Winemaker Notes
The wine entices with seductive aromas of crushed berries, violets, and fresh leather, while the first sip reveals a cornucopia of black and red fruit, complemented by notes of tobacco and coffee. Its rich texture and mouthfeel culminate in a long yet elegant finish.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Janzen Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard comes from one of the greatest sites in the valley and is all varietal. Its ruby/purple color is followed by a perfumed, expressive bouquet of red and black currants, flowery incense, leather, chocolate, and baking spices. It's medium to full-bodied on the palate and nicely balanced, with velvety tannins, a round, supple mouthfeel, and a great finish. It's drinking nicely already, but I see no need to delay gratification either. Nevertheless, it should have 15 years of prime drinking.
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Wine Enthusiast
Rich and layered in forest pine, tobacco and leather, this vineyard-designate shows a tremendous grip of tannin and generous oak. Vanilla, brown sugar and dark cherry accentuate this bolder, bigger wine.
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Connoisseurs' Guide
Of the three, very expressive, Janzen 2019 single-site Cabernets, this is the most open and wholly available right now. It, too, is a weighty, fully ripe offering that does not stint on curranty fruit and sweet oak, and, though nominally tannic, its supple feel and intimations of lushness afford it a certain accessibility that marks it as a wine less demanding of protracted cellaring than its mates. That is not to say that it is one for hurried drinking, but, in this case, it should begin to approach its enjoyable best in but four or five years.
One of the most prestigious wines of the world capable of great power and grace, Napa Valley Cabernet is a leading force in the world of fine, famous, collectible red wine. Today the Napa Valley and Cabernet Sauvignon are so intrinsically linked that it is difficult to discuss one without the other. But it wasn’t until the 1970s that this marriage came to light; sudden international recognition rained upon Napa with the victory of the Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon in the 1976 Judgement of Paris.
Cabernet Sauvignon undoubtedly dominates Napa Valley today, covering half of the land under vine, commanding the highest prices per ton and earning the most critical acclaim. Cabernet Sauvignon’s structure, acidity, capacity to thrive in multiple environs and ability to express nuances of vintage make it perfect for Napa Valley where incredible soil and geographical diversity are found and the climate is perfect for grape growing. Within the Napa Valley lie many smaller sub-AVAs that express specific characteristics based on situation, slope and soil—as a perfect example, Rutherford’s famous dust or Stags Leap District's tart cherry flavors.