Wine reviews
The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard (97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Cabernet Franc) is another killer effort that has perfection written all over it. Gorgeous blueberry, blackberry and cassis notes, some spring flowers and spice box are followed by an unctuously textured, full-bodied, massively fruity wine with huge sucrosity and density that make for quite a prodigious effort.-RP If I’m not mistaken, Kirk Venge, the son of Nils Venge, is the consulting winemaker for Macauley, and if so, he has clearly turned in an all-star, world-class performance. His father made the first 100-point Napa Valley wine, the 1985 Groth Reserve, but I think the son has taken up his father’s skill set and now is beginning to build on it. The Macauley Vineyard wines from 2014 look to be the finest wines they have made to date, so get on board.
Blended of 97% To Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% To Kalon Cabernet Franc, the deep garnet-purple colored 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard (a barrel sample) opens with baked berries, earth and spice box aromas with hints of meat and pepper. Big, full-bodied, rich and concentrated in the mouth, it's spicy and velvety with nice freshness and a long, savory finish. – LPB
Moving to the barrel samples, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard (there’s 3% Cabernet Franc) is inky colored and heavenly, with layers of black and blue fruits, scorched earth, sweet spice and spring flower aromas and flavors. It's a powerhouse on the palate, yet stays light, graceful and beautifully balanced, with fine tannin and no sense of heaviness or rusticity. It's going to be a gem. – JD
Plump and juicy, this wine transcends fruit purity to reveal elements of finesse and nuance. The best times lie ahead. Best from 2020 through 2032. 758 cases made. – J.L