The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, coming from five different blocks, and was harvested "in multiple picks, at a leisurely pace." Deep garnet-purple colored, it rolls sensuously out of the glass with decadent scents of boysenberries, black cherries, redcurrant jelly and blackcurrant pastilles with hints of bouquet garni, black soil and iron ore. Full-bodied, the taut, tightly knit black and red fruit has a firm structure of ripe, grainy tannins and bags of freshness, finishing very long with loads of earth and mineral nuances coming through.
98+ points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate (Oct 2020)
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon is beautiful, offering a more backward, reserved expression of this vineyard than usual, although no less impressive. Beautiful crème de cassis, graphite, white chocolate, and floral notes emerge from the glass, and it’s deep, full-bodied, and concentrated, with ample tannins and mid-palate depth. Tight, backward, and closed, yet with incredible purity, hide bottles for 4-5 years and it should keep for 20-30 years. It’s incredibly well done, and I’d be thrilled to have bottles in the cellar.
98+ points, Jeb Dunnuck (Jan 2021)
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard is a huge, massive wine. Powerful tannins wrap around a core of blackberry jam, bittersweet chocolate, spice, licorice and dark spice. This is the most potent, structured wine in this range from Realm. Readers have to be patient. This full-throttle, opulent Cabernet Sauvignon has plenty to offer, but it needs time in bottle to truly shine.
97+ points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous (Jan 2021)
A full-bodied yet elegant red with aromas of black and red cherries, stewed blackcurrants, cassis leaf, cloves, licorice and potpourri. Dried flowers and pine needles on the palate, too. Lightly peppery with ripe, velvety tannins. Pretty fruit intensity and length. Pure cabernet franc. Only available in magnum. Drinkable now, but better from 2022.
97 points, James Suckling (Jan 2021)