2019 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard
Cabernet Sauvignon
- USA
- California
- Napa Valley
- Oakville
Community Tasting Note
-
csimm wrote: 96 points
June 6, 2022 - Christopher Tynan: I love Tynan’s take on To Kalon, with a serious cut instantly reminding me of a MACDONALD-esque physique and intensity that showcase some of the frame and fortitude that is sometimes missing in the overly ripe and gushing-hot versions from other producers that can override the true terroir of the TK vineyard. In young Cliff Lede style, this leads from the frame, hits you with a solid dose of black minerality, and then fires off with an acute blast of dark soil-laden berry fruit. It doesn’t have the layering that the other-worldly ’19 Songbook currently exhibits, but the TK will surely become less sinewy with another 7+ years in-bottle. It’s a bit of a steely display, which strikes at the fruit a bit and keeps the core from unleashing and expanding, but boy oh boy is there drive and focus that make this a wine for the ages. If you want right-now-melting-ice-cream-ravenous-fruit-bomb style, this ain’t it. This wine will straight snipe you for even looking at it sideways or thinking it’s a puppy to play with. Serious business here.
If you want a wine that makes you feel inferior because it is clearly more awesome and street-fighter than you (and it knows it), pick up a few of these bad boys. Don’t forget to grab a pack of diapers on the way home… and call your therapist. Hold bottles until your kid finishes med school. 96++ points. Tasted twice on separate occassions.8 people found this helpful 5,097 views
2 Comments
-
Sdr69 commented:
8/28/23, 4:56 AM - Thanks for the notes on this CSIMM. It's really remarkable how these '19s are still available. Any chance to try the '18s for comparison?
-
csimm commented:
9/1/23, 9:14 AM - Hey there! I can’t recall having the 2018 TK, so unfortunately I can’t compare. I can say I’ve actually been driven to the Songbook a hair more lately. That said, I think Tynan’s take on TK is always pretty spot on and never overblown the way some other Beckstoffer iterations can be. :)