"Let me tell you about a few of the unique wines I tasted.  First, there was a 2020 Chardonnay ($32) that differed from the usual oaky butter wine found in many other places.  This Chardonnay was fermented in a steel tank, which produced a crisp and acidic wine with aromas of lemon and apple.  The 2018 Syrah ($42) had all the expected tasty flavors, and really surprised me with an additional big flavor of black pepper that extended well into the finish.  I was excited to find out that this Syrah was made from Noir Clone grapes.  It was my favorite on this trip.  Another tasty wine, the “flagship of the property” was the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon ($46) which had predominantly black fruit flavors (without the grassy flavors sometimes found in this grape) and very good balance of fruit, alcohol and tannins.  Other pleasant offerings were a GSM, a Rose (Grenache/Syrah blend), Zinfandel and a Bordeaux blend."

Doc Ed reports on his visit to Beckmen Vineyards in Los Olivos:
"​Beckmen Vineyards is a real treasure and I encourage you to visit them.  Their property, about 150 acres divided into two parcels, specializes in Syrah and Grenache, with small amounts of other French varietals.  Their wines are well recognized by review groups such as Vinous and Wine Enthusiast, and are served at great restaurants across the country.  Their website reports that they even have been served at the White House.  With all these honors, I was very pleasantly surprised to find the staff to be extremely welcoming, friendly, and well informed.  One more honor:  this winery is the first one in the country to be a certified biodynamic vineyard."

​“Each of the wines I tasted was very pleasant, and most were surprisingly inexpensive considering the quality and recognition this winery has received.  Three wines were special favorites for me.  The 2019 “Big Hands” Syrah ($26) Clone 470 had aromas of blue and black fruit, and provided a very long finish with flavors of coffee, chocolate and vanilla.  The 2019 “Purisima Mt” Syrah ($36), a blend of nine clones, had aromas of black fruit, and flavors of black pepper and chocolate.  It has received a score of 94 from Vinous, and I bought several bottles.  The 2019 Syrah Clone 1 ($76) was a new clone for me to try.  It had aromas of black fruit, chocolate flavors, and a little less pepper than the Purisima Mt.  It received a score of 95 from Vinous.  In addition, I enjoyed tastings of 2020 Viognier ($39), 2019 Estate Grenache ($26), and 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon ($36).”

Beckmen offers two wine club options:  Purisima at 3 bottles quarterly at a 20% discount and Inner Circle at 6 bottles quarterly at a 25% discount.  Both offer free wine tasting four times a year for wine club members.  Purisima members can bring one guest, Inner Circle three guests.