From a renowned vineyard site the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To-Kalon boasts a deep ruby/purple color in addition to a fragrant bouquet of sweet blackberries cherries roasted herbs espresso cedar and chocolate. Full in the mouth with impressive stuffing a multi-dimensional mouthfeel an inkiness to the fruit fabulously sweet tannin and a 50-second finish this stunning Cabernet should drink nicely for two decades or more.

(92 points) Many producers purchase fruit from Andy Beckstoffer's To Kalon Vineyard, but few make a Cabernet as dense and powerful as this one. There's a sizeable market in the US and elsewhere for such a wine, with deep, extracted black fruit and a melange of layered violet, crushed rock, Chambord, oak vanillin and cocoa powder. Remarkably, the crunchy acidity preserves the palate from all of that decadence. 88% new French oak.

The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard is soft, fruity and ready to drink. I wouldn't push my luck on aging, as the fruit is starting to dry out and there is no upside from further cellaring. For now, though, there is good depth to the sweet red cherry and red plum fruit. Kirsch, cedar and sweet spice linger. This is my first time tasting the 2005. Overall, it is a very fine wine from the early days at Realm. -- Antonio Galloni