2015 Chateau Boswell Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Chateau Boswell on the Silverado Trail was established in 1979, which the vintage of the estate’s debut release. Susan and Thornton Boswell founded the winery with consulting from the legendary Andre Tschelistcheff. Today the estate is often under the radar of the general wine buying public, and it has only a few acres under vine. Much of the fruit used for production is sourced from premium vineyards in the region. Chateau Boswell makes extremely limited amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Luc Morlet was making the wine until he left in 2012. More recent vintages have been crafted by Russell Bevan. Reviewers are generally complimentary.

To- Kalon is one of the most famous vineyards in Napa Valley, often called the first “grand cru” California vineyard. It has always inspired those who live near it. Native Americans called the area around it tu-la-halusi – meaning “beautiful land.” And later residents called it To-Kalon, Greek for “the most beautiful.” Originally planted by Hamilton Crabb in 1968, it today is owned by Andy Beckstoffer, the Robert Mondavi Winery and Opus One. Beckstoffer owns the lion’s share, with an 89-acre vineyard planted to Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Beckstoffer sell To-Kalon grapes to such acclaimed producers as Schrader, Paul Hobbs, Tor Kenward, Realm, Alpha Omega and the Morlet Family. Beckstoffer Vineyards, a vineyard management business, owns and farms more than 3,600 acres of highly prestigious grape growing acreage in Napa Valley, Mendocino County and the Red Hills of Lake County. A senior executive with Heublein in the 1960s, Andy Beckstoffer is credited with steering Napa Valley vintners towards improving farming and the quality of the grapes used for wine.

One of the most widely grown grape varieties, it can be found in nearly every wine growing region. A cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. It’s a hardy vine that produces a full-bodied wine with high tannins and great aging potential.