Wine reviews
Plush, rich and layered, offering tiers of anise, currant, blackberry and black cherry fruit that’s focused, supple, graceful and impeccably balanced, with a long, soothing finish that keeps repeating the beautiful fruit themes. Best from 2010 through 2017. 302 cases made. – JL
AROMA brownies, blackberries, mocha, toast 15; FLAVOR blackberry, black currant, espresso 15; STRUCTURE intense, extracted, super ripe fruit 15; LENGTH long, silky, intense finish 15; BALANCE structured dark fruit, balanced flavors 38. Juan Mercado is a former San Francisco nurse who teamed up with winemaker Michael Herby to craft unbelievably intense, extracted California Cabernet with an elegance and balance from this legendary, old vine vineyard. Drink: 2012-2028
Vibrant ruby-red color. Classic cabernet aromas of medicinal cassis and black cherry. Then lush and creamy but with a serious tannic spine giving shape to the raspberry, black cherry and spice flavors. A real essence of cabernet, balanced at a high level of richness.
From a renowned vineyard site, the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon boasts a deep ruby/purple color in addition to a fragrant bouquet of sweet blackberries, cherries, roasted herbs, espresso, cedar, and chocolate. Full in the mouth, with impressive stuffing, a multi-dimensional mouthfeel, an inkiness to the fruit, fabulously sweet tannin, and a 50-second finish, this stunning Cabernet should drink nicely for two decades or more.