Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

This is surprisingly for sale through Delectable...buy a bottle. If you haven’t had a well made Napa Cabernet this old, it’s a fun & enjoyable experience. This is a library selection release and was it a steal for under $50. Its a very classic BV. Especially, for the time period. On the nose; notes of Cognac; which I get in older BV’s. Ripe & slightly baked fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, plum, rhubarb, figs, dates, cherries, dry, loamy, brown, top soil, steeped tea, dry & decayed brown florals with violets. The body is leaner to medium. Tannins completely resolved. There are noticeable tannins but it’s the acidity holding this wine together so well. The palate is ripe with baked fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, plum, rhubarb, figs, dates, cherries, strawberries, and notes of light blue fruit. Some black licorice, cognac notes are very present on the palate. Loamy, brown, top soil, steeped tea, soft spice, clove, used leather, very soft chalky volcanic minerals, crushed dry rocks, dry & decayed dark florals with violets. The acidity is like rain. The well balanced finish is long and beautiful. Photos of their tasting room on Hwy 29, Rutherford vineyard just after harvest and tasting room on 29. Producer notes and history... Beaulieu Vineyard BV is a vineyard near Rutherford, California locates in the Rutherford AVA. It was established by Georges de Latour and his wife Fernande in 1900. BV was an initial a purchase of 4 acres of land in 1900. Beaulieu Vineyard derives its name from the French phrase "Quel beau lieu" which translates in English as "What a beautiful place!". Legend has it that Fernande uttered these words when she first saw the land. The following year, they purchased a nearby winery originally built by California Statje Senator Seneca Ewer in 1885. De Latour's knowledge about phylloxera; which had ravaged many Napa Valley vineyard and his decision to import a rootstock variety resistant to the pest helped secure his stature as one of the early pioneers of California's wine industry. When Prohibition in the United States began in 1920, most wineries in the country were forced to close. However, Beaulieu smartly obtained a contract to supply sacramental wine to churches nationwide. The demand for such wine increased dramatically during the years of Prohibition and the winery repeatedly expanded. By the Repeal of Prohibition in 1933, production had grown to over 1 million US gallons per year. When Prohibition ended, Beaulieu hired Andre Tchelistcheff from France as winemaker and the quality of its wines increased significantly. Tchelistcheff also became a mentor to other important winemakers such as; Mike Grgich at Chateau Montelena who’s Chardonnay won (The Judgment of Paris), Joe Heitz of Heitz Wine Cellars, and Robert Mondavi. By the 1940s, Beaulieu wines were served at all major White House functions. In the mid-1940s, Beaulieu was owned by Marquis de Pins, whose wife was a member of the French wine-making de Latour family. In the 1950s and 1960s Beaulieu was considered one of the "big four" Napa Valley producers, along with Inglenook, Charles Krug (I have mad love for their 50’s & 60’s wines. Perhaps, their greatest period) and Louis Martini. The winery was purchased by international conglomerate Heublein Inc. in 1969. Heublein was later acquired by RJR Nabisco, then sold to Grand Metropolitan in 1987. Grand Metropolitan became Diageo in 1997 through a merger with Guinness and is now the largest multinational beer, wine and spirits company in the world. In 2016 Diageo sold Beaulieu Vineyard to Treasury Wine Estates. Between Treasury, Jackson Family Vineyards and Constellation, they own a huge chunk of the wine producing world. Beaulieu Vineyards is one of the largest land owners in Napa Valley with more 1,100 acres in vines. Their best parcels are located in the Rutherford appellation. They have plantings of all the major Bordeaux varieties; Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. They also have vineyards with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel and Petite Sirah. In addition, they maintain a vineyard that is used to experiment with a wide variety of different grape varieties including; Carignane, Petite Sirah and Valdiguies. Today, Winemaker Jeffrey Stambor continues the tradition of finely crafted wines handed down to him by legendary BV winemaker Andre Tchelistcheff. — 8 years ago

Peter Scudamore-Smith MW

9.6

Outstanding mature Clare Valley riesling; Bin 7; razor sharp softened acidity of limes, lime-flavoured fruit; emerald-green colour just fab; 12.5%; AUD 110 (UK source); Hardys pointed out the screw cap which preserved it so well; then discontinued when Constellation lost its way; 2005 to 2008 not made; now re-made by Accolade; 2013 sells for less than the 2004; first made 1967. — 11 years ago

with Scott

Jeremy Bohrer

9.2

Still so fresh! — 9 years ago

Billy L.

9.6

2012 TOR Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon
Winemaker-@Jeff Ames
Owner- @Tor Kenward
Pop N Pour
Robert Parker scored it 96 points in 2014;
seems right after a few years of cellar aging.

Classic Oakville To Kalon dark fruits, deep concentration, lots of glycerin, almost black in the glass, classic loamy dirt aromatics, first taste is total satisfaction! Keeps getting better with each sip, opening up nicely with time & more oxidation. Kudos to Tor Kenward & Jeff Ames on this effort! I look forward to the 2015
version of this wine upon release in the future.

On this day 6/16/2017 Fred & Carol Schrader sold Schrader Cellars to Constellation Brands; it's only fitting to enjoy a To Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon!
Cheers! 🍇🍷👍
— 9 years ago

Oliver Seaman

9.7

“The discovery of a wine is of greater moment than the discovery of a constellation. The universe is too full of stars.”

― Benjamin Franklin, circa 1700s — 9 years ago

Corey Zamora, CSW

9.1

The acid level balances out the fruit here nicely. Not bad for a constellation property. — 11 years ago

Matté

Manager The Wine Cellars

9.2

Very appealing, elegant nose that has delicate white and stone fruits with a fam dusting of mineral, smoky, chalkiness with a light creamy edge. Great palate with lovely balance and again an elegant, mineral, ripe lime. Mineral finish — 11 years ago

Sybaritewino C.Lawrence

9.5

boo hoo 😥 or *#+$£€¥!!! 😤 the fact that the historic, centenary vineyard was ripped out and turned into tract homes by the US behemoth, Constellation, is a loss to South Australia's wine heritage. at least I was lucky enough to sip this beautiful wine. just moving into its tertiary phase, yet still holding on to its playful youth, it held my concentration and gained my admiration. boo hoo Constellation why did you do what you did? — 12 years ago

Tierney H

9.0

Clean, crisp. Purchased from the vineyard — 9 years ago

Jimmy Miramontes

9.0

I've stayed away from most Constellation brand wines for a while now. Franciscan, in particular, was one of their properties which I've always felt they were missing the mark on as it just wasn't living up to their potential, imho. But, I was pleasantly surprised by their current releases on a recent trip up. So, tonight, I had the 2014 vintage with a NY steak & roasted asparagus. The wine was very fruit forward & had good tannins. I still think Franciscan could do better, overall, but definite improvement from, say, 10 yrs ago. — 9 years ago

with Gabriella

Jean Pedigo

9.2

Yes yes yes! Orion is not a constellation but a god! Fab juice from Russell Family Vineyards and the King of Syrah, Carl Bowker of Caliza Vineyards — 9 years ago

Mark Wilson

9.2

Almost identical to Meiomi which is the Pinot made by same winery as Caymus. They sold Meiomi to constellation brands and came up with Tuli to replace it. Very smooth nice after taste. — 11 years ago

Carlo Mondavi

Owner/Winegrower RAEN Winery, Partner Continuum

9.5

Beautiful wine... I was in the cellar this year and remember how healthy the fruit and vineyard was... Chiseled rows by hand... This was back when my father was in charge of the vineyard and cellar. Farming was pure and clean. It's disappointing to see how the farming has changed post 2004 (after constellation took over)... With that said you can still find beautiful organic farming adjacent to where this came from via @Graeme MacDonald To Kalon vineyard (not named To Kalon even though it is historically a To Kalon Vinyard and site). That along with a few others are the real To Kalon and real wines worthy of collecting in this area today... But this wine was delicious. — 11 years ago

Virgil Smaltz

9.9

Friday night at Lucca wood fired pizza in Victor - nothing like supporting the local Constellation Brands... — 13 years ago

with Monica