2019 Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard The Grand Daddy

The 2019 Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard “The Grand Daddy” is a commanding Napa Valley red that showcases one of the most coveted vineyard sites in the world. Sourced from prime old-vine blocks in Oakville’s legendary To Kalon Vineyard, this wine delivers depth, polish and unmistakable pedigree. Crafted in tiny quantities, it represents Carter Cellars’ powerful yet finely tuned expression of Napa Cabernet at its most luxurious.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2019 “Grand Daddy” is a deep, opaque garnet, almost inky at the core with a vivid purple rim that hints at its concentration and youth. The nose is intensely layered, offering waves of ripe blackcurrant, blackberry and crème de cassis, supported by notes of graphite, cedar, violets, dark chocolate and a subtle hint of tobacco and warm baking spices from élevage in high-quality French oak. On the palate, this is a full-bodied, structured Cabernet with plush, fine-grained tannins and a luxurious, mouth-filling texture. Ripe black and blue fruits dominate—cassis, black plum and boysenberry—framed by accents of espresso, licorice, pencil shavings and a touch of savory dried herbs. The mid-palate is dense yet energetic, carrying through to a long, persistent finish marked by mineral undertones and refined oak. While already impressive with some air, the 2019 has the structure and concentration to age gracefully for 15–20 years or more under proper cellaring, further integrating its components and gaining complexity.

Production
Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard sits on the western side of Oakville in Napa Valley, where gravelly, well-drained alluvial soils and optimal sun exposure produce Cabernet Sauvignon of remarkable intensity and purity. The “Grand Daddy” cuvée typically comes from older vines in prime blocks, giving naturally low yields of small, flavor-packed berries. Grapes are hand-harvested at optimal ripeness in the cool of the night or early morning, then carefully sorted to ensure only pristine fruit makes it into the fermenters. Vinification focuses on small-lot fermentations, allowing precise control over extraction of color, tannin and aromatics, followed by aging in predominantly new French oak barrels to enhance texture and complexity without overshadowing the vineyard’s signature character.

Food & Serving
This is a classic candidate for rich, protein-driven pairings: think dry-aged ribeye, grilled lamb chops with rosemary, slow-braised short ribs, or a truffle-infused beef tenderloin. It also suits aged hard cheeses such as Comté, aged Gouda or Parmigiano-Reggiano. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) to highlight both structure and aromatics. Decanting is strongly recommended—give it 1–2 hours if drinking now to soften the tannins and open the bouquet; as it ages, a shorter decant primarily to remove sediment will suffice.

Producer
Carter Cellars was founded by Mark Carter in the late 1990s with a focus on sourcing exceptional fruit from Napa Valley’s most revered vineyards, including Beckstoffer To Kalon, Beckstoffer Las Piedras and other elite sites. Working with top vineyard sources and experienced winemaking talent, Carter Cellars has built a reputation for dense, collectible Cabernet Sauvignons that consistently earn critical acclaim and high scores. In the Napa Valley landscape, the estate is recognized as a benchmark producer of single-vineyard Cabernet, showcasing the distinct personalities of each terroir while maintaining a house style that emphasizes richness, precision and age-worthy structure.

We deliver within 2 - 6 business days. You can choose whether it should be to a parcel shop or home delivery. Free delivery to both parcel shops and your front door. Our store partners primarily use GLS, DPD, UPS and DHL for deliveries. We cover deliveries to the majority of countries in Europe.