Wine reviews
A graceful, refined effort that displays a supple, polished mix of currant, plum and black cherry flavors, with notes of loamy earth, spice, mineral and crème de cassis. Full-bodied and notably refined, this firms nicely on the finish, revealing more cedary, woody touches. Best from 2014 through 2027. 365 cases made. – JL
Not surprisingly, the 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard is reminiscent of a great first-growth Pauillac. One of Napa’s true first-growth vineyards, Hobbs obtains just about everything one could want from this extraordinary site. The phenomenal 2008 boasts sweet, juicy creme de cassis, incense, blackberry, toasty oak, licorice and spice box characteristics. Deep and full-bodied with great intensity, freshness, laser-like precision, copious tannin and a 60+ second finish. This cuvee is best forgotten for 2-4 years and drunk over the following three decades. It comes close to rivaling the 2007 and the virtually perfect 2002 (which I recently drank and was blown away by).