Reviews

TOR Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

Same as all of my other notes. PnP was a tad wonky at first, but after about two hours in the decanter, this started to fill out nicely and find its glide.

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Three Kings Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

It's been a year since I had this wine. I was a little reluctant to open this simply because I know some of these 2013 Carter wines need some time in bottle before they can really stretch their legs.…

Schrader Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon RBS Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

Similar to last year's experience with this wine, with super-plush and fatty black cherry liqueur and purple plum fruit gushing out in an overtly giving display of sexy, posh flavors. Good purity of…

Maybach Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Materium

My previous notes apply. The Maybach was a straight PnP from a .375ml. Compared to the Tusk, the Maybach was equally "perfect/near-perfect" but on a whole different plane. The Maybach is delivering…

Realm Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

Popped the cork at 3PM and had a small taste. A blast of alcohol, acid, and hi-toned red liqueur flavors instantly numbed the palate. Decanted, poured back in the bottle, corked, and off to dinner to…

Bevan Cellars Two Dog Knoll

A fine bottle of wine indeed. PnP was a little tight and palate clenching, with a blast of coiled-up black and dark red fruit, asphalt, black slate, black licorice, and a streak of red currant.

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon The Grand Daddy Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

A year and a half since I last had this wine. Still a youngster, with some powerful alcohol circling around the purple and red berry fruit on initial PnP. Two hours in the decanter did it well. Some…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon The O.G. Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

Nose shows immediate promise with a medley of perfectly sweetened fruit and vanilla, like when the best warm cobbler is served at your table and that wave of succulent aromas hits you before it even…

Rivers-Marie Cabernet Sauvignon Corona Vineyard

As others have noted, this is primary and a bit sour initially on entry. I blame this 100% on youth. Not surprisingly, I opened this WAY too early; my fault. Damn curiosity! I would hold off on this…

Turnbull Cabernet Sauvignon Black Label

The flagship Black Label was a very agreeable sipper. Displayed some nice black core fruit, mocha, and hints of chocolate covered blueberries. A little fat and round (overtly Merlot-esque for my…

Turnbull Cabernet Sauvignon Fortuna Vineyard

Punchline: I have nothing against Turnbull, but Mike Smith elevates the Carter label far more with the Fortuna Vineyard than Turnbull seemed to be able to do with this same site. I really, really…

Turnbull Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Oakville

A nice wine, but something that screamed out "standard Cab!" Maybe this is something that will develop with time, but it came off like a typical pounder that one would bring to a dinner at the…

Turnbull Merlot Fortuna Vineyard

A nice example of the varietal, with a surprisingly tannic and acidic spine that framed out the core fruit. Some black and red fruits, with hints of cedar. The fruit seemed extremely underdeveloped.…

Turnbull Sauvignon Blanc Josephine

Put this in the same camp as every other SB put out by a Cab house. Just another fairly forgettable SB with little behind it to hold any kind of interest. No real minerality. No grass notes. No…

Rudius Cabernet Sauvignon Kaley Elizabeth Oakville

This was the one wine in the lineup that was worth talking about. It had some nice black cherry, currant, blackberry, and dark chocolate notes that seemed to be trying to push through..."trying" is…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon The O.G. Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

PnP was a "wow" moment, but the finish was followed up with a decent amount of heat. Otherwise, my previous notes apply. It took about two hours in the decanter and some significant swirling to blow…

Morlet Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Cour de Vallée

PnP gave me the same standing hairs on the back of my neck that screamed, "Oh crap, you opened this too soon yet again, and it's gonna be just another high-toned red fruited Cabernet that shouldn't…

Rudd Oakville Estate Proprietary Red

Same as all of my previous notes. 97-98 points. Wonderful dusty tannins that beautifully frame the classical red and black currant, earth, and spice flavors.

Maybach Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Materium

Naysayers be dammed, because I can't for the life of me find a reason not to rate the 2014 Materium much different than the 2013. In fact, I have to say that this wine is perhaps singing even better…

Maybach Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Materium

I am actually reluctant to rate this as 100 points just because that tends to set different expectations for different people. Tonight, for me, this was a perfect wine for my palate. Somewhat…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon The Grand Daddy Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

Same as my previous notes last summer. A solid bottle of wine and just what I would expect from a Carter BTK. This bottle was a bit tight and youthfully reserved initially, but it found its glide…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon The O.G. Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

Same as my previous notes from 7-8 months ago. This is indeed becoming a softer, more elegant OG over time. It does seem like the flavors have room to deepen and become more complex with some…

Bacio Divino Cabernet Sauvignon Janzen Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Vineyard

It's been a year since I've last had this wine. My previous notes apply from November 2015. It was a little tight and acidic at first, but unwound nicely after some vigorous swirling in the glass.…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Three Kings Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

The final wine in the lineup - and for good reason - the Carter Three Kings showed why it can compete with the best in Napa Valley. Though I am still partial to the OG and LPV in 2014 (so far), the…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Three Kings Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

Jiminy H. Christmas on a popsicle stick! This wine took quite the journey before it turned into something worth consuming. I honestly don't know what in God's name happened to it initially. I opened…