Reviews

MacDonald Cabernet Sauvignon

This dude was ready to go in so many ways, even with relatively limited decanting acrobatics. Double-decanted a few hours before consumption and then followed over the course of 4-5 additional hours,…

MacDonald Cabernet Sauvignon

The first line on my notes reads, "Of course. Why wouldn't 2019 be epic?! It's like it's not even fair to any other wine on the table." .though, in fairness, I will admit there was a bottle with some…

Harlan Estate

Ready, giving, luscious, chewy, and a big polar bear hug of black berries and chocolate chunk goodness that doesn't skip a beat in terms of textural dreaminess and seamlessness. The 2012 Harlan's…

Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

I love Tynan's take on To Kalon, with a serious cut instantly reminding me of a MACDONALD-esque physique and intensity that showcase some of the frame and fortitude that is sometimes missing in the…

Harlan Estate

Blind. The Harlan was tied for my second/third favorite out of five. The preferential order for me was Colgin, Eisele/Harlan, Bryant, and Chappellet - with the Chappellet not even close to being in…

Kinsman Eades Cabernet Sauvignon Käännös Vine Hill Ranch

A smooth and clean entry fools you into thinking this is no barrel sample, but rather a complete bottled wine that is just starting to get down to business already. This juice is from Block 4, and…

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

Though there is still some transition happening here, it appears to be headed in the right direction. After some swirling in the glass following the initial pull of the cork, this big boy quickly…

Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

Serious business here, with a dark and gravelly profile that strikes both chiseled and black sappy chords. This could use another year or three to fully resolve and unwind, but with a decent decant,…

Bevan Cellars EE Cuvée

You might be utterly shocked to hear this, but the 2012 Bevan EE is a big, beefy, and slathering mouthful of black smoothie fruit that completely coats the palate and finishes with gushing viscosity…

Realm Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

It's big. It's rich. It's ripe. It's To Kalon. It's Realm.

Arrow & Branch Cabernet Sauvignon Vine Hill Ranch

A singular detonation of primary berry fruit and alcohol arrives hastily and without any sense of timidity, signaling a fledgling Cabernet Sauvignon that is all flexed-up and quite brawny on its…

Schrader Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon CCS Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

A slight funk on the nose gives way to more pronounced fruit aromas of wild berries and plum. On the palate, dark berry compote is intermixed with leather, cedar, and currant notes, signaling the…

Schrader Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon "Old Sparky" Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

Oh this is a shag-a-licious mojo-kickin' beast that's all about velour robes, cigars, and a crackling fireplace at midnight. Plush, silky, velvety, and a textural kitten purr of a wine, the 2012…

Schrader Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

This is listed as either the Schrader Cabernet Sauvignon (no TK designation) or with the To Kalon reference. It seems to have been a one-bottle part of the "Super Pack" back when it was released, but…

Schrader Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon RBS Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

Much improved since my last sampling of this wine back in 2018, this vintage of RBS certainly has shown its willingness to develop in terms of breaking past the prickly barriers it was struggling to…

Schrader Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Heritage Clone To-Kalon Vineyard

A stellar performance and unquestionably the best wine in the lineup, the 2018 Heritage Clone To Kalon forces you to stop in your tracks before you even try to take a sip, with a nose that blossoms…

Realm Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

A push-pull showing this time around. At once vanilla-chocolatey, ripe, and rich, while also liqueur-heavy and a bit angular, the 2013 Realm To Kalon comes off both blocky and lush in the same sip.…

MacDonald Cabernet Sauvignon

Let this dude sit for a while in the corner. If this bottle is any indication as to how much time this 2015 is going to need to fully unveil its greatness, it'll be a hot minute or three before it's…

MacDonald Cabernet Sauvignon

Another perfect showing, and one of the top (of many) reds of the night (especially along with the 2018 Lafleur and 2018 Bryant), the 2016 MACDONALD does what any lineage of awesomeness in an awesome…

Arrow & Branch Cabernet Sauvignon Vine Hill Ranch

Dark ripe berry and black soil notes duel with iron, red and black raspberry, and burnt ember elements to form a full frontal push of luscious and intense fruit and earth flavors. A statuesque wine…

Addax Cabernet Sauvignon Tench Vineyard

Rich blackberry, bitter chocolate, red and black cherry, and embers, this wine showed upfront modernity and couldn't be anything other than a VERY recent version of Napa Cabernet. So, the 2018 Addax…

Double Diamond (Schrader) Cabernet Sauvignon

Black cherry, eucalyptus, plum, and blackberry skin dominate the profile. There is decent tension, with a broad grip housing the flavor carriage wanting to bust out of the frame. The fruit power is…

Ghost Block Cabernet Sauvignon Estate

Dark plum, round and rich black cherry, sweet blackberry, and hints of soil, this was immediately identified as New World Napa (or an Aussie Shiraz posing as a Cabernet Sauvignon) crafted for the…

Bevan Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Harbison Vineyard

A textural dream, with a smooth and enveloping mouthfeel that is Bevan at his best. The flavor profile is straightforward and fruity, with black and red cherry creme, black raspberry, and some spice.…

MacDonald Cabernet Sauvignon

Flawed. Wet cardboard and a moldy funk on the nose. Bitter and seedy on the palate. Not like any MACDONALD I've ever had. Clearly flawed and not even close to being representative of 100 point-type…