Wine reviews
Features a beautifully ripe, intense beam of creamed plum and cassis fruit, laced with licorice, violet and sassafras notes. A racy edge on the finish brings you back for another sip. Approachable now for the copious fruit, but this is sufficiently packed to merit cellaring. Best from 2021 through 2038. 2,289 cases made. – J.M.
More black fruits, tobacco, chocolate, and earthy notes emerge from the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard RBS, but it’s a similarly textured, sexy, opulent wine on the palate. All Cabernet aged 20 months in 95% new French oak, this full-bodied, concentrated 2017 has terrific tannins, a balanced, layered mouthfeel, and a great finish. It too is destined for 15-20 years of prime drinking. – JD
The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon RBS Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard has slightly more freshness as well as pretty notes of blue fruits, violets, and underbrush, with full-bodied richness and building tannins on the palate. Elegant, seamless, and cutting a straight line across the palate, it’s going to benefit from short-term cellaring. – JD
A barrel sample, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon RBS To Kalon Vineyard is deep purple-black colored with lovely kirsch, fresh blackcurrants, lifted lilacs and dried Provence herbs with wafts of rose hip tea and cinnamon stick. The palate is medium to full-bodied, refreshing and with nice harmony even at this early stage, finishing with great vibrancy. – LPB