2018 Collection Case (1xHighest Beauty, 1xHWC, 1xEliza's Red)

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.