Wine reviews
This is packed with steeped plum, blackberry and boysenberry fruit flavors, yet cuts a very focused line nonetheless, with a graphite underpinning keeping the fruit harnessed while licorice, alder and tar nots fill in on the back end. A muscular version that demands cellar time. Best from 2024 through 2038. 1,715 cases made. – JM
Schrader’s RBS comes from Beckstoffer’s To Kalon vineyard in Oakville, produced from 337 clone grown on blocks B1, B2 and E2. The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon RBS Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, aged in 100% new Darnajou and Taransaud French oak barrels for 18 months. Deep garnet-purple in color, it leaps from the glass with gregarious exotic spice scents—cumin seed, cloves and star anise—over a core of Black Forest cake, blueberry compote and black currant pastilles plus a waft of underbrush. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is completely coated with spicy, open-knit black fruit preserves flavors, marked by bright red-fruit accents. Supported by great tension and velvety tannins, it finishes on a lingering cinnamon toast note. 1,715 cases were made. – LPB
Another heavenly wine in the lineup is the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard RBS, which comes from Clone 337 and a handful of different blocks in the vineyard. This deep purple-hued beauty has an incredibly seamless, elegant, yet full-bodied style as well as killer notes of crème de cassis, blueberries, wildflowers, violets, white chocolate, and new saddle leather. Flirting with perfection, the tannin quality, purity of fruit, balance, and overall harmony here is just about off the charts. It makes you want to drink the whole bottle, but it should age effortlessly for 25+ years. – JD
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard RBS offers more red and black fruits, with plenty of exotic spice and incense characteristics. It’s medium to full-bodied, pretty, and elegant on the palate, with beautiful tannins. Still again in 80% new barrels, it’s going to have plenty of upfront appeal. – JD
Schrader’s RBS comes from Beckstoffer’s To Kalon vineyard in Oakville, produced from 337 clone grown on blocks B1, B2 and E2. It is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, aging in 100% new oak. A very deep purple-black colored barrel sample, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon RBS Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard leaps from the glass with wild blueberries, Morello cherries and red and black currants notes, followed by nuances of mossy tree bark, pencil lead and black truffles plus a suggestion of menthol. Medium-bodied, the palate has a solid foundation of very firm, grainy tannins and beautiful freshness, supporting the tightly wound earthy layers on the long finish. 1851 cases are due to be made. – LPB