- CRITICAL REVIEWS
- WINEMAKER NOTES
Robert Parker Wine Advocate
Rated (95-97) "All of the 2015s will be reviewed from bottle next year, but basically the yields were not off as much at Schrader as some other estates, the alcohol levels were relatively modest ranging between 14.3% and 14.5%. Characteristic of this vintage, there is magnificent fat, sucrosity and thickness on display in all of these wines. They are inky black/purple and seemingly low in acidity, but according to Thomas Rivers Brown the acids were quite sound and healthy. The tannins are present, but so well-disguised by the high levels of glycerin and sucrosity that they are not that noticeable. Several of these wines, including the Schrader, CCS, T6 and LPV have the potential for perfect scores. These will be thrilling to taste next year and will continue the incredible legacy that Schrader Cellars has developed over the years.
As I have written in the past, the Schrader project with Thomas Rivers Brown as their winemaker started as a look at one of Napa Valley’s historic and first-growth vineyard sites – the Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard in Oakville. It has expanded now to include Beckstoffer’s Las Piedras Vineyard in St. Helena and the Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard in Rutherford. It is basically a study of clonal selections by keeping these wines separate and apart, but enjoying the identical winemaking, upbringing in the cellars and bottling. The bottom line is that these are just hands-down fabulous Cabernet Sauvignons and have been since the project debuted more than ten years ago. The difference between each of them is generally minor and I will probably end up giving sightly different reviews when the wines are in bottle – because they are all at the top of the pyramid of quality. Any one of them is essentially a world-class Cabernet Sauvignon that could compete with the finest made anywhere in the world. So, I will try and articulate the differences of the bottled 2014s and then summarize the 2015s." Reviewed by Robert M. Parker, Jr. Issue date: October 28, 2016.
2015 Schrader Cellars GIII Beckstoffer George III Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, USA
VINTAGE
The 2015 vintage was radiant with abundant sunshine and consistent weather that yielded an excellent, albeit small, crop of optimally ripe grapes from all of our vineyard sources . Now resting in barrel, the young wines are showing their brilliance with boundless fruit character that harkens back to the acclaimed 2012 vintage . While it is the fruit profile that reflects these wines, it is the underlying firm structure of the 2015 Cabernets that distinguishes them from their siblings. As Thomas remarked , "fruit sweetness will allow these wines to drink really well while young, yet it's their looming structure that will allow for long aging."
PROFILE
Opaque and concentrated, our 2015 Schrader GIii Cabernet provides a compelling melange of ultra-ripe red and black fruit aromas accented with notes of sweet anise, savory spice, and crushed rock earthiness that repeat on the palate. The wine is ample and approachable with lavish texture and well-toned tannins that seamlessly carry through the expansive, full finish.
RUTHERFORD: Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard
Located in the legendary Rutherford Bench on the eastern side of the Napa Valley, the Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard boasts a remarkable history that dates back to its founding by winemaking pioneer and namesake Georges de Latour in 1928.
The grapes for our Schrader GIII Cabernet are grown in a small, specific section of this vineyard, formerly a natural riverbed, and it is here that the wine finds its compelling character and structure. The unique gravel and rock soil composition combined with the gentle sloping contour of this block ideally stresses the vines and produces stunning fruit with phenomenal concentration. We truly feel that we have found the magical 'sweet spot' of this historic vineyard estate.