2013 Carter Beckstoffer To Kalon Horizontal Tasting Lot (OWC) — "The Grand Daddy," "The Three Kings" & "The O.G." Oakville/Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

“Another perfect wine, the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard The O.G. boasts a deep purple hue as well as an insane bouquet of red, blue, and black fruits supported by a terrific sense of minerality, full-bodied richness, layered notes of acacia flowers, violets, graphite, and spice, ultra-fine tannins, and an almost overflowing, uber-rich, yet flawlessly balanced style that's hard to describe. Absolutely pure gold, it's drinking beautifully today yet has another 15-20 years of overall longevity. Bravo!” (05/2023)

“Well, it can’t be easy to follow a perfect wine, but the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard The O.G. can. It tips the scales at the end of my scoring system with absolutely magnificent blackberry and cassis fruit, spring flowers, sweet tannin, full-bodied opulence, and a finish that goes on for 50+ seconds. Compelling purity and balance and a mind-boggling overall personality makes it another killer effort from Carter Cellars. This is remarkable wine, and should drink well for 30+ years. (RP)” (12/2015)

“The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard The O.G. is the most exotic and intense of Carter's To Kalon Cabernets. Here the impression is of power and breath, as the wine possesses notable size and sheer explosiveness throughout. Inky To Kalon fruit softens with air, releasing scents of tobacco, cedar, leather and smoke that add complexity. The tannins and overall concentration are forbidding at this stage, so readers will have to be patient. (AG)” (10/2015)

“Moving to the 2013s, these are all truly special, incredible wines. The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard The Three Kings has insanely pure aromatics of cassis, blueberries, crushed violets, and graphite, with this liquid flower-like character. Full-bodied on the palate, with ultra-fine tannins, a stacked mid-palate, and flawless balance, it shows how good this vintage was for Napa Valley. Slightly more concentrated and denser compared to the 2012s, it's certainly in the early stages of its prime drink window and has another 15-20 years of longevity. I love it today, though – this is heavenly juice.” (05/2023)

“The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard The Three Kings shows gorgeous blackberry and blueberry fruit, some white floral notes, a full-bodied, multilayered mouthfeel, fabulous precision, purity and balance, an inky mouthfeel, but nothing heavy or out of balance. This is profound Cabernet Sauvignon from a great, great vintage. (RP)” (12/2015)

“The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard The Three Kings is the deepest and most savory of Mark Carter's three Cabernets from To Kalon. Iron, smoke, minerals and a host of ferrous notes are pushed forward, while the fruit sits more in the background. With time in the glass the wine opens up beautifully, revealing layers of nuance and pure textural resonance. Tobacco, cedar, smoke and a host of savory/mineral overtones take on greater prominence as the wine continues to flesh out. This is another super-expressive wine from Mark Carter and Mike Smith. (AG)” (10/2015)

“Graphite, toasted spice, ripe black fruits, licorice, and loamy earth all emerge from the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard The Grand Daddy, another powerful 2013 offering ripe tannins and ample underlying structure, full-bodied richness, and a blockbuster of a finish. A remarkable effort, it brings density, richness, and power to spare.” (05/2023)

“As for the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard The Grand Daddy, I’d love to say that we seem to be at that three-digit magical number again. Unbelievable notes of road tar, truffle, blackberry, cassis and charcoal embers soar from the glass of this inky purple-colored wine. Stunningly full-bodied, rich and multi-dimensional, it’s another skyscraper constructed by the genius of Carter Cellars. This is unreal stuff. (RP) 98+” (12/2015)

“Unusually creamy and expressive for a young wine from this site, the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard The Grand Daddy is striking. Inky blue/black fruit, cloves, new leather, lavender, sage and mint are all exquisitely layered throughout. Even with all of its obvious intensity, the 2013 remains remarkably detailed for such a big wine. Next to the other To Kalon Cabernets in this range, the Grand Daddy shows a slightly more delicate and nuanced expression of this storied Oakville site. (AG)” (10/2015)

“Young and unbridled up front, with a vibrant core of acidity and taut dark berry, this quickly opens and spreads, fanning out with floral scents and tiers of blackberry, wild berry, subtle herb and spice. (JL)” (10/2016)