2018 Realm Cabernet Franc Beckstoffer To Kalon
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Tasting notes
Another incredible wine, the 2018 Cabernet Franc Beckstoffer To Kalon is a full-bodied, dense, concentrated expression of the variety that gives up loads of red and blue fruits, graphite, flowers, and chocolate, with a building sense of minerality on the nose and palate. As with all of Realm’s 2018s, it’s concentrated and powerful, with a backward, age-worthy style. It needs 5-7 years of bottle age, but it’s gorgeous all the way.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
A new wine in this range, the 2018 Cabernet Franc Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard is stellar. Bright floral and spice accents add lift to a core of dark red fruit. Surprisingly expressive for a young Franc, especially from To Kalon, the 2018 is incredibly sensual and appealing. I would give it a few years in the cellar, as the tannins, while impeccably well-balanced, also need time to soften. I am not sure that Franc from To-Kalon can carry a wine alone, but it will be interesting to find out. This is an intriguing to wine, to say the least. Production is just 600 magnums.
In 2018, Realm was able to pick up a few more rows of the Beckstoffer's To Kalon Cabernet Franc, so the 2018 Cabernet Franc Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard is 100% of this variety. Deep garnet-purple colored, the nose is youthfully restrained to begin, slowly unfurling to reveal a very earthy, forest floor and truffles profile with notes of crushed rocks and pencil lead leading to a core of kirsch, black raspberries, blackberry compote and black cherries with wafts of lavender, cedar and wild sage. The full-bodied palate is built like a brick house, featuring very firm, super ripe, grainy tannins and seamless freshness. The finish is so, so layered and minerally with the most gorgeous floral perfume coming through at the very end. Stunning.
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.