2011 Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon The O.G.

(14.8% alcohol): Good bright ruby-red. Blackberry and violet scents are sexed up by spicy oak. Plush, sweet and nicely concentrated, offering terrific balance and richness for 2011. With its lovely dark berry intensity, this comes across as the ripest and most extract-rich of the 2011 Carter cabernets. The long, fruity, slowly mounting tannins features suave tannins. A terrific 2011.

The medium-bodied, fruit-forward 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon The O. G. possesses the best grip and richness, but it has nowhere near the concentration, depth, power and length of the 2010s. Nevertheless, this attractive 2011 may merit an outstanding score in a few years. For a number of years, this has been one of most impressive portfolios in Napa Valley, and as one might expect, the 2010s are outrageous offerings. Tel. (707) 445-0311

(the yield here was just 0.83 ton from one acre in 2011, according to Mark Carter; clone 337): Bright, dark ruby. Cassis, licorice and strong rocky minerality on the nose. Sweet, tactile and deep, with dark berry and brown spice complicated by a saline quality. Excellent layered texture and verve here. Finishes with substantial broad, fine-grained tannins and good mounting length. Thick for the vintage but also very nicely focused. There will be just 2 barrels of this wine, compared to 10 or 12 in 2012!