Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Available only in magnum, the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon The G.T.O., short of any meaningful description, is simply one of the most profound and extraordinary Cabernet Sauvignons I have ever tasted in Napa Valley, and that’s saying something, given the extravagant cascade of great, great wines that have appeared in 2012 and 2013. This has it all. It’s like taking Chateau Latour and reducing it to the essence of that site, combined with the incredible purity, crème de cassis and blackberry fruit of the To Kalon Vineyard. This wine transcends reality -- a mind-boggling effort that every wine lover deserves to taste once in their life. A true bucket list Cabernet Sauvignon, available only in magnum and obviously very limited, it’s a tour de force, a majestic achievement and a showcase for what Napa is increasingly doing. Drink it over the next 50 years.
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.