Paul Hobbs
Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
Oakville, Napa Valley, California, USA
Saturated red-ruby. Site-driven scents of black cherry, red- and blackcurrant, licorice, violet and sexy soil tones. Densely packed, youthful and rather elegantly styled, showing lovely inner-mouth lift to its slightly inky dark fruit, spice and graphite flavors. No easy sweetness here but this classically dry wine boasts excellent definition and inner-mouth tension. With its firm tannic structure this wine is still a baby, but it can still be enjoyed now with some decanting. More time in the cellar should bring greater complexity, though. This is one of Paul Hobbs's favorite vintages for this wine, from fruit picked on the later side. But he feels that the 2010 version is easier to drink in spite of its very primary character. (Stephen Tanzer, Vinous, July 2019)
Saturated red-ruby. Site-driven scents of black cherry, red- and blackcurrant, licorice, violet and sexy soil tones. Densely packed, youthful and rather elegantly styled, showing lovely inner-mouth lift to its slightly inky dark fruit, spice and graphite flavors. No easy sweetness here but this classically dry wine boasts excellent definition and inner-mouth tension. With its firm tannic structure this wine is still a baby, but it can still be enjoyed now with some decanting. More time in the cellar should bring greater complexity, though. This is one of Paul Hobbs's favorite vintages for this wine, from fruit picked on the later side. But he feels that the 2010 version is easier to drink in spite of its very primary character. (Stephen Tanzer, Vinous, July 2019)
Aug 29th, 2019Stunning and elegant. True expression of Napa Cab
Stunning and elegant. True expression of Napa Cab
May 9th, 2019
Elegant, forceful and with stunning purity of fruit. Modest tannins - no mistaking this ripeness for anywhere but Napa. Exceptional length on the finish
Elegant, forceful and with stunning purity of fruit. Modest tannins - no mistaking this ripeness for anywhere but Napa. Exceptional length on the finish
Jun 15th, 2018
Stunning depth of aroma and flavor with terrific balance. Young but already showing great complexity and bright cassis and blackberry fruit
Stunning depth of aroma and flavor with terrific balance. Young but already showing great complexity and bright cassis and blackberry fruit
Dec 26th, 2017
Too much makeup for my tastes. It has it's redeeming qualities and it drinks well but there are many wines I'd rather drink at the price point.
Too much makeup for my tastes. It has it's redeeming qualities and it drinks well but there are many wines I'd rather drink at the price point.
Aug 13th, 2017
@Severn Goodwin does this count as 2 bottles since its a mag?
Parker 93-95 back in the day. In 2015 he gave it an 97 for his 3rd tasting since release. Great at pop & pour. Nose starts to open up after some air so I’ll push it to a rare 💯 from me,
@Severn Goodwin does this count as 2 bottles since its a mag?
Parker 93-95 back in the day. In 2015 he gave it an 97 for his 3rd tasting since release. Great at pop & pour. Nose starts to open up after some air so I’ll push it to a rare 💯 from me,
14 years young with plenty of time and room to grow. I poured this for my good friends and family in Portugal and they absolutely loved it. The classic To Kalon nose of graphite, cassis and currants, and some black cherry. The oak is completely integrated into the wine and the tannin has started to mellow, but an energy is still present in the wine that tells me this will hanger around easily for another 10 years in this state getting more tertiary and will be enjoyable for likely another 15-20.
14 years young with plenty of time and room to grow. I poured this for my good friends and family in Portugal and they absolutely loved it. The classic To Kalon nose of graphite, cassis and currants, and some black cherry. The oak is completely integrated into the wine and the tannin has started to mellow, but an energy is still present in the wine that tells me this will hanger around easily for another 10 years in this state getting more tertiary and will be enjoyable for likely another 15-20.
Feb 25th, 2017
Out of magnum. Still holding up, but goodness so much heat.
Out of magnum. Still holding up, but goodness so much heat.
Oct 27th, 2016