Carpe Vinum Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville 2019

Many of us wine professionals came to our chosen careers by way of restaurants, the ACME team included.  Before founding ACME in 2003, Karen was the wine buyer at the famed Tra Vigne restaurant and its storied Cantinetta wine bar.  Liz worked with the best of the best at the three-Michelin-starred The Restaurant at Meadowood.  Carina managed restaurants nationwide before moving to Napa and joining ACME's team.  It's an easy and obvious leap from food to wine not only because of the tradition of food and wine pairing but also because of the shared ability to bring people together for a collective experience.  Of the hospitality folks we know, the ultimate goal when serving a new menu item or uncorking a treasured bottle from the cellar is the thrill that comes from witnessing others' pure joy while gathered together with friends and family.  John Pearce, proprietor of Carpe Vinum, is no stranger to this pursuit, having worked decades in the restaurant industry wearing all the possible hats from waiter to bartender, sommelier, manager, and eventually owner.  John credits restaurants with sparking and nurturing his wine interest through the years.  

In 2019, a fortuitous meeting with winemaker Michael Scorsone and a lucky bit of chance brought John's musings of launching a wine label to life.  Michael and John's friendship quickly blossomed, and John soon shared his longtime dream of making wine.  While Michael's name may not be one you recognize right off the bat, he has spent the last two decades behind the scenes at some of Napa and Sonoma's top producers.  He spent his first harvests working as the Cellar Master for Neyers Vineyards, interned at wineries in Italy and New Zealand, and returned to California to take on the role of Assistant Winemaker to Ehren Jordan of Failla Wines from 2004 to 2007.  Since Failla and presently, Michael has consulted on multiple projects across Napa and Sonoma, including developing a vineyard irrigation and solar system on Fred Schrader's Boars' View property.  When John was offered 20 barrels of 2019 Reisacher Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon in its infancy, he snatched up the wine and made his first call to Michael.  The two paired up to finish crafting this vintage, and so Carpe Vinum was born.

Carpe Vinum's mission is honed on making outstanding single-vineyard wines from Napa and Sonoma, and in keeping with this ethos, they've released their 2019 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from what is arguably one of the finest vineyards in Napa Valley, Beckstoffer To Kalon.  Those partial to Napa Valley wines will expound on the virtues of Oakville's To Kalon terroir and the history of the original parcel, which Napa pioneer H.W. Crabb planted in the late 1800s.  To Kalon stands out amongst other vineyards as the alluvial soils transported by natural springs and rainwater down the Mayacamas combine with the loam and clay of the valley floor to produce a truly unique composition even by Napa Valley standards.  The vines benefit from the ancient seabed deposits in Mayacamas, the nutrient-rich loam, and moisture-retaining clay, producing wines with prolific aromatic complexity and unparalleled texture.

After 26 months in 100% new French Oak, this intensely decadent Cabernet Sauvignon is as powerful and enticing as ever.  Unctuous, savory aromas like balsamic and roasted mushrooms are delightfully pleasing as they intertwine with hints of wild raspberry and black cherry.  Brightening acidity uplifts the velvety tannins as they coat the palate with a finessed finish, making this a lovely selection for cellaring away.  When auditioning this Apex bottle for cellar potential, we recommend an hour of decanting before pouring a glass for whomever in your life comes together to enjoy.