2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon
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For the first time, Tor's 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon includes a fair whack of Cabernet Franc (14%), which winemaker Jeff Ames co-fermented with a portion of the Cabernet Sauvignon. Perhaps that is the source of the wine's delicate herbal shadings, adding complexity and freshness to the black cherry and cassis fruit. Full-bodied, rich, velvety and long, this is really super stuff, with tea-like notes emerging on the finish and lingering silky-dusty tannins.
Critic scores
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Jeb Dunnuck
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The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard is a dark, potent wine. Huge tannins and intense dark-fleshed fruit give the 2019 its decidedly virile personality. There is plenty of depth, but at the same time, the tannins are rough and there just isn't the level of textural polish found in the other 2019s. Black plum, chocolate, spice, licorice and espresso build into the potent finish. A second bottle showed a slightly astringent character, along with the angular contours I saw in the first bottle, which I tasted about a month prior. This was far more impressive last year.
A vineyard that rarely holds things close to its vest, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard just about jumps from the glass with its brilliant perfume of red, blue, and black fruits as well as flowery incense, Asian spices, tapenade, and iron-like aromas and flavors. One of the more structured, tannic wines in the lineup, it's medium to full-bodied, has a great mid-palate, and serious length on the finish. As with most 2019s, there's plenty of early appeal, yet smart money will give these 3-5 years.
They have 7 blocks in Beckstoffer To Kalon: five of Cabernet Sauvignon Clones 337 and 6, and two of Cabernet Franc Clone 1. They co-ferment the Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Tor Kenward notes: 'Most years Blocks B, D, and some of F work best together. In 2019 the very best wine – by a good margin – was all blocks – ALL IN.' 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc – the highest percentage of the latter they have ever used in this wine. The site is on a gentle slope in the western foothills of the Oakville appellation. Loam and clay loam over ancient rocky river beds. Aged in 100% Darnajou small French oak barrels for 20 months and bottled without fining or filtration. Initially seems a little sweeter-fruited than the Melanson but also with a light leafy freshness, perhaps from the Cabernet Franc? But on the palate this is wonderfully bone dry, all black-fruited with layers and layers of fruit and tannins, the fruit lifting the tannins. Outstanding wine with great tension – and balance – between fruit and structure. Tannins are extremely dry but uncannily fine and smooth. Great persistence. (JH)