The 2019 To Kalon Vineyard Co. Highest Beauty Cabernet Sauvignon is a noteworthy example of Napa Valley viticulture, specifically from the Oakville sub-appellation. This red wine, produced by the esteemed To Kalon Vineyard Co., showcases the exceptional quality and distinctive terroir of its origin.
James Suckling awarded this wine a high score of 98, describing it as "full-bodied with chewy and juicy tannins that are spread across the palate." He noted its complex profile, including flavors of "black olives, blackberries, and blackcurrants," adding that it is "plush and dry, [with a] velvety texture." Suckling recommended waiting until at least 2027 to fully appreciate this wine's potential (jamessuckling.com).
Wine Spectator also praised the 2019 Highest Beauty, giving it a score of 97. The review highlighted its "tiers of cassis, plum, mulberry, and black cherry fruit stacked on one another," and emphasized its "purity and focus as much as power." The wine's "racy yet deeply embedded acidity" and "enticing violet and iron notes" contribute to its "lengthy finish" and "underlying energy" (Wine Spectator).
Jeb Dunnuck echoed these sentiments, also scoring the wine 97. He described it as "broader and more opulent" than the 2018 vintage, with a "full-bodied style" and "velvety tannins." Dunnuck noted the presence of "both red and black fruits" and a "great mid-palate," indicating that the wine is "already accessible" but "will evolve for 20 years" (jebdunnuck.com).
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate provided a balanced perspective, scoring the wine 95. Joe Czerwinski observed that the 2019 vintage is "richer and more complete" compared to 2018, with "seductive aromas of cassis, cocoa powder, and perfumed hints of cedar." He described the wine as "medium to full-bodied," with a "slightly grainy texture" and "impeccable balance" (Robert Parker's Wine Advocate).
Decanter's review, also scoring 95, noted the wine's "massive, brooding, deeply saturated" character, describing it as "unapologetically fruit-forward." The wine boasts flavors of "rich, toasty oak and coconut shavings, Jamaican rum cake, and blue agave nectar." The tannins are "remarkably pixelated and almost sandy," framing the wine's "tremendous richness" and "plethora of savoury wild herbs and chocolate-covered plums" (Decanter).
Overall, the 2019 To Kalon Vineyard Co. Highest Beauty Cabernet Sauvignon is a complex, opulent wine that showcases the quality and style of its vintage and terroir, receiving high praise from multiple reviewers.