2007 Provenance Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard

In California, there are several regions where Cabernet Sauvignon is grown. The big daddy of these regions is the Napa Valley. Lots of famous wines and wineries are in Napa and the Cabernets here command some of the highest prices in the US, and even the world.

But within Napa, there are even smaller regions, Howell Mountain, Pritchard Hill, and Oakville (just to name a few) that boast greater prestige, and even smaller yet are the specific vineyards within these sub-regions and AVAs (American Viticultural Areas) that are producing grapes highly treasured and in great demand.

Sitting on the west side of the Napa Valley’s Oakville appellation, Beckstoffer To Kalon vineyard produces grapes that are only made available to a small number of wineries.  Napa pioneer Hamilton Crabb first planted the vineyard in 1868, and it has been used to grow some of the Napa Valley’s best red grapes ever since. The vineyard is so treasured that in 2007 the property was placed under a land conservation easement that forever prohibits non-agricultural development. That is how seriously they take their grapes.

So when I say the 2007 Provenance Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard wine has pedigree, I mean it. And lucky for me, it hits the spot as my ideal Napa Cab.

2007 was a highly acclaimed Napa vintage.  Weather was great, the grapes had ideal ripening. Many highly acclaimed wines were released, prices were high, ratings were high and everyone was happy. For the time being, at least.

Now, six years later, there are rumblings that the vintage isn’t holding up as well as people predicted. It’ll still be a while until we know for sure, but I felt no hesitation opening this bottle now, when my instinct might’ve been to let it get to 10 to 15 years old before drinking.

Could this bottle age longer? Yes. Definitely. Will this bottle get better with age? Yes, probably. But was this bottle absolutely crazy delicious right now? Yes, for sure. Do I regret opening it? Not at all.

What I loved so much was that the Provenance seems to hit the perfect balance of fresh young fruit, and all the complexity you’d expect from a great Napa Cab. Beautiful color, currants and cassis with green tobacco and leather. The tannins are ample but well integrated. Wonderful balance and lovely finish, yes, this is drinking really well right now and while I wish I had a couple more bottles to age, I don’t know if I’d have the willpower to let it.