Winemaker Notes
Opulent and powerful, the 2022 Amici To Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon exemplifies the richness and pedigree of this legendary Oakville vineyard. Aromas of loam, Bing cherry, menthol, bay leaf, lavender, and soy mingle with subtle notes of chocolate. The palate is supple yet dense, with layers of classic black cherry and hints of blackberry compote. Framed by vibrant acidity, the wine's richness and weight are balanced by firm tannins, carrying through to a long, structured finish.
Professional Ratings
-
James Suckling
Blackberries, blackcurrants, graphite and a hint of terra cotta on the nose. Medium-bodied with creamy tannins and flavors of juicy fruit, flint and dark berries. Extremely refined for such a hot vintage. A fine, velvety texture at the end. Drinkable already, but better in three to four years. Try after 2028.
-
Jeb Dunnuck
Cassis and assorted red and black fruits, sappy flowers, spicy oak, and a hint of chocolate all define the 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard, a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the C1 Block of this magical vineyard that spent 18 months in all new French oak. Medium to full-bodied, with a supple, layered mouthfeel and outstanding length, it has the ripe, sexy, elegant, open-knit style of the vintage and is already impossible to resist.
-
Vinous
The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard shows lovely breadth and creaminess. Inky dark fruit, violet, spice, lavender and menthol build in the glass. All the elements are so nicely laced together.
Over thirty years in the making, Amici Cellars is a blend of the old and the new. Preserving its legacy and producing wines of exceptional character is the unwavering commitment of proprietors John Harris and Bob Shepard, who attribute success in large part to the age-old adage “nothing replaces hard work,” but also their intuition and ability to capture the most significant opportunity in a decisive moment.
The turning point was 2009, when after more than 15 years of making wine as a passion project with modest distribution, the two friends fully committed to taking their adventure and turning it into a prestigious Napa Valley winemaking estate. The United States was facing the biggest economic downturn since the 1930s, costly Cabernets no longer flying off shelves, but John and Bob have always trusted in their intuition and a core belief - bottle beautiful, high quality wines that are accessible to enjoy every day and for age-worthy collections.
They have decidedly chosen a talented team, seasoned winemaker Tony Biagi, a Napa Valley veteran with more than 25-years-experience, and associate winemaker Dante West, a rising star whose energy matches his true-to-varietal wines. Together they bring decades of relationships with outstanding growers in the field that, combined with their craftsmanship, creates the best possible capsule of each vineyard site, a combination of the soil, climate and people who farm it.
A noble variety bestowed with both power and concentration, Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys success all over the globe, its best examples showing potential to age beautifully for decades. Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in Bordeaux's Medoc where it is often blended with Merlot and smaller amounts of some combination of Cabernet Franc, Malbecand Petit Verdot. In the Napa Valley, ‘Cab’ is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious, age-worthy and sought-after “cult” wines. Somm Secret—DNA profiling in 1997 revealed that Cabernet Sauvignon was born from a spontaneous crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in 17th century southwest France.
Home to some of the most sought-after Cabernet Sauvignon in America, Napa Valley’s Oakville district stretches across the center of Napa's valley floor and foothills between the Vaca and Mayacamas Mountains. This AVA is home to the legendary To Kalon Vineyard and Martha's Vineyard, as well as many powerhouse wineries including Screaming Eagle, Silver Oak, Robert Mondavi, Opus One, Far Niente and Groth.
The climate is generally warm and agreeable, resulting in year after year of favorable vintages. Summer days see a gentle tug of war between warmer inland air and the cool air coming in from the San Pablo Bay, creating an ideal environment to grow red varieties. Oakville's diverse soils, namely ancient sea bedrock, clay and gravel, are well-drained, and perfect for high-caliber viticulture.
Cabernet here is often bottled varietally but is also popular in Bordeaux Blends. Oakville wines are known for their silky, sensual textures, structured tannins, dark and brooding fruit and lovely aromatics. These age-worthy and prestigious wines are favored by collectors throughout the world.