Coming from the talented Andy Erickson and a tiny production cuvée based all on To Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2017 Highest Beauty sports a dense purple hue as well as a gorgeous nose of crème de cassis, lead pencil, Asian spices, flowery incense, and sandalwood. As with many 2017s (as well as wines from Erickson), it has a slightly Bordeaux style in its texture and tannins and is medium to full-bodied, with terrific purity of fruit, ripe, polished tannins, and a great finish. This beautiful, elegant wine can be drunk any time over the coming two decades or more.

Nuts, herbs and ripe blackcurrant and blackberry flavors. Full-bodied with a suave texture and ripe tannins. Round, relatively soft and creamy-textured. Needs a couple of years to come together. A more elegant and drinkable rendition than the 2016, the first release. Try after 2022.

The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Highest Beauty is laced with the essence of succulent red cherry fruit, red plum, blood orange, mint and spice. Soft and pliant, the 2017 offers a good deal of freshness to play off the sumptuous fruit. The 2017 is not as opulent as some of the other wines in this tasting, but that is an advantage here. In 2017 the wine was made entirely from pre-fire fruit. This is a step up from the 2016. (AG)