WINEMAKER NOTES:
The wine entices with seductive aromas of crushed berries, violets, and fresh leather, while the first sip reveals a cornucopia of black and red fruit, complemented by notes of tobacco and coffee. Its rich texture and mouthfeel culminate in a long yet elegant finish.
TASTING NOTES:
The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Janzen Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard comes from one of the greatest sites in the valley and is all varietal. Its ruby/purple color is followed by a perfumed, expressive bouquet of red and black currants, flowery incense, leather, chocolate, and baking spices. It's medium to full-bodied on the palate and nicely balanced, with velvety tannins, a round, supple mouthfeel, and a great finish. It's drinking nicely already, but I see no need to delay gratification either. Nevertheless, it should have 15 years of prime drinking."
- Jeb Dunnuck, 95pts.
Rich and layered in forest pine, tobacco and leather, this vineyard-designate shows a tremendous grip of tannin and generous oak. Vanilla, brown sugar and dark cherry accentuate this bolder, bigger wine.
- Wine Enthusiast, 94pts.
Of the three, very expressive, Janzen 2019 single-site Cabernets, this is the most open and wholly available right now. It, too, is a weighty, fully ripe offering that does not stint on curranty fruit and sweet oak, and, though nominally tannic, its supple feel and intimations of lushness afford it a certain accessibility that marks it as a wine less demanding of protracted cellaring than its mates. That is not to say that it is one for hurried drinking, but, in this case, it should begin to approach its enjoyable best in but four or five years.
- Connoisseurs' Guide, 91pts.
