This is one truly enjoyable Cabernet. It offers a look into the blend of two of Napa Valley’s most revered AVA’s or Viticultural Areas. This blend consists of 57% grapes, farmed by famed grower David Abreu, of Rutherford’s Star Vineyard, and 43% from Beckstoffer’s Oakville Missouri Hopper Vineyard. Star typically possesses a lifting, ripe red fruit spectrum, and Missouri Hopper, a headier, blacker fruit array. Together they make one of my favorite Napa blends. The wine begins with a dark purple invitation. The aromas play to the tune of heady blackberry, dark chocolate-dipped cherry, faint dried herbs and a mixture of oak spice and vanilla. Its presence is rich. The palate is medium to full body with liveliness and a youthful structure. Black fruit, mature vine age and dignified terroir are the key pieces in defining this wine. Even though this is very young wine, it has the pedigree, poise and maturity of a classic Napa Valley Cabernet. It is difficult to wait patiently to see what becomes of this Cab in its twilight years. I’m banking on nothing less than breathtaking. Cellared correctly, this wine should survive to 2027 and beyond.

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This wine had me reeling for two days after trying it! It possesses the heart and soul of an artist and a fighter. A wine better described as a song sung by Johnny Cash in the middle of his prime. A big entry and a resounding affect. The nose, middle, and length of this wine are all massive! The aromatics deliver a full force spectrum of uber-ripe red fruit. The part that is most impressive is the seamless balance of aroma with the thick mixture of jam, blackberry preserves, warm barrel vanilla and hints of sweet cooking spice. To Kalon continually not only delivers the goods in aromatics, but it is most known for its pure, velvety fruit on the palate. This ‘08 shows the full-bodied muscle and restrain of a very low yielding vintage. Rich red cherry and currants blend with barrel caramels and espresso cake crust. The flavor plants itself on the palate and stretches for over 60 seconds of pure exhilaration. I hesitate to say that this may be my finest winemaking to date. Cellared correctly, I think this wine will drink very well to 2032 and longer.

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