Wine reviews
The other three barrel samples of the 2015s all emerge from the Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard, and included the cuvées of the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon The Three Kings, 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon The Grand Daddy and the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer to Kalon the O.G. I will have more specific notes on those when they are in bottle, but they were all upper-90-point wines with incredible density, opulence, voluptuous textures, layers of fruit and extract, sweet, succulent tannins, fabulous purity and rather intense and penetrating aromatic fireworks. This is another amazing vintage, as Napa Valley continues to roll on with one great success after another. Most of these 2015s will be delicious young, but probably keep in a cold cellar for at least two decades or more.- RP Mark Carter, who is also making pretty sensational boutique bourbon from Kentucky, continues to showcase great Beckstoffer vineyards with his full-throttle winemaking
The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard The O.G.. is another super-rich, sumptuous wine. The O.G.. is the most intense and concentrated of Mark Carter's three To Kalon Cabernets. Demi-glace like textural richness and power are two of the main signatures. Blackberry jam, crème de cassis, chocolate, lavender and sweet spice are some of the many aromas and flavors that build in this super-expressive Cabernet. – Antonio Galloni
Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon The O G reveals intense warm plums, cassis and blackberry compote notes with touches of incense, Chinese five spice, dusty earth and potpourri. Full-bodied and full-throttle in the mouth, it coats the palate with rich, opulent black fruit and spices, framed by velvety tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long and earthy. – LPB
My favorite in the lineup is the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard The O. G. which strikes a perfect balance between opulence and elegance. Offering an insane perfume of cassis, crushed violets, espresso roast, and smoke tobacco, this borderline perfect beauty has awesome purity of fruit, a huge, layered texture, ultrafine tannin, and a great, great finish. It shows the power and richness of this incredible vineyard, yet never puts a foot wrong, is perfectly balanced, and stays classy and incredibly drinkable. Enjoy bottle anytime over the coming two decades. – JD