Wine reviews
The black-colored, super-rich, concentrated, intense 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard The O.G. is a killer wine that may eventually eclipse the 2012. Drink over the next 20-25 years. One of my favorite tiny boutique wineries in Napa Valley is Carter Cellars. They have been on a fabulous qualitative roll lately, and there are high expectations for the 2012s and 2013s. I tasted six barrel samples from the 2013 vintage, which all achieved basically the same alcohol levels as the 2012s, 14.8%-14.9%. By and large, the berries were smaller in 2013, and yields were good, but not as abundant as in 2012. That fact is often seen in the wines which are even more concentrated (as hard as that is to believe) than the 2012s. The 2013 vintage looks like a replay of 2001, and 2012 looks like a repeat of 2002, at least for Bordeaux varietals in Napa Valley. I can’t say enough about these offerings from Carter Cellars. If the rumor around the wine world is true that, because of their name, this estate was being harassed, possibly sued by the huge international French firm of Cartier, shame on Cartier.-RP
Well, it can’t be easy to follow a perfect wine, but the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard The O.G. can. It tips the scales at the end of my scoring system with absolutely magnificent blackberry and cassis fruit, spring flowers, sweet tannin, full-bodied opulence, and a finish that goes on for 50+ seconds. Compelling purity and balance and a mind-boggling overall personality makes it another killer effort from Carter Cellars. This is remarkable wine, and should drink well for 30+ years. Carter Cellars has been on a qualitative tear in tastings I’ve done over the last 4-5 years, so it was with great anticipation and high expectations I sat down to taste the 2013s and barrel samples of the 2014s given what Mark Carter had achieved not only in 2012, but even in more challenging vintages such as 2011. Fasten your seatbelts!.- RP