TN: 2006 Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard H&C

WINE TALK
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  • 2006 Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard H&C - USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville (11/29/2009)
    Bright, polished cherry color indicative of the pure and crisp red stone fruit to follow. Restrained, from the low impact school of cab. Relatively simple, cherry fruit with light woodsy spice. A bit monochromatic today. Substantial acid, and copious silky tannin. No trace of the cassis, tobacco, or cedar that I usually associate with Napa cab. Notably light, almost ethereal relative to the stated 14.7% ABV. Reminiscent of a young Spring Mtn, but with rounder edges. This took about a 2 hours in the decanter to come together, but I’d guess it needs more cellar time to grow beyond its primary fruit of today.
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Interesting note. Thanks for posting.

Is the H&C blocks?

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I just checked the label and the H&C designation isn’t on the 06, so I don’t know if that’s where they’re sourcing from. I can’t find much of a back story on Carter, other than Fred’s brief anecdote in the Zachy’s catalog from the big Schrader auction. What I find most interesting is how seemingly insignificant terroir was in this wine. It was a good wine, but not monumental.