98 Points Parker - limited Limited new release from Schrader Cellars. 98 Points Robert Parker: "The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon RBS, also from clone 337, but in this case from the Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard, shows an absolutely perfect 100-point nose of red, black and blue fruits, charcoal, graphite and forest floor. It hits the palate with a seamless integration of wood, tannin, acidity and alcohol and has tremendous opulence and palate presence in its full-bodied, long finish. On aromatics alone, it rates a perfect score, but I ended up being somewhat conservative I suppose. It should drink well for three decades as well....After the remarkable performance of the 2012s, I would be hard-pressed to believe that Schrader could equal or eclipse that vintage, but they seem to have certainly equaled the quality of the 2012s. The 2013s are slightly more coiled and more tightly knit and with probably greater definition. That said, they all possess fabulous concentration and palate presence. Any of these will make a spectacular elixir/vinous treat to serve and consume over the next 25-30+ years." The Schraders, working with well-known winemaking consultant Thomas Rivers Brown, continue to farm and produce some of the world’s greatest Cabernet Sauvignons from three fabulous Beckstoffer-owned vineyards: the To Kalon Vineyard in Oakville, the Georges III Vineyard in Rutherford and the Las Piedras Vineyard in St. Helena. To Kalon is gravelly, eluvial, loamy soils; Georges III Vineyard is an old creek bed; and Las Piedras Vineyard in St. Helena is planted on old river rock and gravelly loam. All of these blocks utilized for Schrader’s wines encompass over 25+ acres and are custom-farmed – as Fred Schrader likes to say, essentially “virtual vineyards,” even though they’re not owned by the Schraders. Their initial focus, which has proven so successful, is essentially a microscopic study of different clones planted in different blocks with exactly the same philosophy of viticulture, harvesting, winemaking, élevage and bottling. Production of all the 2012s, which was a slightly more generous and later harvest than 2013 with bigger berries, ranges from 200 cases for the Old Sparky and Georges III, to 520 for the CCS, 420 for the T6, 625 for the RBS, 370 for the Schrader, 620 for the LPV and 100 cases for the newest baby, the Colesworthy, which is a selection of the best barrels of their Las Piedras offering. Some of the other characteristics of these wines are that they all spend about 20 months in barrel, but the percentages of new Darnajou and new Taransaud varied from cuvée to cuvée, although the CCS is 100% new Darnajou, as are the Old Sparky and the Colesworthy. Finished alcohol on the 2012s is in line with other vintages, at 14.4%-14.6%. And in 2013, virtually identical numbers of 14.4%-14.6% were achieved. The consistency and the analytical aspects of the wines is mirrored in the incredible quality that Schrader has produced.
Mike R
Schrader was just so decadent w nice blue and raspberries and Cherri fruit - tertiary notes like chocolate, spring blossoms, plums, cassis and I think graphite - fine tannins and exceptional balance on the palate and a sexy finish - love Schrader - and yes I destroyed the label but not the wine thank God
Schrader was just so decadent w nice blue and raspberries and Cherri fruit - tertiary notes like chocolate, spring blossoms, plums, cassis and I think graphite - fine tannins and exceptional balance on the palate and a sexy finish - love Schrader - and yes I destroyed the label but not the wine thank God
9.5Greg Ballington
Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog
Fifth of the blind red wines. Theme was Cabernet Sauvignon or Bordeaux Blend from Oakville, Stags Leap District or generic Napa Valley with professional reviews of 95+. Deep purplish ruby red and completely coats the glass. Layered nose with nuances of mint, rich baking spices, blackberries and graphite. Heavy tannins (7/10) with a full body. Rich mouthfeel coated with violets, cassis, blackberries, cinnamon, and cocoa. Long and lingering finish. Most powerful of the night. Drink till 2039.
Fifth of the blind red wines. Theme was Cabernet Sauvignon or Bordeaux Blend from Oakville, Stags Leap District or generic Napa Valley with professional reviews of 95+. Deep purplish ruby red and completely coats the glass. Layered nose with nuances of mint, rich baking spices, blackberries and graphite. Heavy tannins (7/10) with a full body. Rich mouthfeel coated with violets, cassis, blackberries, cinnamon, and cocoa. Long and lingering finish. Most powerful of the night. Drink till 2039.
9.6Carl Fischer
This was absolutely incredible. Honestly may have been my wine of the night. Everything I love about a California cab - amazing fruit, silky and luscious mouthfeel, and incredible balance. This to me was so close to perfect as one can get. Thank you @Eric LaMasters for sharing this with us.
This was absolutely incredible. Honestly may have been my wine of the night. Everything I love about a California cab - amazing fruit, silky and luscious mouthfeel, and incredible balance. This to me was so close to perfect as one can get. Thank you @Eric LaMasters for sharing this with us.
9.9Brad Hemmer
Intense! Give this one more time in the bottle.
Intense! Give this one more time in the bottle.
9.2David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
It's all big dark fruit, cherry cola, baking spices, spice and wood/barrel toast. Needs 10 years plus for a bigger rating. It's got potential but it won't reveal it's true nature for some time. It's nice to try this but it was silly for the person that brought it to open. Especially, during a great Bordeaux wine dinner night like tonight.
It's all big dark fruit, cherry cola, baking spices, spice and wood/barrel toast. Needs 10 years plus for a bigger rating. It's got potential but it won't reveal it's true nature for some time. It's nice to try this but it was silly for the person that brought it to open. Especially, during a great Bordeaux wine dinner night like tonight.
9.2Tom Garland
Oh the calamity.....leftover Waygu steak from last night's zoom Cain tasting...had to pop something worthy to go with it! 1.5 hour decant(decent chunky sediment). A majestic inky purplish garnet color. On the nose: a surprisingly subtle nose of dark cherry, spearmint, little blueberry, vanilla oak, graphite, and cedar. Taste: creamy, juicy, full body wine with blackberry, pencil lead, leather, cassis, and a long spiced dark chocolate finish. YUM!!! Drinks well with the decant and should keep going for many years.
Oh the calamity.....leftover Waygu steak from last night's zoom Cain tasting...had to pop something worthy to go with it! 1.5 hour decant(decent chunky sediment). A majestic inky purplish garnet color. On the nose: a surprisingly subtle nose of dark cherry, spearmint, little blueberry, vanilla oak, graphite, and cedar. Taste: creamy, juicy, full body wine with blackberry, pencil lead, leather, cassis, and a long spiced dark chocolate finish. YUM!!! Drinks well with the decant and should keep going for many years.
9.4Howard Lin
Great wine, smooth going in, dry/acidic finish. Outdoor dinner with Hsias
Great wine, smooth going in, dry/acidic finish. Outdoor dinner with Hsias
9.2Billy L.
Both the RBS BECKSTOFFER TOKALON & LPV are excellent right now.
Both the RBS BECKSTOFFER TOKALON & LPV are excellent right now.
9.8Alvaro Bustillos
Cade central 1/2016
Cade central 1/2016
9.4Billy L.
PNP, Fabulous nose with dark black fruit, deep concentration, integrated tannins. Enjoy if you’ve got it! TRB Gem
PNP, Fabulous nose with dark black fruit, deep concentration, integrated tannins. Enjoy if you’ve got it! TRB Gem
9.7WARNING: DRINKING DISTILLED SPIRITS, BEER, COOLERS, WINE AND OTHER ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES MAY INCREASE CANCER RISK, AND, DURING PREGNANCY, CAN CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS.