Warning: Tasting this wine may set a new high watermark for your palate. We are not responsible for the reduced enjoyment of lesser wines after experiencing this.

If you’re a serious collector, or just want to experience the ultimate in colossal, rock & roller, coat your molars Cabernet this is the one. Normally $299 - but at HALF price the Beckstoffer gang might put a hit out on us.

Did we mention the 97 points, too?? It earned every one of them, that’s for sure.

Let’s all take a deep breath - Wim Hof style. Say it with us: Beckstoffer. To. Kalon. Just a dozen or so wineries even have access to fruit from the mythical Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard. They include the likes of Realm, TOR, Schrader, Carter and Paul Hobbs, who is the reason why we’re looking at this beauty today.

Julian Gonzalez crafted this blockbuster, who happens to have steered all consulting programs under the legendary Paul Hobb$ since 2007. And judging by this, the student has become the teacher because it has all the trademarks of a high-end Cabernet - kitted out with structure, density, polish, and complexity that rivals a Unified Engineering class at MIT.

Squid ink black to the core, not letting ANY light through up until the almost neon glowing blue-purple rim. SO SOFT and seamless, just pure liquid velvet. All this is to say, not at all a shy wine. It explodes from the glass like a genie from the lamp and fills the room with untamed aromatics of exotic woods and flowers. Opulent layers of blackberry, plum jam, sweet pipe tobacco, and a fascinating minerality all wrapped in a robe of expensive new French oak. Definitely give this one some time to breathe before you pour a glass, or let it rest for a few years (decades?) - it can go the distance.

Some wines you taste. Others you experience in a profound, life-changing “just chugged a bowl of ayahuasca” kind of way. This is the latter, and while it won’t cause you to gag or have intense visuals, you might forge an intensely spiritual bond with anyone you share the bottle with. Choose your company wisely…

Cabernet never lasts long around here with these kinds of accolades, and there is not much of this one to go around! What else can be said? Other than that, please move quickly.

97 Points – The Tasting Panel

“From its fruit-forward nose of violets and boysenberry to its dry, dusty, and meaty palate, this seamless and utterly dignified red is a classic. A sweet cranberry middle is a sweet mid-way surprise, but the fruit becomes darker and more concentrated to the finish.”