2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon
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Tasting notes
The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard is gorgeous. Stylistically, it reminds me of the 2014 in its mid-weight feel, but it has more inner perfume and overall sweetness in its fruit. Dried flowers, mint, pine, crushed rocks and graphite infuse the 2017 with striking aromatic nuance and complexity. It's a vivid, complex wine that will drink well for a number of years. Like all of the 2017s here, the To Kalon was made only from the early picks, as fruit that was harvested later was affected by smoke. Because of that, the 2017 is a bit different in feel than most vintages.
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Robert Parker
James Suckling
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"We had half the fruit in at To Kalon when the fires hit in 2017," winemaker Benoit Touquette informed me. "That's all we used." Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard prances out of the glass with classically opulent scents of crème de cassis, baked plums, Morello cherries and mulberries plus nuances of rose oil, spice cake, bouquet garni and dusty soil. Full-bodied, the palate is decadently showy with loads of exotic spice and floral accents lifting the rich, black fruit preserves flavors. It has a well-judged, solid frame of grainy tannins and bold freshness, finishing very long and wonderfully earthy. It seems a more structured style of To Kalon than is typical, so give it another 3-4 years in bottle and enjoy it over the next 30+ years.
A really pretty red with blackberries and spice, hazelnuts and dark chocolate. Full to medium body and medium, fine and velvety tannins. Juicy and flavorful finish. Direct and focused. Racy is the world to describe this. Drink in 2024.
The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon is another head-turning wine that defies the vintage. Coming from one of the benchmark sites in all of Napa as well as the world, it sports a deep purple hue as well as awesome notes of ripe black cherries, graphite, flowery incense, and violets. While the vineyard always seems to produce some of the most opulent and extroverted wines in the vintage, this beauty also has considerable elegance, silky tannins, and a great finish. It should continue drinking brilliantly for 20-25+ years or more.
About the producer
Realm Cellars has become one of Napa Valley’s most compelling modern estates, known for site-driven Cabernet Sauvignon. Drawing from some of the valley’s most sought-after vineyards, Realm’s wines consistently earn top critical acclaim while remaining firmly rooted in place.