2017 Schrader Cellars 2013 Schrader Cellars - Angry Wine Merchant
2017 Schrader Cellars
2013 Schrader Cellars - Angry Wine Merchant

2017 Schrader Cellars

'Old Sparky'

Cabernet Sauvignon

America / California / Napa Valley / Rutherford

$1,610
JD 98
RP 96
Size:
Quantity:

2017 Schrader Cellars 'Old Sparky' Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, USA

VINTAGE: 2017


ALCOHOL: 14.5%


VINEYARD: Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard


APPELLATION: Oakville, Napa Valley


VARIETAL: Cabernet Sauvignon


CLONE: Clones 4, 6, and 337


COOPERAGE: Aged 20 months in rare Darnajou French oak barrels


WINEMAKER: Thomas Rivers Brown


Tasting Notes
Comprised of the finest barrels from our cellar, the Schrader Old Sparky beautifully reveals ripe black fruits, especially blackberry and blueberry, mixed with notes of roasted espresso and dark chocolate. On the palate, the well-woven tannins provide great balance to the exceptional fruit core. Flavors of currants and tobacco lead into the fragrant finish on this opulent and intense wine. The 2017 Schrader Old Sparky is a dazzling wine and will continue to evolve and gain even more complexity after several years in the cellar.


Vineyard
First planted in 1868 by viticultural and winemaking icon Hamilton Crabb, To Kalon Vineyard® has long been regarded as the source of Napa Valley’s finest Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Within the prime vineyard blocks, an alluvial fan provides excellent and varied mineral deposits, and the rich soils are filled with marine sediment that gives our wines their distinctive profiles. The vines receive full sun and optimal heat during the day and are cooled by marine fog at night. These conditions allow the Cabernet Sauvignon planted in the vineyard to display its own unique character, and this celebration of individuality is the essence of Schrader ®.

Vintage
Spring of 2017 was one of the largest winter rainfall totals we have experienced in recent years. Fortunately, once flowering started, the rains held off and allowed for optimal fruit set and prepared the clusters for even fruit ripening. Veraison finished at the end of August and the vines were positioned for success. Due to a combination of natural phenomena, the yields in 2017 are slightly lower and nearly matched to those that we produced in 2016 and 2015. This lower than average yield allowed for greater concentration on the vine providing the wines with more depth of character and rich complexity.

JD 98

Jeb Dunnuck

If I had to pick a wine of the vintage at this point, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Old Sparky Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard would certainly be one of the top choices. Always a barrel selection (mostly clone 6 and clone 4), it offers extraordinary notes of exotic blue fruits, white flowers, graphite, wet stone-like minerality, and loads of violets. Possessing full-bodied richness and depth, it hits the palate with loads of fruit and texture as well as seamless tannins and integrated acidity. As with the other top wines here, it has that magical mix of richness and elegance that’s the hallmark of all great wines. Aged 20 months in 100% new oak, it’s worth hiding bottles for 4-5 years and it’s going to evolve for 20-25 years or more. Hats off to winemaker Thomas Brown for the talent to produce a wine of this quality in such a challenging vintage. Reviewed by Jeb Dunnuck, Issue date: January, 2020. Drinking window: 2024 - 2049.
RP 96

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

This “Old Sparky” label comes from Beckstoffer’s To Kalon vineyard in Oakville, produced from clone 4 grown on the C1 block (12.5%), clone 4 from the C2 block (12.5%) and clone 6 (50%) and clone 337 (25%) from the B2 block. The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Old Sparky Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and was aged in 100% new Darnajou oak for 20 months. Very deep purple-black colored, the 2017 is redolent of raisin cake, hoisin, preserved plums and crème de cassis with a very provocative perfume of lilacs, cinnamon toast and camphor plus a touch of tilled soil. Full-bodied, the palate is pure seduction, with firm yet velvety tannins and the invigorating freshness lifting the background of all that rich, spicy black fruit, finishing very long. 431 cases were made. Reviewed by Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Issue date: December, 2019. Drinking window: 2021 - 2045.

For INTERNATIONAL shipping, click HERE.

We ship within the United States to:

AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, and WY.

FREE SHIPPING INSURANCE: We provide FREE carrier insurance for lost or damaged shipments (per carrier terms and conditions.)

FREE WINE STORAGE: We provide FREE 6 Months wine cellar storage from date of purchase. Please choose this option at checkout and we will coordinate shipping for a later date.

SHIPPING: During warm summer weather, we recommend to only ship within the United States with Same Day or Next Day Air service to protect the wines from environmental damage. If you would like to waive this protection by shipping Ground, we will request a waiver be signed.

PACKAGING: Our premium wines need optimal temperature consistency, therefore are packaged in EPS foam shippers with gel pack (when needed) and shipped only during ideal weather temperatures.

For OWC (Original Wooden Case) orders, wine bottles will be removed from case and shipped inside a foam shipper box for safety (unless otherwise requested). The wooden case will be shipped separately at Ground service. If faster service is necessary please contact us.

WEATHER HOLD: In adverse temperature conditions, we reserve the right to withhold shipment until ideal temperatures return unless we receive explicit instructions via email to release the wines, voiding any guarantee. We will contact you if a hold is necessary.

FULFILLMENT: Shipments are via UPS.

  • Orders received Monday - Thursday before 2:00 p.m. will typically ship the same day.
  • Orders received Thursday 2:00 p.m. ~ Sunday will ship on Monday.

DELIVERY:

  • Same Day service within Los Angeles Metro area may be available if order is placed before noon, but not guaranteed. Please contact us directly at (626)714-7006 to facilitate expedited service.
  • During extreme temperatures, all shipments are recommended for Next Day Air.

Adult Signature: By law, all shipments of alcohol must be received and authorized by an adult. Our delivery carriers will not release packages without an adult signature and additional charges may be incurred if the package requires withholding or redirection.

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We ship within the United States to: Alabama (AL), Alaska (AK), Arizona (AZ), Arkansas (AR), California (CA), Colorado (CO), Connecticut (CT), Delaware (DE), Florida (FL), Georgia (GA), Hawaii (HI), Idaho (ID), Illinois (IL), Indiana (IN), Iowa (IA), Kansas (KS), Kentucky (KY), Louisiana (LA), Maine (ME), Maryland (MD), Massachusetts (MA), Michigan (MI), Minnesota (MN), Mississippi (MS), Missouri (MO), Montana (MT), Nebraska (NE), Nevada (NV), New Hampshire (NH), New Jersey (NJ), New Mexico (NM), New York (NY), North Carolina (NC), Ohio (OH), Oklahoma (OK), Oregon (OR), Pennsylvania (PA), Rhode Island (RI), South Carolina (SC), South Dakota (SD), Tennessee (TN), Texas (TX), Vermont (VT), Virginia (VA), Washington (WA), West Virginia (WV), Wisconsin (WI), and Wyoming (WY).

  • CRITICAL REVIEWS
  • WINEMAKER NOTES
JD 98

Jeb Dunnuck

If I had to pick a wine of the vintage at this point, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Old Sparky Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard would certainly be one of the top choices. Always a barrel selection (mostly clone 6 and clone 4), it offers extraordinary notes of exotic blue fruits, white flowers, graphite, wet stone-like minerality, and loads of violets. Possessing full-bodied richness and depth, it hits the palate with loads of fruit and texture as well as seamless tannins and integrated acidity. As with the other top wines here, it has that magical mix of richness and elegance that’s the hallmark of all great wines. Aged 20 months in 100% new oak, it’s worth hiding bottles for 4-5 years and it’s going to evolve for 20-25 years or more. Hats off to winemaker Thomas Brown for the talent to produce a wine of this quality in such a challenging vintage. Reviewed by Jeb Dunnuck, Issue date: January, 2020. Drinking window: 2024 - 2049.
RP 96

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

This “Old Sparky” label comes from Beckstoffer’s To Kalon vineyard in Oakville, produced from clone 4 grown on the C1 block (12.5%), clone 4 from the C2 block (12.5%) and clone 6 (50%) and clone 337 (25%) from the B2 block. The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Old Sparky Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and was aged in 100% new Darnajou oak for 20 months. Very deep purple-black colored, the 2017 is redolent of raisin cake, hoisin, preserved plums and crème de cassis with a very provocative perfume of lilacs, cinnamon toast and camphor plus a touch of tilled soil. Full-bodied, the palate is pure seduction, with firm yet velvety tannins and the invigorating freshness lifting the background of all that rich, spicy black fruit, finishing very long. 431 cases were made. Reviewed by Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Issue date: December, 2019. Drinking window: 2021 - 2045.

2017 Schrader Cellars 'Old Sparky' Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, USA

VINTAGE: 2017


ALCOHOL: 14.5%


VINEYARD: Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard


APPELLATION: Oakville, Napa Valley


VARIETAL: Cabernet Sauvignon


CLONE: Clones 4, 6, and 337


COOPERAGE: Aged 20 months in rare Darnajou French oak barrels


WINEMAKER: Thomas Rivers Brown


Tasting Notes
Comprised of the finest barrels from our cellar, the Schrader Old Sparky beautifully reveals ripe black fruits, especially blackberry and blueberry, mixed with notes of roasted espresso and dark chocolate. On the palate, the well-woven tannins provide great balance to the exceptional fruit core. Flavors of currants and tobacco lead into the fragrant finish on this opulent and intense wine. The 2017 Schrader Old Sparky is a dazzling wine and will continue to evolve and gain even more complexity after several years in the cellar.


Vineyard
First planted in 1868 by viticultural and winemaking icon Hamilton Crabb, To Kalon Vineyard® has long been regarded as the source of Napa Valley’s finest Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Within the prime vineyard blocks, an alluvial fan provides excellent and varied mineral deposits, and the rich soils are filled with marine sediment that gives our wines their distinctive profiles. The vines receive full sun and optimal heat during the day and are cooled by marine fog at night. These conditions allow the Cabernet Sauvignon planted in the vineyard to display its own unique character, and this celebration of individuality is the essence of Schrader ®.

Vintage
Spring of 2017 was one of the largest winter rainfall totals we have experienced in recent years. Fortunately, once flowering started, the rains held off and allowed for optimal fruit set and prepared the clusters for even fruit ripening. Veraison finished at the end of August and the vines were positioned for success. Due to a combination of natural phenomena, the yields in 2017 are slightly lower and nearly matched to those that we produced in 2016 and 2015. This lower than average yield allowed for greater concentration on the vine providing the wines with more depth of character and rich complexity.

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