Knights Bridge
Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California, USA
Boy I really wanted to love this wine. Hit some sweet spots of mine, including a Napa Cab with some age on it, from a great producer and includes To Kalon fruit. What could go wrong? Well, the wine itself wasn’t flawed. No cork taint or anything like that. On the nose I got rich dark fruits, which certainly followed into the glass. But from my first sip to my last of this wine, I couldn’t get over how sweet it was. I expected more muscular tannins, perhaps lively acidity. Instead, this soft, plush wine reminded me of a candy shop. Some wines are described as “iron fist in a velvet glove.” This wine is the opposite- it’s like a portly Elvis in opulent velour. Fun? Sure. But you can only take so much at a time.
Boy I really wanted to love this wine. Hit some sweet spots of mine, including a Napa Cab with some age on it, from a great producer and includes To Kalon fruit. What could go wrong? Well, the wine itself wasn’t flawed. No cork taint or anything like that. On the nose I got rich dark fruits, which certainly followed into the glass. But from my first sip to my last of this wine, I couldn’t get over how sweet it was. I expected more muscular tannins, perhaps lively acidity. Instead, this soft, plush wine reminded me of a candy shop. Some wines are described as “iron fist in a velvet glove.” This wine is the opposite- it’s like a portly Elvis in opulent velour. Fun? Sure. But you can only take so much at a time.
Aug 25th, 2019
2012, bakers chocolate anf dark cherry. great representation of Oakville. took some time to open up nice smooth finish
2012, bakers chocolate anf dark cherry. great representation of Oakville. took some time to open up nice smooth finish
May 25th, 2016
Just tasty. Very approachable but age-worthy #napa #cabernet
Jan 9th, 2016Perfect pairing with our filet mignon!
Perfect pairing with our filet mignon!
Nov 29th, 2014Pretty solid. It definitely kept me coming back for more. It has been a while since a big Cab Sauv has made my taste buds perk up.
Pretty solid. It definitely kept me coming back for more. It has been a while since a big Cab Sauv has made my taste buds perk up.
Nov 11th, 2014Best Beckstoffer To Kalon Cab I've had. Does everyone know that Robert Mondavi Winery has 450 acres of To Kalon?
Best Beckstoffer To Kalon Cab I've had. Does everyone know that Robert Mondavi Winery has 450 acres of To Kalon?
Jun 10th, 2014
2007. Had a long road ahead...till I pulled the cork.
2007. Had a long road ahead...till I pulled the cork.
Sep 25th, 2013
2012 vintage. From the only other winery in Knights Valley besides that Peter Michael endeavor. This Beckstoffer To-Kalon/To Kalon/Tokalon/ToKalon (pick your interpretation-seen 'em all) goes for a older-school, much leaner approach vs the decided, new school, über-concentrated style as far as this vineyard is concerned. Goes even leaner than the older, vineyard incorporated Mondavi Reserves from the 80's/90's (which I would rate in the middle ground). All the way to the left for the history buffs. Tremendous concentration but on the dry, dusty, dirty side vs the biggie extracted ripe style in vogue the last decade+. Instructive and elucidating. Twere I doing a Tokalon Vineyard retrospective/blowout dinner, this wine would be first. 9.6.23.
2012 vintage. From the only other winery in Knights Valley besides that Peter Michael endeavor. This Beckstoffer To-Kalon/To Kalon/Tokalon/ToKalon (pick your interpretation-seen 'em all) goes for a older-school, much leaner approach vs the decided, new school, über-concentrated style as far as this vineyard is concerned. Goes even leaner than the older, vineyard incorporated Mondavi Reserves from the 80's/90's (which I would rate in the middle ground). All the way to the left for the history buffs. Tremendous concentration but on the dry, dusty, dirty side vs the biggie extracted ripe style in vogue the last decade+. Instructive and elucidating. Twere I doing a Tokalon Vineyard retrospective/blowout dinner, this wine would be first. 9.6.23.
Sep 6th, 2023
Cracked this open a little early, but on the house at Alba's. A big CA cab, but with structure and nuance. Distinct plummy/jammy notes, but with chocolate and dusty notes and a great finish.
Cracked this open a little early, but on the house at Alba's. A big CA cab, but with structure and nuance. Distinct plummy/jammy notes, but with chocolate and dusty notes and a great finish.
Aug 26th, 2022