2023 Carter Cellars 'La Bomba - Beckstoffer Las Piedras' Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
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.
Wine Advocate
From the section of the vineyard that used to go into Schrader's Colesworthy bottling, Carter's 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras La Bomba is a terrific-looking sample, loaded with complex notions of licorice, black cherries, plums and other stone fruit. Full-bodied in the mouth, it's rich and supple, really lush and long on the finish. It's hedonistic stuff for sure, but with enough complexity and character to rate as substantially more than that. (JC)
Jeb Dunnuck
Coming from Schrader's old blocks (Colesworthy) and the furthest northwest portion of the vineyard, the 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard La Bomba is sourced from a great site on the western side of St. Helena and offers ripe black cherries, chocolate, smoky tobacco, and savory flowers. It's ripe and medium to full-bodied, with a seamless, layered, pure, and graceful mouthfeel that carries through to a great finish. It shines for its complexity and will cruise for two decades.