Wine reviews
The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and again aged in 100% new oak. The production is slightly higher than the Dr. Crane at 500 cases. This opaque colored wine offers up blueberry liqueur, crème de cassis, coffee bean, roasted meats, and a floral note. It is rich, powerful, dense and primordial, but wow, is it spectacular! Produced from clones 4 and 337 of Cabernet, this is another 30-year effort and a great classic. There is a brilliant team of creative people behind the wines of Realm, led by French winemaker Benoit Touquette, who was mentored by the famous Libournais Michel Rolland and then got his first job in Napa working for consultant Andy Erickson. He is now working with another top talent, Realm founder Juan Mercado. It's worth a look at their website, www.realmcellars.com, for a list of the entire team that's been involved and the incredible experiences they've had working with some of the finest wineries, vineyards and talented minds in Napa Valley. As the following tasting notes indicate, they've hit major home runs across the board in 2013. - RP
A bold, rich, layered expression of cedary oak—shaded Cabernet, with powerful loamy earth, dark berry and spice notes that are deftly balanced but a long way from full maturity. The finish opens to reveal tightfisted black and green olive flavors. Best from 2020 through 2033. 350 cases made. – JL