2012 Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon The G.T.O Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

Community Tasting Note

csimm wrote:

97 Points

Monday, May 29, 2017 - DAY 1: PnP was tight and restrained, with notes of black and red currant, black cherry, spice, and alcohol. Took about four hours in the decanter to open up with additional, deeper flavors of asphalt, cacao, and some cigar box. Concentration was nice (especially after four hours), but still holding back from fully stretching its legs. On the first sip, I knew this was a wine that needed some time. Impeccably balanced and focused (more so than any Carter I've had - not astringent in any way), but framed by core fruit that wasn't willing to totally show its hand yet - which I found interesting since Mike Smith's wines can frequently be more extracted and fruit forward in their youth.

This has a finesse that is definitely noteworthy, and indeed seems to be a hybrid of what the different BTK versions from Carter have to offer, but with complete grace. Not the straight behemoth I thought it might be. Has both strength and poise, fruit and frame; it only lacks some accessibility at the moment. As stated by the pros, this is a wine to lie down for a decade. 2022+ is probably the earliest window for this wine (at least based on what I experienced on day one).

DAY 2: More accessible but less vibrant after 24 hours. Though the first day was more restrained in terms of core fruit flavors, this GTO certainly had more verve on day one. I preferred this on day one. Moral of the story... wait.

This wine was playing a little cat and mouse in that it never really had a chance to show what I believe to be its true identity. In transition and still wanting sleep I suppose. Don't expect this wine to have the punch and power of the OG or the fruit-forward profile of the Grand Daddy. It seems to have the best of the "elegance" of the three BTK offerings (which is not what I would readily identify this site with). The overall balance is pretty incredible, with a purity of fruit that hints at more seamlessness in a number of years.

Wait until after 2022. 95-97+ points for now.

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15 comments have been posted

Comment posted by #1Winelover:

6/1/2017 9:44:00 AM - CSIMM: Great review. Interesting how this needs time. My '12s are drinking well now. I don't have the '12 but do have the '13 so I guess that will have to wait until 2050! Maybe the Magnum has something to do with it? IDK.
Comment posted by csimm:

6/1/2017 10:38:00 AM - I'd certainly hold on the 2013. I was surprised how the 2012 was pretty reserved all things considering. Its balance was incredible, but the core fruit, concentration, and power seemed to be holding back. Honestly, i don't think this will ever be a powerhouse Cab. I think it will "give" more overall flavor in the future, but probably not power. The 2013 might be a different story.
Comment posted by Yack Man:

6/1/2017 11:27:00 AM - Nice notes on the 2012 G.T.O. FYI: The 2015 G.T.O. is a pretty special wine as are all of the 2015 Carters.
Comment posted by csimm:

6/1/2017 3:16:00 PM - I'm sure the 2015s are rockin' indeed. The GTO is always a bit of a hard pull due to the pricepoint, especially if I can essentially get 3+ bottles of the 750s for the same price. Plus I personally am drawn to the OG as far as style/profile preference over the Kings and Daddy... so the combo of all three a-la the GTO isn't necessarily "better" in some ways for my palate. But all BTK Carters are consistently awesome in their own right.
Comment posted by Yack Man:

6/1/2017 6:02:00 PM - That is the absolute truth CSIMM, after all we are talking a blend of the 3 Beckstoffers. But that precise blend for 2015 moved me to take the plunge. I think that after you taste the 2015's (the Carters and the other premier wines for 2015), you may decide to put your money on them much like the 2013 vintage. Right now, it's early, but I'm leaning in that direction
Comment posted by csimm:

6/1/2017 9:35:00 PM - I believe it. Your notes (and those of Cristal2000) are ones I trust and are definitely compelling; from what I know about 2015 so far, I'd expect the Carters to be premium for sure. I already pre-ordered some OG and LPV, but I look forward to tasting for myself to see what my favorites end up being. Historically it's always been the OG and LPV. The GTO in 2015 is certainly calling me though...
Comment posted by #1Winelover:

6/17/2017 4:54:00 PM - CSIMM/Yackman: I'm beginning to plan my trip to Napa (10/1-10/5). Any interesting wineries that I should consider besides the annual folks?
Comment posted by csimm:

6/18/2017 3:48:00 PM - In my opinion, absent Carter, Myriad, Realm, and Outpost, I'd also look at Bevan, Janzen/B Cellars, Pott (if he is around), Morlet, and maybe Venge. I'm checking out Vice Versa for the first time in a couple of months, so I'll let you know how that goes. For more commercial experiences but still good wine, AO and Hall are good. Tor does tastings on occasion. Mark Herold is worth a look (the higher end Cab tasting room downtown; not the funky bar next to Oxbow).
Comment posted by Yack Man:

6/18/2017 9:53:00 PM - I concur overall with Csimm1161 (although there are a couple that he mentioned that I have not experienced). I do like Alpha Omega, Provenance and Baldacci was a nice stop on the Silverado Trail. Seavey produces very nice Cabernet and if you are adventurous I would try some of the wineries on Howell Mountain. I have not yet gone to Lewis, but I plan to visit them in the near future. On the flat lands the choices are endless. I look forward to your sharing your experience with the Cellar Tracker community.
Comment posted by #1Winelover:

6/19/2017 2:53:00 AM - Thanks both! I will be visiting with Vice Versa as well. Realm, Carter and Outpost and Vineyard 29 are also confirmed. And yes, I will post my tastings! I'm on the lookout for small obscure wineries to fill out my trip.
Comment posted by csimm:

6/19/2017 7:16:00 AM - More "small/obscure:" Boich (Ames winemaker; GIII fruit); Rudius (Ames); Buccella; Debate (AO winemaker); Favia; Grade (TRB winemaker); Memento Mori; Sarocka (good Spring Mtn fruit); Seven Stones; Switchback Ridge
Comment posted by #1Winelover:

6/19/2017 7:33:00 AM - Thanks much and very helpful. I've never had Memento Mori but always wanted to try it. Never heard of Saracka, and have The Grade in my cellar and totally forgot about them!
Comment posted by csimm:

6/19/2017 8:22:00 AM - I just went to a dinner event at Tom Thornton's home (The Grade proprietor) on Saturday and tasted through the 2012/13/14s; they are very good. The 2012 Kingly Project is an especially gorgeous wine
Comment posted by #1Winelover:

6/19/2017 2:47:00 PM - CSIMM: Funny, I checked my cellar and realized I didn't purchase the '14 so I called the winery and spoke to Tom. He mentioned the dinner on Sat., and I told him that one of my CT friends was there; thus the purpose of my call. I didn't share your CT screen name and I don't know your "real" name, so your privacy is safe and secure. He's such a great guy - after discussing my Penguins victory, your Sat nite dinner, their new 3rd wine that they are going to release, he also told me that he forgot to send the Spring '14 release, so I really wasn't behind. He told me that he would be back to me later in the week, after he settled up with his Solstice clients. Thanks again for reminding me of The Grade. That was the highlight of my day!
Comment posted by csimm:

6/19/2017 5:08:00 PM - Tom is incredibly nice. You'll have to make it to the dinner next year. Good times.

The Grade's 2014s were very good. The standard 2014 Cab was smooth and nicely concentrated. I actually thought it equaled the 2014 Kingly at the moment. But you could tell the Kingly will have more feathers to fan once it gets some age in the bottle. But not surprisingly, the 2014s are more accessible than the 2013s right now.