Wine reviews
A stunner from the start, as gorgeous waves of cassis, warmed plum sauce and blackberry pâte de fruit flavors cruise through with authority, inlaid with a graphite spine and backed with notes of violet, black licorice snap and roasted apple wood. This doesn't quit either, echoing with fruit and earth through the extremely long finish. Very impressive. Best from 2022 through 2040. 233 cases made. – JM
This “Schrader” label comes from Beckstoffer’s To Kalon vineyard in Oakville, produced from clone 4 grown on the C2 block. It is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and was aged in 100% new Darnajou and Taransaud French oak barrels for 18 months. Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard has a wonderfully perfumed nose of potpourri, baking spices and dusty soil over a core of crème de cassis, blueberry pie and flamboyant Indian spices. Full-bodied, super firm with super ripe tannins and lovely freshness, it delivers layer upon layer of black fruit preserves and exotic spices, finishing long and beautifully poised. Give it a good 3-5 years in bottle to really strut its stuff and drink it over the next 30+ years. 219 cases were made. – LPB
A powerful, backward, and concentrated wine, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Schrader exhibits a dense purple/plum color as well as an extraordinary bouquet of blackcurrants, dark chocolate, graphite, gravelly earth, and tobacco leaf. It takes plenty of air to show at its best, and I suspect 3-4 years of bottle age are warranted, but this full-bodied, multi-dimensional 2018 has flawless balance, building tannins, and is just loaded with potential. – JD
As always, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Schrader shows the more powerful, blackfruited, structured style that’s going to need bottle age. Notes of smoked blackcurrants, crushed rocks, tobacco, and scorched earth all give way to a full-bodied powerhouse of a wine that’s massively structured and tannic. It’s great, but not for those seeking instant gratification. – JD
This “Schrader” label comes from Beckstoffer’s To Kalon vineyard in Oakville, produced from clone 4 grown on the C2 block. It is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and aging in 100% new oak. A very deep purple-black colored barrel sample, WOW, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard opens with the most amazing, expressive, well-delineated perfume of warm blackberries, black raspberries and blackcurrants plus wafts of violets, star anise, cigar box and graphite and a touch of Ceylon tea. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is built like a brick house, framed by solid, ripe, grainy tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and earthy. 293 cases are due to be made. – LPB