2013 World's End Cabernet Sauvignon Money Talks Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard Rutherford 750 ml

100pt Le Dôme, Rutherford Dust … and Andy Beckstoffer’s Georges III

In 1996, Jonathan Maltus, intrigued by Jacques Thienpont’s winemaking at Le Pin, scoured Bordeaux’s Right Bank for vineyard land. In the heart of Saint-Émilion, he discovered a 5-acre jewel adjacent to Premier Grand Cru Classé Château Angélus, and bought it on the spot.

Thirteen years later, Maltus — now one of the torchbearers of the Right Bank’s “Garagiste” movement — earned a 99-point rating from The Wine Advocate for his 2009 Le Dôme. One year later, Robert Parker upped the ante, as the 2010 Le Dôme joined Châteaux Petrus and Cheval Blanc in the Right Bank’s 100-point club.

Given the 2010 Le Dôme’s $300/bottle price tag, most French winemakers would have sat back, basked in the critical sun, and counted their winnings. Not Maltus. Intrigued by the massive black-fruit concentration of Opus One, Caymus, and Staglin, Maltus flew to San Francisco, and made a beeline to the doorstep of Napa Valley’s most celebrated grape grower, Andy Beckstoffer.

Each year, three Beckstoffer vineyards — To-Kalon and Missouri Hopper in Oakville and the famous Georges III in Rutherford — eke out a few tons per acre of the most sought-after Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa Valley. Maltus, as always shooting for the stars, contracted for a few tons off of each site. The price he purportedly paid? Upwards of $15,000/ton!!

Until today, the highest rating accorded to Jonathan Maltus’s World’s End was for the 2010 “Crossfire,” drawn entirely from Missouri Hopper Vineyard. Parker described that powerhouse Cabernet Sauvignon as being “deep purple (in) color … followed by abundant notes of creme de cassis and flowers,” before tacking on a 95-point addendum.

With the release of the 2013 World’s End Cabernet Sauvignon “Money Talks” — drawn entirely from Georges III Vineyard, adjacent to Caymus — Jonathan Maltus is again poised to flirt with Le Dôme perfection.

Brilliant, saturated purple. Explosive aromatically, filled with gobs of black raspberry and cassis, a dash of anise, plenty of new-wood cedar. Profoundly concentrated, dark and compact, the core features a highly energetic, high-toned mix of blackberry and black cherry preserves. Much like Le Dôme, this mind-boggling 2013 marries irresistible black-fruit opulence with plenty of dusty Rutherford Bench backbone, strongly arguing for a 15- to 20-year stay in the coolest of cellars.

Total production of 400 cases. $120 per bottle to the World’s End mailing list. Something quite a bit more irresistible for short time this afternoon — ONLY on WineAccess. Interesting tasting note below from one of Bordeaux’s most astute tasters, Pierre Paillardon, former Meilleur Jeune Sommelier de France and Meilleur Sommelier de Paris.