2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon
Vintage:
2017
Varietal:
Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation:
Oakville
Vineyards:
Beckstoffer To Kalon
Cases Produced:
171
Alcohol:
14.7%

Vineyard: The name To Kalon is whispered in hushed tones among lovers of Cabernet Sauvignon everywhere. There is something magical about the terroir at this valley floor site in Oakville that has produced world-class wines for generations of Napa Valley vintners. To Kalon sits on an alluvial fan deposited by ancient streams that flowed down from the Mayacamas mountains, establishing deep, gravelly, well-draining soils.

Vintage: The first winter with big rains in half a decade allowed soils to store up plenty of water – this helped vine health during the scorching hot summer that brought over a dozen 100-degree days. We harvested our To Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon on October 2nd - this turned out to be a stroke of good fortune, as the wine was safely crushed and in tank by the time that year's devastating wildfires struck a week later.

Winemaking: The grapes were destemmed into one open-top tank for a brief cold soak before fermentation began spontaneously with wild yeast. Fermentation continued without the addition of any chemicals or enzymes, aided only by the heat of the sun and daily punch-downs. After pressing the wine went into 100% new French oak barrels from Darnajou, Taransaud and Ermitage, where it aged for 24 months.

Food Pairings: No need to get crazy – seek to enhance the fruit and complement the earthy flavors of this wine with wood-fired lamb or grass-fed beef.

Tasting Notes: Juicy and approachable, featuring a light brambly frame around a mix of red and black currant and cherry notes, all gently steeped with anise and wood spice hints. Dark in profile but open-knit in feel.

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