

Christopher Beatty

9.0

Full flavor. Not too jammy. — 10 years ago

Rich

9.0

Sold this bottle for about $120, my guest loved it. — 11 years ago

Gianna Fugazi

9.5

Wow! Bright yellow sun gold hues. Smells are herbaceous and iron driven with notes of warm yellow fleshed tomatoes and beeswax. Taste is bright with present salivating acids. Salty notes of sea coast must. — 11 years ago

with Chantal

Paul K

9.1

Between 91-92. Big, dense, peppery, and fun for a not a usually Zin guy. Has boysenberry, blueberry, soy, and funk. Pretty good balance if you don’t consider the fruit. 😉 — 2 years ago

Shengli Hu

9.2

[Sorry couldn't find an entry, logging here Failla 2018 Pearl essence] Single clone - Martini. One taste it surely reminds me of a bottle of Burn Cottage I had a while ago - the same acid lift and acid structure, tomato leaf, sour cranberry, citrusy and bright, red flowers and white + black peppers. 400-500 feet inland, super cool microclimate. Ah it turns out both connected to ted lemon! — 4 years ago

Maggie Harrison

9.4

yes, this is a photo of a computer image. tasted as part of a Mourvèdre wine group tasting via zoom, wines portioned into woozies. 2018v. super aromatic, raspberry/cranberry juice, fresh leather, violet. palate texture is silky, light but complex and flavorful, acid medium +, long tannins- just a bit of grip. fantastic — 6 years ago

Prescott Paulin

8.9

$21.83/btl — 7 years ago

Megan

9.0

I usually tend toward Pinot Noir, but when I want something just a bit bolder, Gamay hits the spot. I have really been enjoying this 2015 vintage. — 8 years ago

Jim Stehli

9.0

Nice fruit — 8 years ago

Raj Harb

9.4

A wine of contradiction. Brilliant ruby w translucent edges. Energetic fruit on the nose, especially present when poured alongside 2010 West ridge. But the palate is all earth and spice. Awesome — 9 years ago

with Jasmine

Nico J. Snyman

9.6

Tried the '90 recently, spoke of how amazing a producer of Californian Cabernet it is, but just needed a little more time, this '85 is well & truly on point, everything is in balance, there's fruit intensity yes, but the development/complexity/layers are really shining through, outstanding stuff. — 10 years ago

Mike

9.1

Quirky but nice — 11 years ago

Phil Stice

9.0

The most burgundy like SC Pinot I've had. Taught red fruits w nutty quality — 11 years ago

Paul Riccomini

8.9

Should pair well with duck. — 12 years ago