Mission Codename Circa 20233
“Iconic vineyards define Guarachi Family Wines.” – The Tasting Panel
Warning: Tasting this wine may set a new high watermark for your palate. We are not responsible for the reduced enjoyment of lesser wines after experiencing it.
If you’re a serious collector or just want to experience the ultimate in colossal, rock & roller, coat your molars Cabernet, this is the one. Normally $300 - and in the past, we’ve cut it down to half that. But today we’re dropping lower, at nearly 60% OFF? Pure lunacy.
Did we mention the 97 and 95 points, too?? It earned every one of those, that’s for sure.
Let’s all take a deep breath - Wim Hof style. Say it with us: Beckstoffer. To. Kalon. Just a dozen or so wineries even have access to fruit from the mythical Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard. They include the likes of Realm, TOR, Schrader, Carter, and Paul Hobbs, who is the reason why we’re looking at this beauty today. Oh, it does help that we have a 100% exclusive here along with a few cases allocated to the winery’s mailing list only, you are not going to find a bottle of this out there, ever.
And good luck finding any of those aforementioned producers’ BTKs priced near this!
Julian Gonzalez crafted this blockbuster, who happens to have steered all consulting programs under the legendary Paul Hobb$ since 2007. And judging by this, the student has become the teacher because it has all the trademarks of ultra-high-end Cab - kitted out with structure, density, polish, and complexity that rivals a Unified Engineering class at MIT.
Squid ink black to the core, not letting ANY light through up until the almost neon-glowing blue-purple rim. SO SOFT and seamless, just pure liquid velvet. All this is to say, not at all a shy wine. It explodes from the glass like a genie from the lamp and fills the room with untamed aromatics of exotic woods and flowers. Opulent layers of blackberry, plum jam, sweet pipe tobacco, and a fascinating minerality all wrapped in a robe of expensive new French oak. Definitely give this beast tons of time to breathe before you pour a glass, or cellar it (for decades?)
Speaking of, note that the drinking window below from the Wine Enthusiast review gives it until 20233 - which is not a typo by us, but entirely theirs as you can see here – or maybe they are right, if you can save a bottle for your grand-grand-grand-grand-grand-grand-grand-grand-grand-grand-grand… (x10) child a bottle they will appreciate it equally as you will.
Some wines you taste and forget. Others deliver a profound, life-changing “just chugged a bowl of ayahuasca” kind of experience. This is the latter, without the stomach churning or intense visuals. But you might forge an intensely spiritual bond with anyone you share the bottle with. Choose your company wisely…
Cabernet never lasts long around here with these kinds of accolades, and there is not much of this one to go around, we grabbed EVERY BOTTLE there was in the library, you are welcome! What else can be said? Other than that, please move quickly.
97 Points – The Tasting Panel
“From its fruit-forward nose of boysenberry and violets to its dry, dusty, and meaty palate, this seamless and utterly dignified red is a classic from one of Napa Valley’s most pedigreed vineyard sites. A cranberry middle makes for a sweet surprise midway, but the fruit becomes darker and more concentrated toward the finish.”
95 Points, Cellar Selection – Wine Enthusiast
“Entirely varietal and aged 20 months in French oak, this vineyard-designate is perfumed and floral, with underlying brightness and minerality etched in waves of crushed rock and iron. A core of concentration and structure suggest further aging; enjoy best from 2028-20233.”
What the Winery Says
2018 Beckstoffer To Kalon Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon
- Consulting winemaker
- Paul Hobbs
- Winemaker
- Julian Gonzalez
- Varietal
- 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
- Vintage
- 2018
- Alcohol
- 15.0%
- Appellation
- Oakville, Napa Valley
- Vineyard
- Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard
- Clones
- 4, 6, 337
- Aging
- 20 months
- Barrels
- 100% new French oak