2018 Collection Case (1xHighest Beauty, 1xHWC, 1xEliza's Red)
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Tasting notes
The 2018 To Kalon Vineyard Co. Collection Case contains the three releases from the project, made by Andy Erickson (previously of Screaming Eagle). Erickson has been obsessed with this special site for nearly 30 years and wanted to showcase the depth, variety and complexity that can be achieved from various blocks and blends within the vineyard, crafting three different expressions of the site: H.W.C., Highest Beauty and Eliza’s Red. The H.W.C. cuvée is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and has beautiful aromatic flair with roasted spice notes, dark chocolate, and a touch of vanilla from high-quality oak. The fruit is richly concentrated with cassis, blackberry and blueberry fruit. There is some great layering of fine-grained grape and oak tannins that builds structure in the mouth. The wine is beautifully balanced and has impressive length. The Eliza Red is a Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc blend that is less opulent than the H.W.C. and Highest Beauty, but with lovely finesse to the fruit. The tannins are beautifully integrated, making the palate feel very balanced. There is great concentration, though this is no fruit bomb, the cassis aligns with earthy, smoky notes and more austere, dusty tannins. It is excellent The Highest Beauty cuvée has an intense deep purple colour, it is almost opaque. It has a lovely pencil-lead, mineral nose alongside dry spice, violet and fresh blackcurrant aromas. The palate has rich blueberry, black forest gâteau flavours of milk chocolate, black cherry and cassis fruit. The concentration is next level here, making it almost viscous, drenched in ripe black fruit. Despite the intensity, there is a backbone of acidity bringing great freshness – it is pitched perfectly. The tannins are very concentrated and will integrate better over five years or so in bottle, but this will give decades of drinking pleasure. The case contains one bottle (75cl) each of 2018 H.W.C., 2018 Highest Beauty and 2018 Eliza’s Red from the To Kalon Vineyard Co.
Critic scores
Jeb Dunnuck
James Suckling
More reviews and scores
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Highest Beauty features a delicately lifted, minty aspect to the nose, along with classic notes of cassis and cedar—like all the To Kalon Vineyard Company wines, it was matured in 100% new French oak. It's medium to full-bodied, not overly rich or extracted, velvety and almost too easy to drink, showing a slight lack of richness on the mid-palate, yet finishing strong, with ample intensity and length.
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Highest Beauty is pure brilliance and ranks with the finest wines of the vintage. This is a tiny production cuvée made with the idea of producing the best wine possible from the vineyard, and where most To Kalon lean toward the more powerful, sexy end of the spectrum, this beauty has an almost Pauillac-like style in its pure cassis, graphite, tobacco leaf, and lead pencil-like aromas and flavors. With fine tannins, medium to full-bodied richness, and just about flawless balance, it has the vibrancy, purity, and structure that makes this vintage so special. This will most likely flirt with perfection in 5-6 years and should have 25+ years of overall longevity.
Blackberries and lead pencil with asphalt, spice and violets. This is medium-to full-bodied with linear and very long tannins that go on and on. Racy and refined, with strength at the same time. Closed and tight now. Hints of toasted oak at the end. Give it time to show its greatness. Pure cabernet sauvignon. Try after 2025.
About the producer
With wines made by legendary winemaker Andy Erickson, the To Kalon Vineyard Company celebrates Napa’s most famous vineyard, producing three single-vineyard wines from the site. Consistently receiving critical acclaim,, these are benchmark expressions of top Napa Cabernet.
Product details
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot
Red
Dry