Winemaker Notes
The debut release of Schrader WH Cabernet Sauvignon adds dimension to their portfolio as the grapes are grown on a hillside in the upper end of the acclaimed Stags Leap District. The glossy eggplant hue hints at the complement of red, blue, and purple fruit characters present in the wine. Blackberry, dark currant, red cherry, and briar berry aromas combine with pleasing threads of baking spice, black licorice, floral petal, and soft, dusty earth tones. This stunning wine shows the tremendous power of a classic Napa Valley Cabernet handsomely paired with an ample fruit core, firm structure, integrated tannins, and a polished, long-lasting finish.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
This is a fantastic new wine, with crushed berries, stones, and oyster shell with moss and pine needles. Full and linear, with agile acidity that gives the wine energy. It’s salty and lively. So focused and mouthwatering.
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Jeb Dunnuck
A new wine from this team, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Wappo Hill comes from a famous site in the Stags Leap District and is all Cabernet Sauvignon. At a high level, Stags Leap is a slightly cooler region, and the wines shine for their complexity, and that's certainly the case here. Lots of cassis, violets, graphite, dried flowers, and spicy oak define the bouquet, and it's medium to full-bodied, has good acidity, some chalky tannins, and notable freshness and purity. The acidity is higher here, but this still brings plenty of classic Schrader opulence and texture.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A new vineyard source for Schrader, from a famous site in Stags Leap planted to Clone 685, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Wappo Hill features a lovely mix of red and black fruit. Full-bodied, silky, rich and intense, it combines the silk and harmony typical of the region with the intensity that Schrader and consultant Thomas Rivers Brown are known for, finishing elegant and long. Best After 2022
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Wine Spectator
Showy, with waves of cassis, plum pâte de fruit and blackberry preserves backed by licorice snap, roasted apple wood and cocoa. A nice, racy graphite spine provides necessary support. A hedonist's delight.
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.