A Continuation of Partnership

B Cellars Beckstoffer Carneros Lake Vineyard Chardonnay

For more than two decades, B Cellars has partnered with the iconic Beckstoffer Vineyards, crafting single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc from each of the six Beckstoffer Heritage sites. These vineyards are among the most celebrated in the world. They have become synonymous with pedigree, precision, and preservation. Yet beyond these renowned blocks, Beckstoffer farms over a thousand additional acres across Napa Valley, cultivating a diverse range of varietals with the same uncompromising attention to detail.

Unlike many in the industry, Beckstoffer is singularly focused on farming. They do not produce wine themselves; instead, they dedicate their expertise to growing exceptional fruit for wineries that share their commitment to quality. Every decision in the vineyard, from rootstock to vine spacing, is guided by a deep understanding of each site’s terroir, soil composition, and microclimate. The result is fruit that authentically expresses its origin. In Carneros, with its cooler climate tempered by cooler air and fogs rolling in off of the San Pablo Bay and heavier, clay-based soils, Beckstoffer has selected Merlot and Chardonnay to plant in their contiguous Las Amigas and Carneros Lake Vineyards.

The cool, rolling lowlands of Carneros run from the highway to the wetland shores of San Pablo Bay. Morning fogs routinely shroud the vines, and the Bay keeps temperatures more even than we experience up the Valley. This consistent coastal climate allows the grapes to have long hang time, developing rich, palate-filling flavors balanced by bright acidity. We offer this bottle as a continued testament to the high standards of excellence in viticulture practiced by the Beckstoffer family and to their dedicated preservation of vineyard sites in the Napa Valley.

2024 Beckstoffer Carneros Lake Vineyard Chardonnay

Rich and expressive, the nose opens with layered aromatics of butterscotch, lemon curd, and crème brûlée, complemented by hints of cinnamon toast, farmers cheese, and aged brie that add savory complexity. On the palate, the wine shifts beautifully to a bright, focused, and tightly structured profile, driven by vibrant acidity and fresh fruit flavors of Asian pear, Jonathan apple, mandarin, and honeydew melon, alongside mineral notes of wet slate and graphite. Full-bodied with significant palate weight, and secondary fruit flavors reminiscent of baked apple pie and fruit crisp. It finishes with chalky tannins and long, lingering acidity. Overall, it’s a striking contrast of richness and freshness; opulent on the nose, lively and fruit-driven on the palate, with impressive length.