2019 Schrader Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Horizontal (OWC)

“From a historic vineyard planted on an old creek bed – 'killer dirt', says winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown. Heady aromas of black fruit, crushed wild herbs, graphite and dried lavender. Classic Rutherford dusty mineral notes lead an opulent palate, saturated with dense black fruits, coffee bean notes, tangy blood orange freshness, hints of chocolate and fine-grained tannins. Tremendously pleasing. (JC)” (06/2022)

“Lots of classic darker, herbal notes define the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard, a rich, medium to full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon from winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown. With air, more chocolate, espresso, and spice notes emerge from the glass, and this medium to full-bodied, textured, ripe, yet also elegant 2019 is going to drink brilliantly for another 20 years or so.” (12/2021)

“Schrader’s GIII is produced from 337 clone grown on the F block. Very deep purple-black colored, the barrel sample of the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon GIII Beckstoffer Georges III reveals expressive notes of red roses, fallen leaves, dusty soil and cinnamon stick over a core of warm cassis, kirsch and baked plums, with a subtle waft of eucalyptus. Full-bodied, voluptuously fruited and oh-so-velvety, it has just enough freshness and a long spicy finish. (LPB)” (03/2021)

“Classy nose, with lots of sandalwood and cedar on top of a racy profile of black and blue fruit. Some baked-fruit notes, too. This is really precise and fresh on the palate, with tannins that really melt into the fruit. As light as feather. Just bordering medium to full body. There is excellent fluidity on the palate. Drinkable now, but will hold.” (09/2022)

“All Clone 337 from F Block, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard GIII delivers masses of black raspberries and cassis, accented by dark chocolate, tobacco and cedar. This full-bodied wine is high-octane stuff, but carries it well, framed by supple tannins and finishing rich, velvety and long. (JC)” (09/2022)

“A rock-solid Cabernet, with cassis and dark plum stitched together with dusty earth and iron notes, all set into an alder and savory frame. Grippy back end, but the fruit keeps pace and there's a buried violet note for purity. (JM)” (10/2022)

“Almost pure perfection in a glass, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard comes from a more rocky vineyard located on the west side of St. Helena. Black fruits, savory herbs, flowers, and crushed rock notes give way to a full-bodied, flawlessly balanced, seamless 2019. It has the ripe yet elegant style of the vintage (as well as the vineyard), ultra-fine tannins, no hard edges, and a gorgeous finish.” (12/2021)

“From the vineyard's rocky C Block, planted to Clone 337, Schrader's 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard LPV boasts soaring perfumes of roses and violets alongside red and yellow cherries. The 100% new Darnajou and Taransaud oak has been completely absorbed into the wine. Full-bodied but firm, silky yet structured, this wine reveals incredible poise and balance, showing admirable power yet lingering elegantly on the long finish. (JC)” (09/2022)

“Lots of ripe fruit and flowers on the nose, together with iron and lead pencil. Full-bodied. Layered tannins with lots of crushed stone and ripe, flavorful fruit at the end.” (09/2022)

“Delivers warm steeped black currant and blackberry compote flavors that are broad and deep as they roll through, laced with licorice root, singed alder and warm paving stone notes. A subtle cast iron accent peeks in at the very end, adding a lingering echo of terroir without obstructing the fruit. Gorgeous. (JM).” (10/2022)

“From the C1 Block of Beckstoffer To Kalon, winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown has worked with these Clone 4 Cabernet vines since 2005. This is a block bottling like many of the Schrader wines. Lush, generous fruit but with structure – all the elements amplified but on equal proportions. Explosive nose of rich black fruits, black olive, dried wild herbs and baking spices. Incredibly textural with pixelated three-dimensional tannins finishing with pops of dried tobacco and purple-red florals. A joy to drink but among the most collectable and cellar worthy wines of the vintage. The 'CCS' on the label refers to the initials of proprietor Carol Colesworthy Schrader. (JC)” (06/2022)

“The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard CCS from the To Kalon Vineyard in Oakville is another heavenly wine in the lineup. I always find another level of purity in this cuvée, and the 2019 offers remarkably pure crème de cassis-like fruits as well as notes of white flowers, incense, toasted spice, and unsmoked tobacco. Full-bodied, deep, round, and plush on the palate, I love its tannins, it brings incredible richness while staying perfectly balanced and fresh, and it’s just already a joy to drink.” (12/2021)

“Aromas of mint, eucalyptus, crushed blackcurrants and lead pencil follow through to a full body with dark fruit and mint on the palate. Velvety tannins and a long finish. Fantastic structure. Savory. Minerally. Drinkable now, but this will age really beautifully.” (09/2022)

“Sourced from Block C1 (planted to Clone 4), the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon CCS Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard, like all the other Schrader wines, matured in 100% new French oak from Darnajou and Taransaud. Hugely concentrated black cherries are joined by dried spices, slightly peppery notes and cedar on the nose, while the palate is full-bodied and plush yet firm at its core. It's a well-rounded, elegant example of Oakville Cabernet, nicely balanced, with attractive notions of blueberry and mint on the lengthy finish. (JC)” (09/2022)

“Throws off a range of sassafras, chaparral and anise aromas before yielding up a prodigious core of açaí berry, plum and blackberry compote. Offers a nice interplay of power and purity, with tarry violet and loamy incense accents. While tannic through the finish, this terrific version reveals a subtle ripple of acidity and a hint of iron. *Collectible* (JM)” (10/2022)

“Another historic site and another opulent wine from Thomas Rivers Brown. Cabernet clone 337 delivers a fresh, high-toned, juicy red teeming with black fruit, black pepper and toasty cedar. Lush dark fruit is round and rich on the palate, framed by ultra-fine, satiny tannins and tangy blood orange acidity. (JC)” (06/2022)

“Lots of violets, flowery incense, cassis, and spice notes emerge from the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard RBS, a full-bodied, silky, elegant 2019 that shines just as much for its purity and balance as its richness and depth. Possessing good acidity, a lively, vibrant mouthfeel, supple tannins, and a great finish, it has plenty of up-front appeal yet should easily evolve for a solid 20 years if properly stored.” (12/2021)

“Racy, dark nose with pulpy character. Dried lychee, lavender and sandalwood. This is quite juicy, ample and almost a bit ethereal, despite the color and high alcohol. There is a fine twist of salinity on the palate that runs smoothly with lots of purple flowers. Really immaculate. Almost soft texture. Drink or hold.” (09/2022)

“The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon RBS Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard is Clone 337, matured 18 months in 100% new Darnajou and Taransaud barrels. Marked on the nose by red berries, cherries and cedar, plus delicate cinnamon and clove shadings, this is a plush, concentrated full-bodied wine with a core of firmness to it and a long, lingering finish, both positive signs for aging. It's one of the more approachable Schrader wines this vintage, but it should easily go another two decades. (JC) 97+” (09/2022)

“Gushes with pure violet, plum and cassis notes, all flecked with hints of black tea, anise and sassafras. Driven, with a graphite underpinning providing a spine that stays in the background as the fruit stretches out. Approachable already but no rush at all. Drink now through 2038. (JM)” (10/2022)

“This is so exotic and exciting, with crushed blackcurrant, cassis, raspberry and tangerine aromas that follow through to very rough, silky tannins that fill your mouth. It goes on for minutes. Intense flavors at the finish, yet it’s linear and so long and seamless. Crunchy. Amazing wine.” (09/2022)

“My notes on the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon To Kalon Vineyard Heritage Clone started with a big "Wow," and it's clearly a structured, serious, incredibly impressive 2019. Giving up plenty of cassis and assorted black and blue fruits, it has a distinct sense of minerality as well as classic Cabernet tobacco, lead pencil, and tobacco leaf nuances. With bright acidity, building tannins, and a concentrated, massive, backward mouthfeel, it needs to be forgotten for 4-5 years and should have decades of prime drinking. (JD) 98+” (12/2021)

“Another relatively new addition to the Schrader lineup, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Mondavi Heritage Clone To Kalon Vineyard is all Clone 31 (not Clone 39, as previously reported by RPWA). It's expressive and aromatic on the nose, offering up hints of tobacco, mint and sage, plus floral, spicy notes but also plenty of red berries and vanilla (it's aged 18 months in new French oak). Full-bodied, tannic and firmly built, it's another Schrader wine that should really benefit from cellaring. (JC) 98+” (09/2022)

“Delivers seriously gorgeous fruit, with plum puree, cassis and black cherry pâte de fruit notes that are compressed together without losing their clarity and definition, while licorice snap, violet and apple wood notes form the frame. Reveals an iron note that drives underneath on the finish, imbuing everything with latent energy and drive. Big, but in an elephant-balancing-on-a-ball manner; gotta tip the cap. (JM)” (10/2022)