Wine reviews
From a great first-growth site, the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon is a beauty. Lots of blueberry, blackberry, cassis, vanillin, licorice and incense emerge from this opaque purple-colored, full-bodied, heady red. It will offer a sensual, voluptuous mouthful of Cabernet Sauvignon over the next 15 or so years. Swiss-born Jean Hoefliger had plenty of experience in Bordeaux and working with Michel Rolland at Newton Vineyards before taking over the reins at Alpha Omega. He has hit pay-dirt with the 2012s, the finest vintage I have tasted from this ambitious winery located on Route 29, south of St. Helena. They have some great vineyard sources for their Cabernet Sauvignon, particularly the range of Beckstoffer-owned, first-growth quality sites spread throughout Napa. - RP
Restrained in a pleasant way, exhibiting a Bordeaux-like structure to the dried herb, currant, cedary oak and gravel flavors, with a dusty earth aftertaste. Drink now through 2024. 275 cases made. –JL