2012 Carter Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard The Three Kings
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Tasting notes
One of the finest vintages for this cuvée since its release, the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard has a show-stopping bouquet of black raspberries, crème de cassis, crushed flowers, and incense, with background lead pencil and tobacco. Wonderfully pure, full-bodied, deep, and layered, it holds onto a remarkable sense of freshness and purity. An absolutely brilliant wine, it can be drunk any time over the coming 15-20 years.
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Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Super-ripe dark fruit, menthol, smoke, spices and leather are all laced together in the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon The Three Kings. Rich, succulent and perfumed to the core, the 2012 possesses gorgeous depth, persistence and voluptuousness. The Three Kings is pure Clone 7 Cabernet Sauvignon, so not surprisingly this is an ample, broad-shouldered wine.
Another killer effort is the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard The Three Kings. It’s splitting hairs at this level of quality, but this cuvée achieved 14.8% natural alcohol compared to its siblings’ 14.9%. You certainly can’t tell that in the glass. In fact, you would be hard pressed to believe it was over 13% given the wealth of fruit and layered texture. Abundant blue and black fruit, licorice, graphite and spice notes are present in this beautiful Pauillac-like Napa Valley wine. Full-bodied and opulent, this is another big-time winner from Carter Cellars. Drink it over the next 12-15+ years.
(all clone 7): Very dark aromas of cassis, black cherry, licorice and exotic spices. A juicy, spicy lively midweight; less obviously sweet and plush than The Grand Daddy and more saline right now. This tight wine shows terrific underlying power but today the savory tannins are in control.