Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Characteristic of this vintage, there is magnificent fat, sucrosity and thickness on display in all of these wines. They are inky black/purple and seemingly low in acidity, but according to Thomas Rivers Brown the acids were quite sound and healthy. The tannins are present, but so well-disguised by the high levels of glycerin and sucrosity that they are not that noticeable. Several of these wines, including the Schrader, CCS, T6 and LPV have the potential for perfect scores. These will be thrilling to taste next year and will continue the incredible legacy that Schrader Cellars has developed over the years.
Range:96-100 -
Jeb Dunnuck
Another wine that flirts with perfection is the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Schrader (aka Schrader Schrader). It’s one of the more opulent, massive and sweetly fruited beauties in the lineup, yet it has incredible purity and elegance, as well as full-bodied power and richness. Cassis, toasted spices, licorice, and chocolate all emerge from this long, rich, perfectly balanced beauty. There are just over 200 cases produced and it’s going to deliver the goods for two decades, although there’s no harm in early gratification either.
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James Suckling
Hot stones and blueberries. Oyster shell, too. Full-bodied and tight with ultra-long tannins and crispness. Tight and balanced.
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Wine Spectator
Beautifully crafted, deep, rich and multifaceted, with tiers of dark berry, cherry, plum and wild berry, this is deftly balanced, making it notably easy to approach now, but a great choice for the cellar as well. Best from 2020 through 2033.
A noble variety bestowed with both power and concentration, Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys success all over the globe, its best examples showing potential to age beautifully for decades. Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in Bordeaux's Medoc where it is often blended with Merlot and smaller amounts of some combination of Cabernet Franc, Malbecand Petit Verdot. In the Napa Valley, ‘Cab’ is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious, age-worthy and sought-after “cult” wines. Somm Secret—DNA profiling in 1997 revealed that Cabernet Sauvignon was born from a spontaneous crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in 17th century southwest France.
Home to some of the most sought-after Cabernet Sauvignon in America, Napa Valley’s Oakville district stretches across the center of Napa's valley floor and foothills between the Vaca and Mayacamas Mountains. This AVA is home to the legendary To Kalon Vineyard and Martha's Vineyard, as well as many powerhouse wineries including Screaming Eagle, Silver Oak, Robert Mondavi, Opus One, Far Niente and Groth.
The climate is generally warm and agreeable, resulting in year after year of favorable vintages. Summer days see a gentle tug of war between warmer inland air and the cool air coming in from the San Pablo Bay, creating an ideal environment to grow red varieties. Oakville's diverse soils, namely ancient sea bedrock, clay and gravel, are well-drained, and perfect for high-caliber viticulture.
Cabernet here is often bottled varietally but is also popular in Bordeaux Blends. Oakville wines are known for their silky, sensual textures, structured tannins, dark and brooding fruit and lovely aromatics. These age-worthy and prestigious wines are favored by collectors throughout the world.