"ALL FOUR OF THE NEW SCHRADER CABERNETS ARE BREATHTAKING, THE BEST HE'S MADE YET."
- James Laube, Wine Spectator

2004 SCHRADER CABERNET SAUVIGNON, Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard

Rated 97 Pts. Dark, dense and powerful without being heavy or ponderous. Tiers of mocha-laced currant, cassis, blackberry, spice and subtle herb shadings give this tightly focused wine great depth and personality. Drink now through 2015 (James Laube, Wine Spectator)

Rated 96+ Pts. Made mostly from Clone 4 with some Clone 6 and Clone 337 (100% from the To-Kalon Vineyard), the 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the more abundant cuvees (250 cases versus 125 of the RBS, 175 of the CCS, and 100 cases of the Old Sparky). The wine has great purity, richness, and wonderful sweet, smoky, coffee bean, and black currant notes intermixed with some spring flowers and cedar. Very rich, full-bodied, and intense, with an almost Graves-like scorched earth/hot stone sort of character, this wine exhibits superb ripeness, purity, texture, and a multi-dimensional personality. (Robert M. Parker, The Wine Advocate)


2004 SCHRADER CABERNET SAUVIGNON CCS, Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard

Rated 97 Pts. Reveals its depth and complexity in spades, with an initial push of ripe currant, black cherry, blackberry and mocha-laced oak. Intense and concentrated yet sleek and vibrant, with a tremendous aftertaste that's tight, focused and refined. (James Laube, Wine Spectator)

Rated 94 Pts. The 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon CCS, which is from Clones 4 and 337, and a blend from not only the To-Kalon Vineyard but also one of the other Beckstoffer vineyards, River Slope in St. Helena, has a dense ruby/purple color, a beautiful nose of crème de cassis, scorched earth, flowers, white chocolate, and espresso, and loads of fruit. The wine has phenomenal intensity and actually has a texture and complexity more like that of a top Pomerol (which is largely Merlot and Cabernet Franc, rather than Cabernet Sauvignon). Nevertheless, this is a beauty that can be drunk now or aged 15 or more years. It is aged 20 months in 100% new Darnajou barrels. (Robert M. Parker, The Wine Advocate)

2004 SCHRADER CABERNET SAUVIGNON RBS, Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard

Rated 96 Pts. Aromas of chocolate-covered cherry join currant, herb, cedar and spice in this sleek, polished youngster. Lush and smooth on the palate, it offers depth and concentration without weight. Shows a hint of heat on the finish. Tannins are ripe and integrated. (James Laube, Wine Spectator)

Rated 93+ Pts. The dense purple-colored 2004 Schrader Cabernet Sauvignon RBS, which is 100% from the To-Kalon Vineyard and Clone 337, is a more structured, meaty, muscular wine with an inky purple color and powerful cassis flavors intermixed with some smoke, licorice, and graphite. This wine, which was so open-knit and opulent last year, has closed down, but it is bursting with potential and I am sure it will ultimately merit a score in the mid-90s when it hits its peak of maturity in 3-5 years. (Robert M. Parker, The Wine Advocate)

2004 SCHRADER CABERNET SAUVIGNON “OLD SPARKY”, Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard

Rated 95+ Pts. The 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Old Sparky, which is 100% Beckstoffer fruit, and essentially a different blend of clones, primarily Clone 6, is dazzling. This wine is dense purple in color with a big, smoky, floral nose of blueberry, blackberry, creosote, and some pain grille. Its terrific texture, fabulous opulence, and power all augur for a wine that will last 20 or more years. (Robert M. Parker, The Wine Advocate)

Rated 95 Pts. Impressive for its delicacy, finesse and flavors that build, with intense, concentrated ripe cherry and plum flavors that are deep and persistent, with spice, cedar and berry-laced fruit on the smooth, polished finish. (James Laube, Wine Spectator)