2008 SCHRADER CCS CABERNET SAUVIGNON Vineyard:     Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard, Oakville Varietal:       100% Cabernet Sauvignon Clone:          Clones 4 and 337 Aging:          20 months on average Cooperage:  Darnajou and Taransaud

PRESS NOTES ON SCHRADER CCS CABERNET SAUVIGNON:

2008 SCHRADER CCS CABERNET SAUVIGNON, Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard
Rated (98-100) Pts. The 2008 Schrader Cabernet Sauvignons were undoubtedly the finest 2008 Napa Cabernets I tasted. Thomas Brown told me it was the second straight drought year, and while there were some heat spikes, overall it was a warm year. Nearly all of the 2008 offerings possesses a slight degree of higher alcohol, but that component is not detectable. The wines reveal showy personalities, and even more flamboyance than the 2007s. At this stage, less minerality as well as more structure are present, and the wines seem fleshier, more flamboyant and even more opulent than the extraordinary 2007s. There is the potential for two perfect 2008s, the Cabernet Sauvignon CCS and Cabernet Sauvignon Schrader, as well as three upper 90-point wines, the T6, RBS, and George III. When all the dust settles many years from now, I suspect 2008 may turn out – at least for Schrader – as great as 2007. Last year the 2007s seemed more grapy and less nuanced than the 2006s, but one would not make that statement tasting the 2007s out of bottle as they are quite structured, and exhibit great minerality, complexity, and potential. The 2008s are gorgeously fruity, rich, and opulent at present. In another year they should be far more delineated and complex. (Robert M. Parker, The Wine Advocate)



2007 SCHRADER CCS CABERNET SAUVIGNON, Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard
Rated 100 Pts. There is something about the inky/purple-hued 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard CCS (clone 4) that blows me away. The most opulent, perfumed, and accessible of these wines, it exhibits an opaque purple color as well as an extraordinary density and richness in addition to copious creme de cassis, cedar, ink, and spice box characteristics. As with all of these wines, there is a seamless integration of acidity, tannin, wood, and alcohol in addition to phenomenal length and ripeness. The multidimensional personality and full-bodied style, with both power and elegance, is compelling. This amazing effort can be drunk now, but it will be even better in 4-5 years, and should unfold gracefully over the following 30+ years. (Robert M. Parker, The Wine Advocate)



2006 SCHRADER CCS CABERNET SAUVIGNON, Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard
Rated 100 Pts. The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To-Kalon CCS is utter perfection in Cabernet Sauvignon. Extraordinary power, fruit depth, and perfume (not dissimilar from its siblings) as well as a seamlessness, monumental richness, and a staggering finish are the stuff of legends. Again, the dominant characteristics are creme de cassis, graphite, espresso, blackberries, chocolate, and subtle background new oak.

As I wrote last year, this is a fascinating portfolio of 100% Cabernet Sauvignons all of them from Beckstoffer-owned vineyards, including the To-Kalon Vineyard in Oakville, and one wine from the George III Vineyard in Rutherford. All the wines are aged in 100% new French oak, usually a combination of Darnajou and Taransaud barrels, with a higher percentage of Darnajou used for the T6, CCS, Old Sparky, and Schrader. The different bottlings are essentially based on specific blocks and/or specific clones of Cabernet Sauvignon. In short, I think the 2006s are arguably the finest wines of the vintage, and the 2007s appear to be as profound. (Robert M. Parker, The Wine Advocate)

Rated 93 Pts. Tightly wound, firm and concentrated, deep and framed by cedary oak. It takes time for the ripe currant and black cherry fruit to emerge, but once it does, it grabs and holds you. Best from 2010 through 2017. (James Laube, Wine Spectator)



2005 SCHRADER CCS CABERNET SAUVIGNON, Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard
Rated 95 Pts. Dark and intense, with firm, structured currant, black cherry, blackberry and spicy, cedary flavors that provide backbone and depth. Young and tight, this needs time, revealing an elegance and refinement on the finish. (James Laube, Wine Spectator)

Rated 94 Pts. The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon CCS, which is clone 4 from block C1, displays a bit more depth and tannic structure. Its inky/ruby/purple color is accompanied by sensational aromas of crème de cassis, scorched earth, acacia flowers, licorice, cedar, and grilled meats. Pure, full-bodied, and powerful, it should hit its prime in 4-5 years, and last for 25. (James Laube, Wine Spectator)




2004 SCHRADER CCS CABERNET SAUVIGNON, Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard
WINE SPECTATOR'S HIGHEST RATED CABERNET SAUVIGNON for the 2004 Vintage!
"ALL FOUR OF THE NEW SCHRADER CABERNETS ARE BREATHTAKING, THE BEST HE'S MADE YET."   -James Laube, Wine Spectator

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)