Wine reviews
The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard (15.8% alcohol) is strong and might have the stuffing and richness to compete with the 2013. This is an impressive effort from this vintage, as the year rarely lives up to the 2013s, but this one does. The wine is full-bodied and powerful, with loads of blackberry and cassis. This is a beauty of purity and symmetry, with a relatively long-term aging potential. And even though it’s a 2014, you might want to drink it on the early side.-RP
The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard is 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc, all from this first-growth site in Oakville. It was aged in 100% new Taransaud T5 and Darnajou French oak barrels (which sounds somewhat similar to the Schrader philosophy of élevage). Inky purple in color, with extraordinary richness and unctuosity, magnificent fruit purity, black fruits, blue fruits, some incense, graphite, fruitcake and spice, this is absolutely pedal-to-the-metal, staggeringly rich, incredibly well-balanced and profound Cabernet Sauvignon. It should drink well for 20-25 years, and it will be worth fighting over to latch onto a bottle or two.-RP If I’m not mistaken, Kirk Venge, the son of Nils Venge, is the consulting winemaker for Macauley, and if so, he has clearly turned in an all-star, world-class performance. His father made the first 100-point Napa Valley wine, the 1985 Groth Reserve, but I think the son has taken up his father’s skill set and now is beginning to build on it. The Macauley Vineyard wines from 2014 look to be the finest wines they have made to date, so get on board.
A massive concoction, rich and ripe to the edge of sweetness, offering layers of melted licorice, cassis and smoky, mocha-laced oak. The long, profound finish walks up to the edge of being syrupy, with ample crushed nut and cedar details. Drink now through 2036. 325 cases made. - JL