Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon emerges from another first-growth vineyard that was acquired by Andy Beckstoffer in 1993, and planted with multiple clones of Cabernet Sauvignon and a small amount of Cabernet Franc. The original vineyard was planted in 1868, but the present one consists of nearly 90 acres. The 2012 reveals incredible complexity and density with notes of Christmas fruitcake, baking spices, licorice, crème de cassis and forest floor. Full-bodied with the vintage’s opulence and drama, this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon was fashioned from Clones 4 and 337. It should age effortlessly for 25-30 years. Rating: 97+
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Wine Spectator
Exhibits complex tiers of blackberry, licorice, cedar, earth and berry pie. Expansive and elegant for its size, this is impressive on the finish, offering impressive length and breath of flavors, tightening on the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2029.
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.