Lithology Beckstoffer To Kalon Cabernet Franc Oakville 2022

Every once in a while, a wine comes across our desks at ACME that makes us stop, grin, and celebrate. This is one of those moments. For the very first time, we're elated to share a Cabernet Franc from the iconic Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard —and trust us, it's every bit as thrilling as it sounds.

To Kalon has long been revered as hallowed ground for Cabernet Sauvignon, producing some of the most legendary wines in Napa Valley. But only the studious oenophiles will know that this esteemed vineyard also grows some of the best Cabernet Franc in the valley. Known for its structured elegance and haunting aromatics, Cabernet Franc takes on new dimensions when grown in To Kalon's legendary soils, and the very special nature of this wine was immediately apparent to us upon our first sip.

Alejandro Bulgheroni's journey into wine began far from Oakville, on a windswept ranch in Uruguay. What started as a dream on unplanted land became Bodega Garzón, a pioneering project that helped redefine South American wine. From there, Alejandro expanded his vision—building estates in Argentina, Australia, Tuscany, and, in 2014, Napa Valley. Here, just south of Meadowood and the Napa Valley Reserve, he transformed a historic property into Alejandro Bulgheroni Estate. With the dream team of Jim Barbour, Philippe Melka, Michel Rolland, and Matt Sands, the estate has become a standard-bearer for terroir-driven Napa Valley wines. Under the Lithology label—named for the study of terroir—each bottling seeks to capture the profound conversation between soil, vine, and season.

In the glass, the 2022 Beckstoffer To Kalon Cabernet Franc is a gorgeous powerhouse: waves of blackberry, cassis, and violets mingle with layers of graphite, mineral, and dark cocoa. On the palate, it carries both depth and lift—a dark, lush core balanced by bright red fruit, cherry blossom, and savory spice. The tannins are fine-grained and persistent, carrying the wine to a finish that is at once powerful and restrained. This wine proves that Cabernet Franc can stand shoulder to shoulder with Cabernet Sauvignon within To Kalon's renowned terroir - maybe even giving its big brother a run for its money.