This pure cabernet sauvignon is the real deal with redcurrant and terracotta character on both the nose and palate. It’s full-bodied, yet really reserved and ultra-refined. The quality of the tannins is super with such fine grain, yet it continues on for minutes. This is the first release and it shows beautiful classicism. Shows the essence of the place. Needs four or five years to come around. Try after 2023.

A new project focusing on the To Kolan Vineyard, these wines are made by the talented Andy Erickson. There are less than 600 cases of the 2016 Highest Beauty, and it's all Cabernet Sauvignon, from eight different blocks in the famed To Kalon Vineyard, that spent 21 months in new French oak. It reveals a deep, inky color as well as a classic Cabernet nose of blackcurrants, cassis, tobacco leaf, liquid violets, espresso, and flowery incense. This carries to a full-bodied, powerful To Kalon that has nicely integrated acidity, ripe, present tannins, and beautiful length on the finish. This is a ripe, sexy, yet flawlessly balanced Cabernet that can be drunk today with incredible pleasure or cellared for 15-20 years, if you’re so inclined.

A large wine, with a dense, layered core of black currant, blackberry and fig fruit paste flavors, steeped with sagebrush, tar, loam and tobacco accents. A bolt of warm cast iron runs through the finish, providing structure and support that should allow this to cruise for two decades in the cellar. A terrific combination of intense, modern, clearly defined fruit, with an old-school grounding in terroir. Best from 2025 through 2045. 500 cases made. — JM