To Kalon Vineyard Co H.W.C Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
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Jeb
Dunnuck -
James
Suckling -
Wine
Spectator -
Robert
Parker
Product Details
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Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Named after the founder of To Kalon, H.W.C is produced from one single clonal selection of Cabernet Sauvignon within To Kalon. These vines were originally planted by Robert Mondavi, who was lured to To Kalon by the depth and richness of the wines he made from the vineyard in the 1960s. This incredibly low-yielding selection of Cabernet Sauvignon produces wines with high energy, a black-purple color, and exceptional aromatic and palate intensity—a high-resolution look at this noble variety. The inaugural vintage
captures all the best attributes of 2018, with great balance, purity, and density. While not overly ripe or extracted, the wine has remarkable freshness, texture, richness, and length. Four extra months of barrel aging give it a high level of polish and a silky finish.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon H.W.C comes from a single block planted to what's now called the Heritage Clone, which was planted by Mondavi. Beautiful black raspberry, cassis, and ripe strawberry fruits as well as flowers and spicy incense notes emerge on the nose, and it's full-bodied, with a blockbuster of a mid-palate, velvety tannins, and a great finish. This ripe, uber-sexy, seamless, hedonistic, yet pure and wonderfully balanced Cabernet will evolve for two decades.
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James Suckling
Lots of redcurrants on the nose, together with some sweet tobacco and roses. Medium-to full-bodied with creamy, round tannins and a flavorful finish.
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Wine Spectator
This is densely packed, with layers of black currant, fig, blackberry and black cherry fruit paste inlaid with a loamy structure and framed by smoldering tobacco and chestnut. A flash of violet and a late echo of iron check in on the lengthy, muscular finish. Patience is required.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon H.W.C. comes from a single block planted to a heritage clone of Cabernet Sauvignon that yields particularly small berries and clusters. Pure scents of cassis and dark chocolate appear one the nose, while the palate is medium to full-bodied, velvety and deliciously easy to drink. It's an excellent wine, although next to the 2019, this vintage appears to show a bit less concentration. Best After 2023.
Other Vintages
2019-
James
Suckling -
Jeb
Dunnuck -
Robert
Parker -
Wine
Spectator
Deep in the heart of Napa Valley, H.W. Crabb planted a vast empire of vines in the 1860s. Eventually it grew thick with grapes, orange trees, and Italian chestnuts. So rich was it with life and bounty that Crabb nobly bestowed upon the wine produced from the vineyard the Greek name To Kalon, or Highest Beauty. Today, To Kalon Vineyard Company is dedicated to crafting unique expressions of Cabernet Sauvignon from this storied place.
Sited between the sheltering Vaca and Mayacamas mountain ranges in Napa Valley, To Kalon Vineyard’s well-drained, gravelly soil allows the vines to root deeply finding precious moisture and nutrients. The broad diurnal temperature shifts and reliable sun, wind, and fog, provide and ideal blend of growth and rest for complex flavor development.
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.