Lastly, I loved the 2018 Cabernet Franc Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard from barrel last year, and it showed even better from bottle. Revealing a dense purple color as well as textbook Cabernet Franc notes of blue fruits, spring flowers, forest floor, and camphor, this beauty hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, an incredible sense of elegance and purity, ultra-fine tannins, and a great, great finish. Not far off a great vintage of Cheval Blanc, enjoy this incredible wine any time over the coming 15-20 years. Unfortunately, there are only 75 cases produced, so don’t miss a chance to grab a bottle if you can.

Fantastic aromas of crushed berry, blueberry and raspberry with some cassis. Gorgeous on the nose. It’s full-bodied, tight and layered with chewy, polished tannins. Reserved and very compact, focused nature. Very long finish. A solid, wonderfully crafted red. Give this time. Drink after 2024 and onwards.

Composed of 85% Cabernet Franc and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, the deep garnet-purple colored, 2018 Cabernet Franc Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard leaps from the glass with scents of Morello cherries, black cherries and black raspberries followed by a gorgeous emerging perfume of red roses, chocolate box and star anise plus a waft of pencil shavings. Full-bodied, rich and laden with perfumed black and red fruit preserves flavors, it has fantastically plush tannins and a refreshing line, finishing long and layered. 

The 2018 Cabernet Franc Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard is bright and aromatic, with tons of Franc character complementing the natural richness of To Kalon. Mocha, spice, leather, licorice and cedar accents play off a core of racy, red berry fruit. Time in the glass brings the aromatic presence and more mid-weight feel of Franc (relative to Cabernet Sauvignon).

The 2018 Beckstoffer To Kalon Cabernet Franc begins with inviting aromas of ripe dark berries, dark cherries and cassis, which are laced with exotic spices, tobacco and cigar box nuances all taking shape. On the palate this possesses a full body, which is well-structured and supported by velvety tannins. It displays notable concentration and depth with a core of ripe dark fruits and exotic spices that persist all the way through the long finish. Amici winemaker Tony Biagi has crafted a delicious Cabernet Franc which is accessible today, however I expect this will become even more compelling with just a few more years of bottle age.