Winemaker Notes
The 2018 Schrader T6 offers an immense profile of mixed berry concentrate overlaid with exotic and savory spices and graphite that showcase the distinct character of clone 6 Cabernet. Flavors of black currants are layered with glints of purple fruits, underscored by sensational notes of savory spices, freshly ground espresso, and summer garden sweet herbs. Always a standout in our portfolio, the 2018 vintage offers a thrilling sensory experience that leads to a monumental, long-lasting finish.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Rocking levels of blueberries, creme de cassis, exotic spices, tobacco, cigar wrapper, and candied violets emerge from the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard T6, which is full-bodied, has a ripe, concentrated mouthfeel, and lots of building tannins. There's no shortage of structure here, yet the tannins are sweet and polished, it has nicely integrated acidity and just beautiful overall balance, although it remains relatively tight and doesn't have the same opulent, expansive mouthfeel found in the CCS, RBS, and Schrader releases. Regardless, it's an incredibly impressive bottle of wine. Give bottles 4-5 years, and it's going to cruise for 20 years or more.
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James Suckling
Aromas of dark berries, cherry pie, conifer, stone and blueberries follow through to a full body with a dense palate of layers of ripe fruit and creamy tannins. It’s very long and complex at the end with a hot-stone and mineral attribute to the ripe fruit.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Schrader’s T6 comes from Beckstoffer’s To Kalon vineyard in Oakville, produced from clone 6 grown on the D2 block. It is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, aged in 100% new Darnajou and Taransaud French oak barrels for 18 months. Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon T6 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard opens with classic cassis, cedar and pencil lead scents, plus nuances of red roses, charcoal and garrigue. Full-bodied, it has a firm and grainy texture with lovely freshness supporting the tons of juicy black fruits, finishing long and earthy.
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Wine Spectator
Vivid, with a coiled energy despite its heft, as cassis, boysenberry and blackberry puree flavors are laced with violet, anise and sassafras hints. There's an underlay of warm earth throughout, but the fruit is the main event, driving through the juicy finish with latent depth for the cellar. Best from 2022 through 2038.
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.