Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Nearly as tannic as the Schrader Beckstoffer To-Kalon, the 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Old Sparky Beckstoffer To- Kalon Vineyard is the first vintage where Thomas Brown and the Schraders were able to use all of their clones in the blend. Relatively backward and not as open-knit aromatically and fragrant as the T6 or RBS, and not as exuberant as the Schrader To-Kalon, it possesses fabulous intensity, a full-bodied richness and lots of blue and black fruit notes intermixed with graphite and cedarwood. This impressive young wine reminds me of a first growth Pauillac. Forget it for 4-5 years and drink it over the following two decades.
Rating: 97+
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.