The Debate Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Franc 2018
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Jeb
Dunnuck -
Robert
Parker -
James
Suckling -
Wine
Enthusiast -
Wine
Spectator
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Blend: 100% Cabernet Franc
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Always one of the gems from this team, the 2018 Cabernet Franc Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard is 100% Cabernet Franc from arguably one of the most famous vineyards in Napa Valley. Its dense purple color is followed by a sweet nose of mulberries, blueberries, and kirsch fruits as well as graphite, candied violets, and chocolate. Rich and full-bodied, it has a layered, opulent mouthfeel and plenty of sweet, chalky tannins. There are ample, classic Cabernet Franc floral and earthy nuances, and I love its overall balance. It should benefit from 3-4 years of bottle age and keep for 10-15 years or more.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 Cabernet Franc Beckstoffer To Kalon needs a little coaxing to reveal slowly emerging scents of stewed red and black plums, chocolate-covered cherries, mulberries and rose oil with hints of cast iron pan, cinnamon stick, graphite and wild sage. The full-bodied palate is packed with red and black fruit preserves flavors, supported by firm, ripe grainy tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long with a fragrant lift.
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James Suckling
Violets, pine needles, eucalyptus and some smoked meat on the nose. Oyster shell and cacao, too. It’s full-bodied and juicy with firm, chewy tannins. Complex layers of berries, herbs and iodine. Drink from 2023.
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Wine Enthusiast
From the famous site more well-known for its Cabernet Sauvignon, this rare bottling is muted in violet and blue fruit, elegantly powerful and dense in style. The muscular tannin profile underscores a impressive concentration of power that finds its way to a velvety, integrated and ultimately balanced finish of baking spice and clove.
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Wine Spectator
Pure and fresh up front, offering a sleek display of cassis and bitter cherry notes laced with a sanguine thread. Shows light tobacco and savory flecks through the loamy-edged finish. Drink now through 2028.
Wines, like people, are a reflection of their origin and evolution. The Debate are Napa Valley wines crafted by respected winemaker Jean Hoefliger (Lynch-Bages, Newton Vineyard, Alpha Omega, AXR, Harbison and many others). The Debate focuses on the unique terroirs of single vineyard sites for Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc exclusively.
The Debate began in 2010 when two friends brought their unique perspectives together to create thought provoking and delicious wines that extend beyond the sense of taste to the thrill of telling stories and the art of listening. By selecting three different vineyards with three different expressions of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, the Debate seeks to point out the diversity of terroir as well as the diversity of people.
We live in an age where less and less time is spent at the dinner table discussing these different points of view. The Debate mission is to bring people together to share a glass of wine to discuss and debate just as our team does. Every vintage of The Debate is wrapped in newspaper with “The Debates” of the vintage. Whether its politics, sports, pop-culture or world events, you have the opportunity to reminisce a time, a place and a vintage in history with the people around you.
Cabernet Franc, a proud parent of Cabernet Sauvignon, is the subtler and more delicate of the Cabernets. Today Cabernet Franc produces outstanding single varietal wines across the wine-producing world. Somm Secret—One of California's best-kept secrets is the Happy Canyon appellation of Santa Barbara. Here Cabernet Franc shines as a single varietal wine or in blends, expressing sumptuous fruit, savory aromas and polished tannins.
Home to some of the most sought-after Cabernet Sauvignon in America, Napa Valley’s Oakville district stretches across the center of Napa's valley floor and foothills between the Vaca and Mayacamas Mountains. This AVA is home to the legendary To Kalon Vineyard and Martha's Vineyard, as well as many powerhouse wineries including Screaming Eagle, Silver Oak, Robert Mondavi, Opus One, Far Niente and Groth.
The climate is generally warm and agreeable, resulting in year after year of favorable vintages. Summer days see a gentle tug of war between warmer inland air and the cool air coming in from the San Pablo Bay, creating an ideal environment to grow red varieties. Oakville's diverse soils, namely ancient sea bedrock, clay and gravel, are well-drained, and perfect for high-caliber viticulture.
Cabernet here is often bottled varietally but is also popular in Bordeaux Blends. Oakville wines are known for their silky, sensual textures, structured tannins, dark and brooding fruit and lovely aromatics. These age-worthy and prestigious wines are favored by collectors throughout the world.