WINES

95 Pts. “A richly fruited version, offering boysenberry, black currant and blackberry puree notes that stream through, yet this stays reserved in style, with a remarkable sense of polish. Loam, licorice root and singed alder elements emerge steadily through the long finish. A lovely late twang of iron adds to the range. Drink now through 2044."

— James Moleworth, Wine Spectator

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99 Pts, Top 100 Wines of 2024. “Massive concentration and dense tannins make this wine imposing to taste now, but it has so much potential for improvement with age. Made from 100% Mondavi Heritage Clone 31 that gives tiny yields from small grape bunches. Intense blueberry, dark chocolate, graphite and tobacco leaf flavors are tightly wrapped in fine-grained tannins. A memorable wine that will drink best from 2030."

— James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com

96 Pts. “A loaded red, with a mix of iris, violet and cassis aromas leading the way for dark currant, blackberry and black cherry reduction flavors. Hints of warm loam, licorice root, tobacco and singed alder check in. Everything builds through the long, muscular finish, showing terrific latent energy. Big but not a blockbuster style; this shows poise. Best from 2025 through 2045. 490 cases made."

— James Molseworth, Wine Spectator

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98 Pts. “Fresh, structured but rather light in feel for a full-bodied blend of 60% cabernet franc and 40% cabernet sauvignon. Good acidity matches moderate tannins in this almost gentle, delicious but age-worthy wine. Red and black fruit, mint and tobacco accents lead to a luxurious, lingering finish. Drinkable now, but best from 2028."

— James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com

96 Pts. “This red shows lovely range, as sweet tobacco, dried violet and warm paving stone hints all smolder underneath a vivid, pure and polished core of black currant and black cherry puree. Still youthfully taut, as the structure is prominent, this just requires patience to unwind fully. When it does, this will feel really suave. Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2027 through 2045. 475 cases made."

— James Molseworth, Wine Spectator

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98 Pts. “Black olives, blackberries and blackcurrants, as well as asphalt, lead pencil, crushed stone and oyster shell. Full-bodied with chewy and juicy tannins that are spread across the palate. Fuller and more flavorful than the 2018. Plush and dry, velvety texture. This needs at least five years to open. Try after 2027."
— James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com.

97 Pts. “Compared to the 2018, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Highest Beauty is broader and more opulent, with a massive, full-bodied style as well as velvety tannins, lots of spicy, classy background oak, both red and black fruits, and a great mid-palate. I slightly prefer the vibrancy and focus of the 2018, but these are both brilliant wines that show the quality and style of their vintages, as well as their terroir. The 2019 is already accessible, but I have no doubt it will evolve for 20 years.”
— Jeb Dunnuck

97 Pts. “Boasting tiers of cassis, plum, mulberry and black cherry fruit stacked upon each other, this towering example relies on purity and focus as much as power, thanks to racy yet deeply embedded acidity as well as enticing violet and iron notes that fill in throughout. Rather than just lingering, the fruit ripples with underlying energy through the lengthy finish. Outright gorgeous. Best from 2024 through 2040.”
— James Moleworth, Wine Spectator

95 Pts. “Set against the 2018, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Highest Beauty seems richer and more complete, offering up seductive aromas of cassis, cocoa powder and perfumed hints of cedar. In the mouth, the wine is medium to full-bodied, with a slightly grainy texture. It's open-knit, but in a good way, ripe and welcoming rather than coarse, impeccably balanced in the manner of virtually all of winemaker Andy Erickson's top wines.”
— Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate

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100 Pts. “This has amazing fruit at the end of the palate, creating an endless finish of raspberry, boysenberry and blackcurrant. Spice, too. It’s full-bodied with compact fruit. The essence of cabernet sauvignon. Remarkable wine, with energy, depth and purity. Drinkable now, but better after 2026.”
— James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com

99 Pts. “In the same qualitative ballpark as the Eliza's, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon H.W.C has everything you could want from Napa Cabernet, revealing a dense purple hue, incredible black raspberry and cassis fruit, full-bodied richness, velvety tannins, and remarkable complexity in its spicy, floral, violet, and tobacco-laced aromatics. Despite being a big, rich Cabernet, it has a solid sense of freshness and stays light and graceful, with no sensation of weight or heaviness. Don't miss it.”
— Jeb Dunnuck

98 Pts. “Named for the initials of the vineyard's original owner, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon H.W.C. features aromas of dark chocolate and cassis, with subtle notes of wood in the background. Hints of dark loam and Asian spice bring added complexity. Medium to full-bodied, velvety and complete, the HWC offers ample generosity from start to finish, a luscious and decadent yet savory expression of Oakville.”
— Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate

96 Pts.“A textbook Oakville big boy, with a prodigious structure that’s polished and plush in feel, supporting large waves of warmed cassis, steeped plum and blackberry reduction. Winey and muscular but with detail and cut, as apple wood, sweet bay leaf and anise add a mouthwatering aspect to the finish. Impressive. Best from 2024 through 2038. From California.”

— James Molseworth, Wine Spectator

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99 Pts. “Just about pure perfection, the 2019 Eliza's Red Wine (55% Cabernet Franc and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon) offers up incredible darker berry, mulled cherry, spicy oak, and dried flower-like aromas and flavors. With perfect balance, medium to full body, ripe, polished tannins, and a great, great finish, this beauty just sings of ripe Cabernet Franc while bringing plenty of Cabernet Sauvignon structure and density. A sensational bottle of wine, it should evolve for 20 years as well."
— Jeb Dunnuck

98 Pts. “Amazing aromas of lead-pencil shavings to the blackcurrants and dark cherries. Sweet tobacco and licorice, too. Full-bodied with very fine tannins that spread across the palate. Extremely long. Slightly more cabernet franc this year, with 60%, the rest cabernet sauvignon. Hard not to drink now, but will deliver even more in four to five years."
— James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com.

95 Pts. “Leads off with a beautiful plume of warmed cassis and plum compote, followed by sparkles of anise, violet, apple wood, sweet tobacco and sassafras. The finish is underscored by loam and iron as the fruit plays out. Hefty and broad, but with cut and superior detail. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2023 through 2036.”
— James Moleworth, Wine Spectator

95 Pts. “The 2019 Eliza's Red Wine—also approximately 50% Cabernet Franc and 50% Cabernet Sauvignon—may be a bit less floral and exotic than the 2018 version, but it still has an attractive airiness to its silky mouthfeel and delicate herbal, teas-like shadings that beautifully complement the cherry and cassis fruit. It's medium to full-bodied, blessed with ample intensity and tremendous elegance, plus a lingering, flavorful finish.”
— Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate

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100 Pts. “This has amazing fruit at the end of the palate, creating an endless finish of raspberry, boysenberry and blackcurrant. Spice, too. It’s full-bodied with compact fruit. The essence of cabernet sauvignon. Remarkable wine, with energy, depth and purity. Drinkable now, but better after 2026.”
— James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com

96 Pts. “A textbook Oakville big boy, with a prodigious structure that’s polished and plush in feel, supporting large waves of warmed cassis, steeped plum and blackberry reduction. Winey and muscular but with detail and cut, as apple wood, sweet bay leaf and anise add a mouthwatering aspect to the finish. Impressive. Best from 2024 through 2038. From California.”
— James Molseworth, Wine Spectator

2018 H.W.C. Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville

97 Pts. “Lots of redcurrants on the nose, together with some sweet tobacco and roses. Medium-to full-bodied with creamy, round tannins and a flavorful finish. From a single parcel in To Kalon with a heritage clone of cabernet sauvignon. Juicy and delicious already, but needs a few years to open.”
— James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com

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99 Pts. “Blackberries and lead pencil with asphalt, spice and violets. This is medium-to full-bodied with linear and very long tannins that go on and on. Racy and refined, with strength at the same time. Closed and tight now. Hints of toasted oak at the end. Give it time to show its greatness. Pure cabernet sauvignon. Try after 2025."
— James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com

98+ Pts. “The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Highest Beauty is pure brilliance and ranks with the finest wines of the vintage. This is a tiny production cuvée made with the idea of producing the best wine possible from the vineyard, and where most To Kalon lean toward the more powerful, sexy end of the spectrum, this beauty has an almost Pauillac-like style in its pure cassis, graphite, tobacco leaf, and lead pencil-like aromas and flavors. With fine tannins, medium to full-bodied richness, and just about flawless balance, it has the vibrancy, purity, and structure that makes this vintage so special. This will most likely flirt with perfection in 5-6 years and should have 25+ years of overall longevity."
— Jeb Dunnuck

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98 Pts. “The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon H.W.C comes from a single block planted to what's now called the Heritage Clone, which was planted by Mondavi. Beautiful black raspberry, cassis, and ripe strawberry fruits as well as flowers and spicy incense notes emerge on the nose, and it's full-bodied, with a blockbuster of a mid-palate, velvety tannins, and a great finish. This ripe, uber-sexy, seamless, hedonistic, yet pure and wonderfully balanced Cabernet will evolve for two decades."
— Jeb Dunnuck

97 Pts. “Lots of redcurrants on the nose, together with some sweet tobacco and roses. Medium-to full-bodied with creamy, round tannins and a flavorful finish. From a single parcel in To Kalon with a heritage clone of cabernet sauvignon. Juicy and delicious already, but needs a few years to open."
— James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com

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97 Pts. “The 2018 Eliza's Red Wine (60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Cabernet Franc) is more blue-fruited, with pretty floral nuances, medium to full-bodied richness, silky, ultra-fine tannins, and incredible balance. It brings plenty of richness and depth, but it's the purity, complexity, and finesse that really drive the cuvée. It too is going to have two decades of longevity and is another magical wine."
— Jeb Dunnuck

95 Pts. “A new red from half cabernet franc and half cabernet sauvignon, with crushed berries, flowers and hints of lead pencil, stones and coffee beans. Full-bodied with layers of soft, creamy tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Juicy and savory. Bigger wine. Drinkable now, but better in 2025."
— James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com

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96 Pts, James Moleworth's Top California Cabernet Sauvignons of 2017. “Features warmed loam, hot stone and smoldering tobacco aspects, with a lush and deeply layered core of plum sauce and blackberry preserve flavors, steadily expanding as it airs in the glass. A big wine, beautifully rendered and very grounded."

— James Moleworth, Wine Spectator

95 Pts. “Nuts, herbs and ripe blackcurrant and blackberry flavors. Full-bodied with a suave texture and ripe tannins. Round, relatively soft, and creamy- textured.

— James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com

 

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99 Pts. “This pure cabernet sauvignon is the real deal with redcurrant and terracotta character on both the nose and palate. It’s full-bodied, yet really reserved and ultra-refined."

— James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com

97 Pts. “A large wine, with a dense, layered core of black currant ... steeped with sagebrush, tar, loam and tobacco accents. A bolt of warm cast iron runs through the finish, providing structure and support that should allow this to cruise for two decades in the cellar."

— James Moleworth, Wine Spectator

97 Pts. “This is a ripe, sexy, yet flawlessly balanced Cabernet that can be drunk today with incredible pleasure or cellared for 15-20 years, if you're so inclined.

— Jeb Dunnuck

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