To Kalon Vineyard Company
Eliza's Red
Oakville
2021
Vintage
Varietal
Cabernet Sauvignon / Cabernet Franc Blend
ABV
Where it is, June 2026
Approaching Peak: drinkable, but best years are ahead.
In 2026 the wine is just entering its drinking window. The dense fruit and firm tannins dominate, with the savory mineral character of To Kalon beginning to emerge. Decant 2-3 hours for best current expression. Better to wait; peak expression begins in 2028 and runs nearly two decades.
The ‘21 Eliza's Red.
A Bordeaux blend from the heart of To Kalon Vineyard: dense, structured, and built for the long arc.
Drinking window
Tasting note
Deep ruby-purple. The nose lifts with black raspberry, dark plum, and a distinct cigar-box-and-mint edge. Notes of crushed stone, licorice, and warm spice build with air. The palate is full-bodied with firm, fine-grained tannins (7/10) and bright acidity (7/10). Cassis, black cherry, and a savory mineral undertow run through the mid-palate. The finish is long, structured, and finishes on a note of dark chocolate and warm stone.
The 2021 vintage
2021 in Oakville produced wines of remarkable structure and concentration after a dry, cool growing season. The To Kalon Vineyard, with its deep alluvial soils and continuous cultivation since the 1860s, particularly benefited from the year's combination of ripeness and freshness.
About To Kalon Vineyard Company
To Kalon Vineyard Company farms a portion of the historic To Kalon Vineyard in Oakville, where Eliza's Red is the estate's Bordeaux blend. The wine is made in a polished, structured style designed for long-term cellaring.
From the cellar: pair with
Dry-aged ribeye with bone marrow
The wine's polished structure and dark fruit meet the steak's char; the marrow softens the firm tannins.
Braised lamb shank with rosemary jus
Long-cooked lamb's depth aligns with the wine's secondary herbal notes; the rich jus mirrors the wine's density.
Aged cheddar with toasted walnut bread
Sharp aged cheddar meets the wine's structure directly; the walnut echoes the wine's cedar-and-spice notes.
Service & cellaring
- Serving Temp
- 62-64°F (16-18°C)
- Decanting
- 2-3 hours in 2026. By 2032, 60-90 minutes is sufficient.
- Cellar Storage
- 55°F (13°C), 60-70% humidity.
The drinking window on this bottle is calculated with the Cellared Ageability Index (CAI) v1.0, a 10-factor model. Try the free drinking window calculator on any wine, or read when to drink wine for the practical signals.
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Frequently Asked
Is 2021 To Kalon Eliza's Red ready to drink?
Just barely. The drinking window opened in 2025 but the wine is still tightly wound. Better to wait: peak expression begins in 2028 and runs through 2045.
How long will Eliza's Red age?
A To Kalon-sourced Bordeaux blend from a structured vintage like 2021 routinely ages 25-30 years. Expect peak between 2028 and 2045, with graceful decline through 2050.
Should I decant Eliza's Red now?
Yes. 2-3 hours in 2026. The wine still has firm tannins and benefits significantly from air. By 2032, 60-90 minutes will be enough.
How does a To Kalon Bordeaux blend differ from a single-varietal To Kalon Cab?
A blend incorporates Cabernet Franc (and sometimes other Bordeaux varieties) alongside Cabernet Sauvignon, which adds aromatic complexity and softer tannin structure than a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon bottling. The blend approach typically produces a more layered, multi-dimensional wine.