Wine reviews
Beautifully pure plum and blackberry notes gush forth, with melted licorice and sweet toast elements cascading in on the finish. Shows serious depth for a 2017, getting denser and more focused as this moves through the finish, a great sign for cellaring. Extra violet, graphite and sweet spice accents create a gorgeous backdrop. Tempting now, but best to wait. Best from 2021 through 2040. 310 cases made. – JM
Beautifully pure plum and blackberry notes gush forth, with melted licorice and sweet toast elements cascading in on the finish. Shows serious depth for a 2017, getting denser and more focused as this moves through the finish, a great sign for cellaring. Extra violet, graphite and sweet spice accents create a gorgeous backdrop. Tempting now, but best to wait. Best from 2021 through 2040. – JL
Also known as the Schrader Schrader, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Schrader offers a more black-fruited, chocolate, and mineral-laced profile as well as full-bodied richness, a dense, powerful midpalate, and building tannins. As I wrote last year, it’s one of the biggest, baddest wines in the lineup. I wouldn’t open bottles for a good 4-5 years, yet it should be long-lived. – JD
Coming all from a single block in the To Kalon Vineyard and all clone 4, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Schrader reveals more black fruits, smoked earth, chocolate, camphor, and crushed rocks. It’s one of the biggest, baddest wines in the lineup in 2017 and is full-bodied, deep, rich, and layered. The cellar is going to be your friend. – JD
The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard (a barrel sample) is deep purple-black in color and scented of warm cassis, blueberry pie and warm black cherries with touches of spice box, cloves and licorice with a waft of potpourri. Medium to full-bodied with firm, chewy tannins and a lively backbone, it finishes long and earthy. – LPB