Wine reviews
The 2021 Vice Versa Beatrix is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc from the fabled Beckstoffer To Kalon vineyard in Oakville, aged 20 months in 70% new French oak. It is a wonderfully balanced red of power and elegance. The nose is rather opulent, with enticing chocolate-covered bing cherries, blackberry and cassis, dried florals, and spicy sagebrush. The wine is full-bodied with intense black fruits framed by robust muscular tannins and totally savoury. It is long, layered, mineral-infused, and expressive, with dried rose petal floral notes on an everlasting finish. – JC
The 2021 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Beatrix is based on an even split of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc that spent 18 months in 75% new barrels. It's a tiny production release yet offers incredible quality as well as a rare mix of richness and elegance. Playing in the medium to full-bodied end of the spectrum and all about finesse, it has both red and black fruits, lots of menthol, spring flowers, spice, and fresh herb aromatics (the Cabernet Franc is loud and clear), ultra-fine tannins, and a great finish. As with all these 2021s from Vice Versa, it's not massive but shines for its remarkable purity, complexity, and balance.
Sourced from the vineyard's F block, the 2021 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Beatrix Red Blend is a blend of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Gently tobacco-like and leafy on the nose, with black cherries playing in the background, it's full-bodied, rich, concentrated and velvety. Showing terrific complexity and length, the wine adds hints of crushed stone to the lingering finish. – JC