Products
T6 Accolades
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2019 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard T6 — 97+ WA, 97 WS, 97 JS, 97-99 JD
97+ Pts “The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon T6 Beckstoffer To Ka Ion Vineyard is made from Clone 6, an old California heritage clone that's notoriously shy-bearing. It boasts lovely aromatics, layering dried spices and exotic florals over super-ripe cherries, while the full-bodied palate is all silk and cashmere, finishing incredibly long and elegant.”
97 Pts “This pulls in the full Oakville spectrum nicely, with a polished, loamy structure carrying a large-scaled core of steeped plum, boysenberry compote and cassis flavors, while a backdrop of violet, sweet bay leaf and sassafras add range and contrast. The finish has power but maintains purity, with the fruit ringing out the longest in the end. Best from 2024 through 2040.”
97 Pts Dark hawthorn wood, charcoal, blackberry concentrate, violet extract and incense on the nose. The tannins are really immaculate and soft, but there is quantity and volume, too. Sweet dark berries with a salted-chocolate finish. Very long, fresh and linear, despite the high alcohol. Drink or hold.
97-99 Pts “A big, muscular, powerful wine, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard T6 boasts a monster note of blackcurrants, fresh plums, scorched earth, tobacco, and chocolate. This all carries to a full-bodied 2019 with the ripe, savory, concentrated style of the vintage, building tannins, no shortage of fruit, and a great, great finish. It's certainly one of the biggest, richest, more structured wines in the lineup, yet the balance is spot on and everything is in the right places. It's going to take at least 7-8 years for this puppy to shed some of its considerable baby fat and hit maturity, but I wouldn't be surprised to see it evolve for 20 or 30 years.”
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2018 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard T6 — 97 JD, 97 WA, 97 JS, 95 WS
97 Pts. “Rocking levels of blueberries, creme de cassis, exotic spices, tobacco, cigar wrapper, and candied violets emerge from the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard T6, which is full-bodied, has a ripe, concentrated mouthfeel, and lots of building tannins. There’s no shortage of structure here, yet the tannins are sweet and polished, it has nicely integrated acidity and just beautiful overall balance, although it remains relatively tight and doesn’t have the same opulent, expansive mouthfeel found in the CCS, RBS, and Schrader releases. Regardless, it’s an incredibly impressive bottle of wine. Give bottles 4-5 years, and it’s going to cruise for 20 years or more.”
97 Pts. “Schrader’s T6 comes from Beckstoffer’s To Kalon vineyard in Oakville, produced from clone 6 grown on the D2 block. It is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, aged in 100% new Darnajou and Taransaud French oak barrels for 18 months. Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon T6 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard opens with classic cassis, cedar and pencil lead scents, plus nuances of red roses, charcoal and garrigue. Full-bodied, it has a firm and grainy texture with lovely freshness supporting the tons of juicy black fruits, finishing long and earthy. 517 cases were made.”
97 Pts. “Aromas of dark berries, cherry pie, conifer, stone and blueberries follow through to a full body with a dense palate of layers of ripe fruit and creamy tannins. It’s very long and complex at the end with a hot-stone and mineral attribute to the ripe fruit. Drink after 2024.”
95 Pts. “Vivid, with a coiled energy despite its heft, as cassis, boysenberry and blackberry puree flavors are laced with violet, anise and sassafras hints. There’s an underlay of warm earth throughout, but the fruit is the main event, driving through the juicy finish with latent depth for the cellar. Best from 2022 through 2038.”
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2017 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard T6 — 98 JD, 96 WS, 95 WA, 95 JS
98 Pts. “In the top handful of wines in the vintage, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard T6 is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon (which was harvested the morning of the fires) that spent 20 months in 92% new French oak. This is a powerhouse of a wine that’s loaded with fruit and richness, yet it still just glides across the palate with no sensation of weight or heaviness. Dense purple-hued, with lots of chocolaty black and blue fruits, incense, and spice as well as unsmoked tobacco, give bottles 3-4 years of bottle age and enjoy over the following two decades.”
96 Pts. “Ripe and succulent, featuring silky-edged plum, açaí and raspberry puree flavors, lined with licorice and fruitcake notes. Offers a gorgeously plush feel through the finish, with the fruit soaking up the toast. A late tug of graphite completes the picture. Drink now through 2039. 378 cases made.”
95 Pts. “Very deep purple-black colored, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon T6 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard sashays out of the glass with opulent notes of fruitcake, Chinese five spice and oolong tea over a core of blackcurrant cordial, chocolate box and Morello cherries. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has well played, grainy tannins and lovely freshness, giving a boost to all of the decadently spicy blackberry preserves flavors, finishing on a stewed tea note.”
95 Pts. “Classic To Kalon aromas of plums, berries and terracotta, turning to dust and hot stone. A full-bodied red, yet tight and focused with medium-chewy tannins and a flavorful finish. Give it two or three years to come together more. Try after 2022.”
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2016 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard T6 — 98+ JD, 98 WA, 95 WS
98+ Pts. “The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon T6 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard is more structured and savory, with an incredibly bloody, iron-like character that gives way to awesome notes of incense, spice, tobacco leaf, and black cherry and cassis fruits. Aged 20 months in 95% new oak, this dense, meaty, blockbuster effort needs to be forgotten for at least 5-6 years, at which point it should cruise for 25-30 years. It’s a killer bottle of wine.”
98 Pts. “Very deep purple-black colored, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard T6 has a gregarious nose of Chinese five spice, cardamom, menthol and cigar box over a core of crème de cassis, Black Forest cake and blueberry compote with a waft of potpourri. Full-bodied, rich, spicy and oh-so-decadent in the mouth, it has a firm yet plush frame and an epically long, spicy finish.”
95 Pts. “On the ripe and showy side, with peacocking flavors of creamed plum, cassis and cherry preserves, while the back end draws in a healthy shot of toasted vanilla and dark licorice. The graphite-edged finish pulls all the elements together, adding cut and detail to the fruit. Best from 2021 through 2035. 234 cases made.”
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2015 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard T6 — 100 WA, 99 JD, 93 WS
100 Pts. “Coming from the Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard, block D2 planted to clone 6, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon T6 sports a deep garnet-purple color and fantastically fragrant nose of Sichuan pepper, unsmoked cigars, potpourri, red loam and forest floor over a core of black forest cake, blackberry preserves and baked plums plus touches of dried Mediterranean herbs and smoked meats. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is full-on seductive, with wonderfully perfumed layers emerging through the frame of very finely knit yet firm tannins, finishing with epic length and depth.”
99 Pts. “Flirting with perfection, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard T6 comes all from clone 6 (there are less than 4 acres of clone 6 planted) and is always the last cuvee to be harvested. The 2015 has sensational purity as well as full-bodied, decadent notes of crème de cassis and black berry fruit, loads of mocha, scorched earth, spice and salty nuances, sweet, sweet tannin, not a hard edge to be found, and a blockbuster finish. Like all of Brown’s 2015s, it’s packed with fruit, yet its purity and balance are off the charts.”
93 Pts. “Plush, rich fruit rises to the top of this opulent offering, with layers of blackberry, dusty, loamy earth and spicy, cedary oak flavors, backed by a firm mix of tannins and spice. Best from 2021 through 2032.”
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2014 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard T6 — 98 WA, 95 JS, 94 WS
98 Pts. “The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon T6 was one of my super-favorites of the 2014s. Slightly higher in alcohol at 14.7%, compared to the RBS at 14.4% and the GIII at 14.3%, it is a kick-ass Cabernet Sauvignon, with a sexy display of black fruits, licorice, camphor, graphite and background oak. This is from clone 6 of the To Kalon Vineyard aged in 95% new Darnajou and 5% Taransaud barrels. So, as readers can see, the differences are minor, indeed. However, they are slightly different wines. This is a bold, opulent wine and one of my favorites of the 2014s. Drink it over the next 20 years.”
95 Pts. “Aromas of blackberries, minerals, licorice and dried violets follow through to a full body, big and juicy tannins and loads of fruit. Dense and powerful. Lightly austere finish. Shows power and muscle. Try in 2022.”
94 Pts. “A little ragged and rustic around the edges, with a solid core of rich, dense, extracted dark berry fruit, shaded by black licorice and toasty oak notes. Though the tannins are a challenge now, this wine should round out nicely. Best from 2019 through 2033.”
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2013 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard T6 — 98 WA, 96 JS, 94 WS
98 Pts. “The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon T6, which is clone 6, offers more barbecue smoke, roasted meats and oodles of creme de cassis and blackberry. It is rich, full-bodied, intense, and stunningly pure and well-balanced. This is another tour de force from the Schraders and Thomas Rivers Brown. It should drink well for 25-30 years as well.”
96 Pts. “Very exotic aromas of tobacco leaf, Thai green chili, black currant and blueberry. Full body, chewy and powerful tannins. Fresh and clean. Muscular and powerful. Better in 2020 when it comes together.”
94 Pts. “A mix of spicy, jazzy mocha, vanilla and espresso notes from oak are evident at the outset, with a core of licorice, dark and red berry, chocolate, savory herb and underbrush flavors. Flexes considerable tannic strength on the finish. Best from 2020 through 2034.”
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2012 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard T6 — 95 WA, 95 WS
95 Pts. “The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard T6, which is from Clone 6 in a different block of Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard, is aged in 86% new Darnajou and 14% new Taransaud. This wine is not terribly different, but Clone 6 is believed to be old Bordeaux clones brought over to Napa Valley and propagated. The wine has terrific fruit intensity, blackcurrants, blackberry, licorice, creosote and espresso roast. Deep, full-bodied, powerful and rich, this, again, shows the vintage’s voluptuous texture, full-bodied power and richness.”
95 Pts. “Steadily builds from a tight, rich core of mocha-laced currant and blackberry to a broader, more expansive mix that folds in creamy, toasty, mocha-laced oak, unfolding to reveal tiers of flavor and nuance.”
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2011 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard T6 — 93 WA, 93 WS
93 Pts. “The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard T6 is slightly riper and richer than the RBS with plenty of toasty oak intermixed with lead pencil shavings, cedarwood, baking spices, plums and black currants. Medium to full-bodied, ripe and delicious with 14.6% alcohol (slightly higher than the 2010), it should drink well for 10-12 years.”
93 Pts “ Tight, dense and layered, with red berry, blackberry, anise, floral, cedar and mineral notes that lend this a wide range of lingering flavors. Perhaps the most complex and aromatic of the 2011 Schraders. Drink now through 2023.”
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2010 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard T6 — 96 WS, 93 WA
96 Pts. “ Tightly wound, intense and potent, with explosive dark berry, spice, cedar and mocha flavors. Among the most closed and backward of the 2010 Schraders, this nonetheless delivers Napa Cabernet’s proverbial iron fist in a velvet glove. Best from 2015 through 2030.”
93 Pts. “The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard T6 is a small step down from the George III and RBS, although it is still an outstanding wine. Rich, smoky and pretty, but slightly less impressive without the enormous stuffing, multiple dimensions and richness of its siblings. Nevertheless, this beauty offers lots of spring flower, licorice, black currant, forest floor, cedarwood and unsmoked cigar tobacco-like characteristics. From clone 6, it was aged 20 months in 90% new Darnajou barrels and 10% new Taransaud barrels.”
View Wine - 2005 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard T6 —
CCS Accolades
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2021 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard CCS — 97-99 JD, 97+ WA
97-99 Pts “The last vintage for this legendary cuvée to be made with Beckstoffer fruit (the name will persist), the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard CCS is another incredibly classic, layered, unbelievably pure Cabernet Sauvignon that hits it out of the park. Crème de cassis, spring flowers, crushed stone, and tobacco notes flow to a full-bodied, pure, flawlessly balanced 2021 that has ample tannins but the mid-palate, concentration, and fruit to handle it. I love it.”
97+ Pts “The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon CCS Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard comes from block C1, planted to clone 4. Huge aromas of ripe black cherries are joined by hints of star anise, mocha and rich loam on the nose, while the palate is full-bodied, concentrated and velvety in feel, with a long, richly textured finish.”
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2019 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard CCS — 99 D, 98 WS, 98 WA, 98 JS, 98 JD
99 Pts. “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.”
98 Pts. “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 great power/purity interplay throughout, with tarry violet and loamy incense accents. While tannic through the finish, this also reveals a subtle ripple of acidity and a hint of iron. Terrific. Best from 2024 through 2040.”
98 Pts. “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.”
98 Pts. “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. Try after 2026.”
98 Pts. “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.”
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2018 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard CCS — 100 JD, 97 WA, 97 WS, 96 JS
100 Pts. “Just pure gold, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard CCS is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from one of California’s greatest terroirs that was brought up in 100% new French oak. This dense purple-colored effort has a magical bouquet of pure creme de cassis, smoke tobacco, white flowers, crushed stone, truffle, and hints of chocolate. Possessing full-bodied richness, this beauty builds incrementally on the palate, showing lots of ripe, polished tannins, no hard edges, and a rare mix of power, structure, and elegance that’s something to behold. Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, or red wine for that matter, just doesn’t get any better. Hats off to winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown for yet another majestic, singular wine that’s as good as it gets.”
97 Pts. “Schrader’s CCS comes from Beckstoffer’s To Kalon vineyard in Oakville, produced from clone 4 grown on the C1 block. It is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, aged in 100% new Darnajou and Taransaud French oak barrels for 18 months. Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon CCS Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard rolls effortlessly out of the glass with profound notions of baked plums, boysenberries, blackberry pie and cassis, leading to hints of mocha, tapenade and black truffles. Full-bodied, concentrated and with a rock-solid backbone of grainy tannins, it delivers muscular black fruit and savory flavors, leading to a long, earthy finish. 821 cases were made.”
97 Pts. “Vivid, with lush cassis, plum and boysenberry compote flavors rolling through, carried by substantial structure that pulls in warm earth, sweet tobacco, licorice root and sweet bay leaf notes. A violet echo weaves through on the finish as the fruit and earth notes meld. This is Oakville. Best from 2023 through 2040.”
96 Pts. “Fruity and relatively elegant. Toasted notes, nuts and vanilla, as well as blackberries. The palate is well balanced and velvety with subtle power. Full and flavorful. Finishes a tiny bit short, but should open with time. Drink after 2022.”
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2017 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard CCS — 98 JD, 96 WS, 95 WA, 95 JS
98 Pts. “Another wine in the running for the wine of the vintage is the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard CCS, which, as always, is all Cabernet aged in new Darnajou barrels. This full-bodied, magical 2017 has incredibly polished, silky tannins as well as a mammoth-sized texture and mouthfeel. Loaded with notions of blueberries, white flowers, graphite, candied violets, and incense, it’s one of those wines that carries incredible richness and depth yet never seems heavy or cumbersome. The 2017 doesn’t get much better, and this beauty can be drunk today or cellared for two decade”
96 Pts. “Shows the juicy, forward fruit of the vintage, featuring engaging plum, blackberry and raspberry notes and a zip of roasted apple wood on the finish. Reveals solid underlying grip, with a bold graphite accent emerging steadily as this airs in the glass. Exhibits great latent vibrancy. Best from 2022 through 2040. 1,182 cases made.”
95 Pts. “Very deep purple-black colored, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon CCS Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard is little youthfully mute to begin, slowly unfurling to reveal boysenberries, wild blueberries and plum preserves scents with a savory undercurrent of bouquet garni, charcuterie and black olives plus wafts of black truffles and underbrush. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is laden with earth-laced black fruits, finishing with plenty of chew and loads of savory layers.”
95 Pts. “Blueberry, light tar and hot-stone aromas with hints of walnuts and violets. Medium to full body, firm and silky tannins and a chewy, focused finish. Refined and pretty for the vintage. Drink or hold.”
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2016 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard CCS — 100 JD, 98 WA, 94 WS
100 Pts. “The most structured and backward in the lineup, yet with incredible potential, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon CCS Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard is a monumental bottle of wine that ticked all my boxes. Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged 20 months in 100% new Darnajou barrels, it reveals a deep purple color as well as a myriad of blueberry and cassis fruits, candied violets, spice box, and licorice, with just a hint of background oak and a lead pencil note. With a full-bodied, layered, thrilling texture, masses of ripe tannins, and a more focused and elegant style than usual for this cuvée, forget bottles for 4-5 years, count yourself lucky, and enjoy over the following 25+ years.”
98 Pts. “Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon CCS has exuberant notes of plum preserves, baked blackberries and warm cassis with notions of cedar, pencil lead, Indian spices and Sichuan pepper plus a touch of rose hip tea. Very firm and structured in the full-bodied mouth, the palate is laden with tightly wound black and blue fruit layers, lifted by an exciting line of freshness and finishing on a lingering perfumed note.”
94 Pts. “Features a deep well of dark currant, fig and blackberry paste flavors, shrouded for now in ganache and roasted vanilla notes. Shows tarry grip on the back end, with good latent energy and a finishing kick of fruit. Wait this out with some cellaring. Best from 2021 through 2034. 561 cases made.”
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2015 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard CCS — 100 JD, 99 WA, 98 JS, 94 WS
100 Pts. “The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard CCS is the gem in the lineup and is a perfect wine in every sense. Possessing a deep purple color, awesome minerality in its graphite, blueberry, cassis, and spice-driven aromatics, full-bodied richness and a weightless, elegant yet powerful style that needs to be tasted to be believed, this heavenly 2015 glides over the palate and is as seamless and pure as they come. Ideally it will be given a few years of bottle and it’s capable of developing for 20+ years.”
99 Pts. “Coming from the Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard, block C1 planted to clone 4, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon CCS has a very pretty nose of ripe plums, black cherries and mulberries with an undercurrent of violets, licorice, marmite toast and cigar box plus a touch of aged beef. Medium to full-bodied, the palate struts great finesse, with very fine, silt-like tannins supporting the nuanced black fruit layers, finishing very long and with great purity.”
98 Pts. “Wonderful blue fruits and stones with ink and blood undertones. Full-bodied, tight and very focused with super refined tannins. A long, flavorful finish. Great wine. Drink in 2021 but already gorgeous.”
94 Pts. “Marked by firm, ripe, dusty, loamy tannins that give this textural distinction, this will benefit from short-term cellaring. Tiers of spicy berry, loamy earth and smoky oak fold in nicely, adding to the experience. Best from 2021 through 2034.”
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2014 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard CCS — 98 WA, 96 JS, 95 WS
98 Pts. “Another one of my favorites is the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon CCS, which is clone 4 from the To Kalon Vineyard in Oakville. This is aged in 100% new Darnajou and is one of the larger cuvées at 510 cases. Wonderfully sweet, velvety tannins, a big sweet nose of white flowers, blackberry and cassis along with cedar wood, charcoal and graphite are all present in this full-bodied opulent wine that also retains wonderful elegance. It finished at 14.6% alcohol and will drink beautifully now as well as over the next 15-20 years.”
96 Pts. “Complex aromas of crushed blueberries, flowers and cold crushed stones follow through to a full body, soft and silky tannins and a flavorful finish. Shows a fine line of tannins and acidity though the rich yet fresh fruit. Drink in 2021.”
95 Pts. “Jazzy aromas of melted dark chocolate and toasty oak are alluring, supported by deep, rich, extracted dark berry, herb and savory underbrush notes, making for a mouthcoating texture and a long, persistent finish that keeps the flavors lively. Drink now through 2033.”
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2013 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard CCS — 100 WA, 99 JS, 94 WS
100 Pts. “There is something ethereal about the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon CCS, a wine that I tend to give more perfect scores to than of the other Schrader offerings. This is clone 4 from a special block of the Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard in Oakville, and it always seems to have these incredible, explosive aromatics ranging from blueberry to blackberry to cassis to spring flowers and lead pencil shavings. It's always one of the more seductive wines early on, with sweet, velvety tannins, a plush, succulent mouthfeel, full-bodied splendor and majestic texture. This is a killer effort of great intensity and presence. Drink it over then next 25-30 years.”
99 Pts. “So aromatic and floral with violet, lilac, and sage character. Full body, very cool. Lots of blue fruit. Hints of sweet tobacco, lemon grass and white pepper. Needs two or three years to open. Muscular. Better in 2023.”
94 Pts. “A robust and rustic youngster, undeniably powerful and deep, yet tightly wound and begging for cellaring and decanting. The dark red and black fruit is zesty, with minerally acidity, fine-grained tannins and a sense of refinement and elegance. Drink now through 2023.”
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2012 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard CCS — 100 WA, 94 WS
100 Pts. “The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer to Kalon Vineyard CCS is Clone 4 from another block, and always seems to hit all the sweet spots on my palate. It’s aged 20 months in 100% new Darnajou barrels. The good news is there are 520 cases of it. Just a prodigious wine, this spectacular Cabernet Sauvignon is inky bluish/purple with a gorgeous nose of spring flowers, blueberry, blackberry and cassis fruit, a touch of background toast and graphite. It has a very full-bodied, multidimensional mouthfeel and a skyscraper-like finish. It is fabulously open, sexy and a total thrill to smell and taste. This should continue to drink well for two decades.”
94 Pts. “While big and chewy, this offers an intriguing mix of dark berry, plum and black cherry, shaded by black licorice, cedar and berry jam on the finish. The flavors push through gracefully on the finish.”
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2011 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard CCS — 95 WA
95 Pts. “Usually my favorite cuvée, the Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard CCS is a beauty in 2011. Made in a showy, flamboyant style, it boasts a dense ruby/purple color as well as sweet notes of crème de cassis, violets, licorice, forest floor and new oak. This supple, round effort is one of the superstars of this challenging vintage. It should drink well for 10-15 years or longer.”
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2010 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard CCS — 98 WA, 95 WS
98 Pts. “A wine that seems to hit all of the sweet spots on my palate is the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard CCS made from clone 4. It possesses about the same amount of alcohol as the other wines (14.5%), and is aged 20 months in 100% new oak, but it reveals an opulence, voluptuousness and a seamless haute couture fashion. There is something Pomerol-like in the 2010 CCS that I have not noticed in previous vintages. That may be due to the upfront, appealing, stunningly rich, voluptuous style. This is a Cabernet Sauvignon of great nobility and character that, despite its precociousness, should age for 25+ years.”
95 Pts. “Red and black, black and red, a wonderful mix of flavors cloaked in a shawl of chewy, loamy earth and spicy tannins. Backward, this begs for cellaring and is sure to offer a pleasant surprise sometime soon.”
View Wine - 2006 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard CCS —
Beckstoffer To Kalon Accolades
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2021 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard — 96-98 JD
96-98 Pts “The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Schrader (aka Schrader Schrader) is another full-bodied, opulent, incredibly sexy wine in the lineup. Blue fruits, cassis, flowery incense, and spice define the aromatics, and it hits the palate with a lush, hedonistic mouthfeel, velvety tannins, and a great finish.”
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2019 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard — 99 JS, 98 D, 98 JD, 97 WS, 97-99 WA
99 Pts “Lots of blackberry, white pepper and other spices. Ink, too. Medium to full body with firm, silky tannins that run the length of the wine. Very al-dente fruit character. Flavorful and vivid. Extremely long. So drinkable. Gorgeous. Crazy. Drink or hold.”
98 Pts “Explosive dark black fruit aromas mingle with black olive, ground coffee and walnut husks. A mix of Darnajou and Taransaud barrels deliver toasty cedar and espresso accents, while fine-grained, firm tannins support lacy dark fruit and tangy blood orange acidity on a long, satisfying finish.”
98 Pts “Another spicy, complex, gorgeous wine in every sense, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Schrader reminds me of the CCS with its pure, seamless, perfectly balanced style. Lots of cassis fruits, notes of flowery incense, baking spices, leather, and unsmoked tobacco, silky tannins, remarkable purity, and a great finish all define this beauty, and it's certainly up with the crème de la crème of this great vintage.”
97 Pts “This has all the dense cassis, butter plum and blackberry fruit you'd expect from an Oakville Cabernet, but these elements are married to a more overt energy than most of its peers, as bramble, anise and licorice root provide a bristling accent. Offers a great graphite underpinning through the finish, and has fruit to burn. One for the cellar. Best from 2024 through 2040.”
97-99 Pts “The full-bodied palate explodes with massive black fruit and earthy layers, supported by firm, grainy tannins and loads of freshness, finishing on a persistent mineral note.”
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2018 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard — 99 WA, 98+ JD, 98 JS, 97 WS
99 Pts. “This “Schrader” label comes from Beckstoffer’s To Kalon vineyard in Oakville, produced from clone 4 grown on the C2 block. It is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and was aged in 100% new Darnajou and Taransaud French oak barrels for 18 months. Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard has a wonderfully perfumed nose of potpourri, baking spices and dusty soil over a core of crème de cassis, blueberry pie and flamboyant Indian spices. Full-bodied, super firm with super ripe tannins and lovely freshness, it delivers layer upon layer of black fruit preserves and exotic spices, finishing long and beautifully poised. Give it a good 3-5 years in bottle to really strut its stuff and drink it over the next 30+ years. 219 cases were made.”
98+ Pts. “A powerful, backward, and concentrated wine, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Schrader exhibits a dense purple/plum color as well as an extraordinary bouquet of blackcurrants, dark chocolate, graphite, gravelly earth, and tobacco leaf. It takes plenty of air to show at its best, and I suspect 3-4 years of bottle age are warranted, but this full-bodied, multi-dimensional 2018 has flawless balance, building tannins, and is just loaded with potential.”
98 Pts. “An expressive, seductive nose, showing notes of plums, dark fruit, flowers and some vanilla. Full-bodied and well structured with firm tannins. Powerful. A great cabernet sauvignon that will benefit from aging. Better after 2025.”
97 Pts. “A stunner from the start, as gorgeous waves of cassis, warmed plum sauce and blackberry pâte de fruit flavors cruise through with authority, inlaid with a graphite spine and backed with notes of violet, black licorice snap and roasted apple wood. This doesn’t quit either, echoing with fruit and earth through the extremely long finish. Very impressive. Best from 2022 through 2040.”
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2017 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard — 96+ JD, 96 WA, 96 WS, (95-96) JS
96 + “Also known as the Schrader Schrader, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Schrader offers a more black-fruited, chocolate, and mineral-laced profile as well as full-bodied richness, a dense, powerful mid-palate, and building tannins. As I wrote last year, it’s one of the biggest, baddest wines in the lineup. I wouldn’t open bottles for a good 4-5 years, yet it should be long-lived.”
96 Pts. “Very deep purple-black colored, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard sails out of the glass with pretty scents of kirsch, blackcurrant cordial, dark chocolate and candied violets with a core of warm plums and blackberry pie plus a touch of garrigue. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers loads of mineral and earthy sparks among the black fruit layers, supported with firm, grainy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long.”
96 Pts. “Beautifully pure plum and blackberry notes gush forth, with melted licorice and sweet toast elements cascading in on the finish. Shows serious depth for a 2017, getting denser and more focused as this moves through the finish, a great sign for cellaring. Extra violet, graphite and sweet spice accents create a gorgeous backdrop. Tempting now, but best to wait. Best from 2021 through 2040. 310 cases made.”
(95-96 Pts.) “This is showing depth and length for the vintage with full body, bright and vivid impact and a long, intense finish. Super fine and intense tannins at the end. First bottling of this vineyard site from the Robert Mondavi site of To Kolan.”
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2016 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard — 99 JD, 98 WA, 96 WS
99 Pts. “The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Schrader (aka Schrader Schrader) is another just about perfect wine from this unstoppable team at Schrader, which is lead by Thomas Rivers Brown. As with all these releases, it's 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and spent 20 months in 75% new Darnajou barrels and 25% new Taransaud barrels. Deep purple-colored, with a mammoth bouquet of blue fruits, liquid violets, camphor, and incense along with hints of oak and graphite, it's full-bodied, uber-rich and concentrated, yet also elegant and seamless. It's a rock star bottle of wine.”
98 Pts. “The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard is very deep purple-black in color, with opulent scents of exotic spices, sandalwood and cloves over a core of chocolate box, crushed black cherries, mulberries and black pepper with a waft of cedar. The full-bodied palate has a rock-solid line of ripe, grainy tannins, oodles of freshness and layer upon layer of spice and incense-laced black fruits, finishing on a compelling aniseed note.”
96 Pts. “A big, broad-shouldered wine, brimming with cassis, crushed plum and steeped blackberry fruit flavors, all pushed by a dense, loamy spine that courses through the middle. The sides are polished and the fruit powers through, imparting drive and providing contrast to the loamy character. Best from 2021 through 2040. 172 cases made.”
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2015 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard — 100 WA, 98 JD, 95 WS, 95 JS
100 Pts. “Coming from the Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard, from blocks C2, D2 and B2 planted predominately to clone 4, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Schrader is intensely scented of vibrant blackberries, black plums and cassis, with touches of Indian spices, eucalypt, mocha and tilled black soil plus a waft of oolong tea. Medium to full-bodied, the palate comes through with a compelling chocolate-covered cherries character and tons of subtle layers, structured with very firm, very fine-grained tannins and impressive freshness, finishing with epic persistence.”
98 Pts. “Another wine that flirts with perfection is the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Schrader (aka Schrader Schrader). It's one of the more opulent, massive and sweetly fruited beauties in the lineup, yet it has incredible purity and elegance, as well as full-bodied power and richness. Cassis, toasted spices, licorice, and chocolate all emerge from this long, rich, perfectly balanced beauty. There are just over 200 cases produced and it's going to deliver the goods for two decades, although there's no harm in early gratification either.”
95 Pts. “Beautifully crafted, deep, rich and multifaceted, with tiers of dark berry, cherry, plum and wild berry, this is deftly balanced, making it notably easy to approach now, but a great choice for the cellar as well. Best from 2020 through 2033.”
95 Pts. “Hot stones and blueberries. Oyster shell, too. Full-bodied and tight with ultra-long tannins and crispness. Tight and balanced. Beautiful now. Why wait?”
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2014 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard — 99 JS, 95 WA, 93 WS
99 Pts. “Seductive aromas of crushed berries, wet earth, leaves, mushrooms and violets. Wow. Full body, ultra-fine tannins and a super depth of fruit and intensity. Shows power with finesse. This needs three to four years before it will show its true greatness.”
95 Pts. “The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, which is clone 4 from the To Kalon vineyard is aged in 75% new Darnajou and 25% new Taransaud. This is a fruit-forward, opaque purple wine, like its siblings, with notes of creosote, licorice, charcoal, blackcurrants and blackberries. It is full-bodied, but round and succulent. It ended up at 14.5% natural alcohol. Drink it over the next 15-20 years.”
93 Pts. “A bold, rich, assertive style that packs in lots of flavor, from spicy oak to mocha and espresso notes, all of which bolster the core of dark berry, licorice, vanilla bean and spice. Ends with full-blown, integrated tannins. Best from 2020 through 2034.”
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2013 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard — 100 JS, 95 WA, 95 WS
100 Pts. “This is a red with amazing structure and muscle yet it remains fresh and agile. Full body, chewy and polished tannins. Salty with chili and sweet tobacco. So savory. Marvelous, seamless texture. In synch. Why wait?”
95 Pts. “The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon from clone 4, but a different block of the Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard, shows great fruit, but not nearly the complexity of the CCS. It is one of those micro-examples that is a fabulous wine, but somehow never seems to be up to the quality of the CCS, which is made from the same clone in an adjacent block. Nevertheless, this wine is full-bodied, rich and dense, with classic tobacco leaf, graphite, blackcurrant and licorice, and some toasty, smoky oak in the background. Drink it over the next 30 years.”
95 Pts. “Pure, clean crushed berry and floral aromas are the introduction to this vibrant, robust and deeply flavored effort, with cascading blackberry, wild berry, anise, cedar, tobacco leaf and melted licorice notes, ending with a long, sustained aftertaste that keeps echoing the core themes. Best from 2020 through 2035.”
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2012 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard — 98 WA, 95 WS
98 Pts. “Nearly as prodigious is the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer to Kalon Vineyard, which is Clone 4 and Clone 6 blended together from the Beckstoffer to Kalon Vineyard, this is the highest in alcohol of the 2012s at 14.6%. It was aged in a combination of 50% new Darnajou and 50% new Taransaud barrels. This wine is one of the tighter, more backward of the 2012s, with more structure, tannin, muscle, a masculine personality, oodles of black and blue fruits and a massive mouthfeel, but is somehow much more primary and younger tasting than the other wines. Forget it for a few years and drink it over the following 20-25 years.”
95 Pts. “Sleek, refined and elegant, showing rich layers of spicy oak, black- berry and wild berry, with cedar and herb nuances. Ends with a long, full finish that gains depth and detail, firming nicely on the finish.”
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2011 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard — 96 WA
96 Pts. “The impressive 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard is one of the richest of Schrader’s 2011s. Thomas Brown told me that this particular block was picked before the heavy rainfalls arrived and production was a minuscule three-quarters of a ton per acre. Hence, only 52 cases were made. It is a big, rich, atypical wine for a 2011.”
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2010 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard — 96 WS, 94+ WA
96 Pts. “Delivers a rich, potent mix of layered flavors that are deep and pure, brimming with black licorice, dark berry, mocha, tea and floral notes that are tight, focused and persistent, with gutsy tannins.”
94+ Pts. “The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard is the most tannic of these cuvees. It exhibits an opaque purple color along with a big, intense perfume, but the wine is closed, structured, muscular and masculine in the mouth. There are only 52 cases, compared to 370 cases in 2012, so good luck finding any. This offering was made from clone 4, 6 and 337, making it one of the few multiple clone wines in the Schrader portfolio.”
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GIII Accolades
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2021 Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard GIII — 96-98 JD
96-98 Pts “While the 2021s are still pulled primarily from Beckstoffer fruit, Schrader will be moving to all Mondavi farmed fruit starting in 2022. The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard is up with the crème de la crème from this historic site and has that classic, almost Bordeaux-like style in its darker currant fruits, smoked tobacco, lead pencil, and chocolaty oak-driven aromatics. With full-bodied richness, ripe yet building tannins, and a great finish, it's going to warrant 4-5 years (or more) of bottle age and keep for 25+.”
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2019 Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard GIII — 97 JD, 94 WS, 95-97+ WA
97 Pts “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.”
94 Pts “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. Best from 2023 through 2036.”
95-97+ Pts “...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.”
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2018 Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard GIII — 98 JD, 97 JS, 96 WA
98 Pts. “Coming from a larger, famous site in Rutherford, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer GIII Vineyard is another superstar in the lineup. Possessing a dense purple color, it delivers a monster bouquet of ripe blackcurrants, chocolate, tobacco, sweet mulch, and a Graves-like sense of gravelly earth and minerality. While I suspect the acidity is quite low, it stays lively on the palate, possessing full-bodied richness, soft tannins, remarkable purity, and a great finish. This super-rich, opulent, incredibly sexy Cabernet Sauvignon should evolve for 20 years or more.”
97 Pts. “A seductive ripe-fruit and floral nose. Medium-to full-bodied with notes of blackberries, blackcurrants, violets and spice. Light, fresh jam, too. It’s full and compact with a dense, deep palate and beautiful fruit. Firm and bright. Try after 2024.”
96 Pts. “Schrader’s GIII comes from Beckstoffer’s Georges III vineyard in Rutherford, produced from 337 clone grown on the F block. One hundred percent Cabernet Sauvignon, it was aged in 100% new Darnajou and Taransaud French oak barrels for 18 months. Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon GIII Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard springs from the glass with a glorious perfume of violets and lavender, giving way to notes of crushed black currants, black raspberries and red currant jelly, plus an undercurrent of cedar chest and fragrant soil. Full-bodied, firm and grainy, the palate is popping with taut, muscular, vibrant black fruits, supported by wonderfully ripe tannins, finishing long and full of energy. 151 cases were made.”
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2017 Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard GIII — 97 JD, 96+ WA, 96 JS, 93 WS
97 Pts. “Yields at Schrader are down a massive 50%, yet what they put in bottle is certainly brilliant. Starting with their 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard, it’s one of the plusher, more rounded, sexy wines in the lineup and is loaded with cassis and assorted blue fruits as well as notes of white flowers, violets, and tobacco. Full-bodied, concentrated, and opulent on the palate, it’s one big mouthful of pleasure bent fruit that’s hard to match in the vintage. Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that spent 20 months in 90% new oak, it’s going to put a smile on everyone’s face any time over the coming 20 years or so.”
96+ Pts. “Very deep purple-black colored, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon GIII Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard comes roaring out of the glass with vivacious black cherry cordial, crème de cassis and blueberry pie scents with hints of menthol, licorice, mocha and spice cake. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is chock-full of spicy black fruit preserves, framed by plush tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long.”
96 Pts. “Extremely clean, fruity aromas of crushed berries and cardamon. Medium to full body, well-integrated tannins and a soft, silky texture. Long and focused. Drink or hold.”
93 Pts. “An extrovert, with bold cassis, plum sauce and boysenberry compote flavors augmented by violet, mint and warm black licorice notes. Offers a flashy, toasty finish that pulls everything together while avoiding the rustic, brambly nore typical of the vintage. Best from 2021 through 2033. 588 cases made.”
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2016 Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard GIII — 98 JD, 97+ WA, 94 WS
98 Pts. “From a famous valley floor site that's always one of the first to ripen, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon GIII Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard (100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in 90% new French oak) offers incredible purity and finesse as well as a kaleidoscope of crème de cassis, exotic flowers, graphite, and forest floor. It's deep, has building, sweet tannins, no hard edges, and again, this fabulous purity and floral character that develops with time in the glass. It will benefit from short-term cellaring and should evolve for three decades. My money is on it being the finest version of this cuvée ever made.”
97+ Pts. “The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon GIII is deep garnet-purple in color with boisterous black fruits notes of crushed blackberries, warm black plums and blackcurrant cordial with touches of cedar chest, roses, tilled black soil and tar plus a waft of cloves. The palate is big, rich, full and packed with black fruit preserves and exotic spice notions with a velvety frame and a very long finish.”
94 Pts. “Densely packed, with red and black currant, açaí berry and plum paste flavors, lined with singed alder, tobacco, leather and warm earth notes. The finish features a deep well of fruit, as the earthy tug lingers. An assertive expression of Cabernet that remains grounded in terroir. Best from 2021 through 2035. 429 cases made.”
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2015 Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard GIII — 97 WA, 97 JD, 92 WS
97 Pts. “Coming from the Beckstoffer Georges III vineyard, the very deep garnet-purple colored 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon GIII bursts forth with an outrageously spicy nose of Chinese five spice and aniseed with a core of crème de cassis, blueberry pie, menthol and chocolate box plus a waft of bay leaves. Medium to full-bodied, rich, ripe and decadent on the palate, it fills the mouth with exotic spice layers and warm black fruits, framed by velvety tannins and great freshness, finishing with epic persistence.”
97 Pts. “Moving to the 2015s, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard is a thick, unctuous, huge beauty that gives up a deep purple color as well as lots of blueberry, violets, and incense. It’s deep, full-bodied, beautifully concentrated and has silky tannin, which is the hallmark of the 2015s from Schrader. It’s capable of lasting for 20-25 years or more.”
92 Pts. “Plump, rich and juicy, with loads of dark berry flavors centered on black licorice and cigar box notes. Tannins grip the finish, so cellar this. Best from 2021 through 2032.”
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2014 Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard GIII — 97 JS, 95 WA, 92 WS
97 Pts. “Aromas of walnuts and dried fruit as well as violets and forest floor. Full body, velvety tannins and a flavorful finish. This is layered and very rich yet remains vibrant and velvety. A solid and powerful Napa cab. Drink in 2019.”
95 Pts. “The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon GIII is a 213-case cuvée aged in the same manner as the other wines, for 20 months, but in this case in 90% new Darnajou and 10% new Taransaud barrels. Readers will note that the percentage of the coopers varies depending on the vineyard selection. This is an inky blue/purple wine with fabulous crème de cassis notes, spring flowers, a medium to full body, supple tannins and a more fruit-forward, luscious and precocious style than usual. This is probably best consumed in its first 16-20 years of life.”
92 Pts. “Dill, cedary oak and light loamy earth notes are present in the aroma and the mix of gravel, dried dark berry, anise and sage at the core. Shows a musclebound structure on the aftertaste, where this gains depth. Drink now through 2032.”
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2013 Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard GIII — 97 WA, 97 JS, 9S WS
97 Pts. “The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer George III Vineyard, which comes from the Beckstoffer-owned vineyard in Rutherford and clone 337, exhibits an opaque purple color and a beautiful nose of creosote, graphite, charcoal, blackberry and blueberry. It’s dense, full-bodied and opulent, with great acidity and sweet, well-integrated tannins. It is approachable now, but promises to be at its best with another 7-8 years of bottle age and last 25-30 years.”
97 Pts. “This is a chewy and powerful red with lots of tannins. Aromas of dried flowers, grape skin and currants. Full body, chewy texture. Refreshing with coolness. Needs so much time in the bottle. Try in 2022.”
94 Pts. “Immense, featuring a dense, dark, extracted core of graphite, crushed rock, licorice and dark berry flavors, with gritty tannins. Shows no slack, yet this smoothes out on the finish, revealing polish and finesse. Best from 2020 through 2030.”
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2012 Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard GIII — 96 WA, 95 WS
96 Pts. “The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard, from this famous vineyard in Rutherford, is made from Cabernet Sauvignon Clone 337, and 90% new Darnajou and 10% new Taransaud was used. One of the smaller cuveés, the wine has great intensity, with chocolaty cassis notes, fruitcake and forest floor along with licorice and spice. This is a big full-bodied, powerful, rich, yet accessible style of wine, as most 2012s tend to be. Drink it over the next 15-20 years.”
95 Pts. “Bold, rich and focused on a core of blackberry, currant, plum and spicy, cedary oak. Gains a dusty, loamy textural nuance and ends a bit trim, without losing its potent personality.”
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2010 Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard GIII — 96 WA, 95 WS
96 Pts. “The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer George III Vineyard, made from clone 337, had a total production of 110 cases (compared to 260+ for the 2012). Its gorgeous nose reveals aromas of créme de cassis, blueberries, raspberries, vanillin and notions of cedarwood as well as incense. Deep and full-bodied with fabulous purity, a hallmark of all these wines, this spectacular 2010 has plenty of structure, but the fruit intensity and richness largely obscure the wine’s tannic profile. This beauty will be drinkable in several years and keep for 30 years.”
95 Pts. “A powerful yet graceful Cabernet that’s big, rich, chewy and chunky, with tiers of mocha, dark berry, spice and cedar flavors. This packs a wallop and isn’t shy about tannins, so best to be patient.”
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Accolades
- 2022 To Kalon Vineyard —
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2010 Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard GIII 3L — 96 WA, 95 WS
96 Pts. “The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer George III Vineyard, made from clone 337, had a total production of 110 cases (compared to 260+ for the 2012). Its gorgeous nose reveals aromas of créme de cassis, blueberries, raspberries, vanillin and notions of cedarwood as well as incense. Deep and full-bodied with fabulous purity, a hallmark of all these wines, this spectacular 2010 has plenty of structure, but the fruit intensity and richness largely obscure the wine’s tannic profile. This beauty will be drinkable in several years and keep for 30 years.”
95 Pts. “A powerful yet graceful Cabernet that’s big, rich, chewy and chunky, with tiers of mocha, dark berry, spice and cedar flavors. This packs a wallop and isn’t shy about tannins, so best to be patient.”
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Beckstoffer To Kalon Accolades
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2021 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard — 96-98 JD
96-98 Pts “The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Schrader (aka Schrader Schrader) is another full-bodied, opulent, incredibly sexy wine in the lineup. Blue fruits, cassis, flowery incense, and spice define the aromatics, and it hits the palate with a lush, hedonistic mouthfeel, velvety tannins, and a great finish.”
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2019 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard — 99 JS, 98 D, 98 JD, 97 WS, 97-99 WA
99 Pts “Lots of blackberry, white pepper and other spices. Ink, too. Medium to full body with firm, silky tannins that run the length of the wine. Very al-dente fruit character. Flavorful and vivid. Extremely long. So drinkable. Gorgeous. Crazy. Drink or hold.”
98 Pts “Explosive dark black fruit aromas mingle with black olive, ground coffee and walnut husks. A mix of Darnajou and Taransaud barrels deliver toasty cedar and espresso accents, while fine-grained, firm tannins support lacy dark fruit and tangy blood orange acidity on a long, satisfying finish.”
98 Pts “Another spicy, complex, gorgeous wine in every sense, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Schrader reminds me of the CCS with its pure, seamless, perfectly balanced style. Lots of cassis fruits, notes of flowery incense, baking spices, leather, and unsmoked tobacco, silky tannins, remarkable purity, and a great finish all define this beauty, and it's certainly up with the crème de la crème of this great vintage.”
97 Pts “This has all the dense cassis, butter plum and blackberry fruit you'd expect from an Oakville Cabernet, but these elements are married to a more overt energy than most of its peers, as bramble, anise and licorice root provide a bristling accent. Offers a great graphite underpinning through the finish, and has fruit to burn. One for the cellar. Best from 2024 through 2040.”
97-99 Pts “The full-bodied palate explodes with massive black fruit and earthy layers, supported by firm, grainy tannins and loads of freshness, finishing on a persistent mineral note.”
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2018 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard — 99 WA, 98+ JD, 98 JS, 97 WS
99 Pts. “This “Schrader” label comes from Beckstoffer’s To Kalon vineyard in Oakville, produced from clone 4 grown on the C2 block. It is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and was aged in 100% new Darnajou and Taransaud French oak barrels for 18 months. Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard has a wonderfully perfumed nose of potpourri, baking spices and dusty soil over a core of crème de cassis, blueberry pie and flamboyant Indian spices. Full-bodied, super firm with super ripe tannins and lovely freshness, it delivers layer upon layer of black fruit preserves and exotic spices, finishing long and beautifully poised. Give it a good 3-5 years in bottle to really strut its stuff and drink it over the next 30+ years. 219 cases were made.”
98+ Pts. “A powerful, backward, and concentrated wine, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Schrader exhibits a dense purple/plum color as well as an extraordinary bouquet of blackcurrants, dark chocolate, graphite, gravelly earth, and tobacco leaf. It takes plenty of air to show at its best, and I suspect 3-4 years of bottle age are warranted, but this full-bodied, multi-dimensional 2018 has flawless balance, building tannins, and is just loaded with potential.”
98 Pts. “An expressive, seductive nose, showing notes of plums, dark fruit, flowers and some vanilla. Full-bodied and well structured with firm tannins. Powerful. A great cabernet sauvignon that will benefit from aging. Better after 2025.”
97 Pts. “A stunner from the start, as gorgeous waves of cassis, warmed plum sauce and blackberry pâte de fruit flavors cruise through with authority, inlaid with a graphite spine and backed with notes of violet, black licorice snap and roasted apple wood. This doesn’t quit either, echoing with fruit and earth through the extremely long finish. Very impressive. Best from 2022 through 2040.”
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2017 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard — 96+ JD, 96 WA, 96 WS, (95-96) JS
96 + “Also known as the Schrader Schrader, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Schrader offers a more black-fruited, chocolate, and mineral-laced profile as well as full-bodied richness, a dense, powerful mid-palate, and building tannins. As I wrote last year, it’s one of the biggest, baddest wines in the lineup. I wouldn’t open bottles for a good 4-5 years, yet it should be long-lived.”
96 Pts. “Very deep purple-black colored, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard sails out of the glass with pretty scents of kirsch, blackcurrant cordial, dark chocolate and candied violets with a core of warm plums and blackberry pie plus a touch of garrigue. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers loads of mineral and earthy sparks among the black fruit layers, supported with firm, grainy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long.”
96 Pts. “Beautifully pure plum and blackberry notes gush forth, with melted licorice and sweet toast elements cascading in on the finish. Shows serious depth for a 2017, getting denser and more focused as this moves through the finish, a great sign for cellaring. Extra violet, graphite and sweet spice accents create a gorgeous backdrop. Tempting now, but best to wait. Best from 2021 through 2040. 310 cases made.”
(95-96 Pts.) “This is showing depth and length for the vintage with full body, bright and vivid impact and a long, intense finish. Super fine and intense tannins at the end. First bottling of this vineyard site from the Robert Mondavi site of To Kolan.”
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2016 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard — 99 JD, 98 WA, 96 WS
99 Pts. “The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Schrader (aka Schrader Schrader) is another just about perfect wine from this unstoppable team at Schrader, which is lead by Thomas Rivers Brown. As with all these releases, it's 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and spent 20 months in 75% new Darnajou barrels and 25% new Taransaud barrels. Deep purple-colored, with a mammoth bouquet of blue fruits, liquid violets, camphor, and incense along with hints of oak and graphite, it's full-bodied, uber-rich and concentrated, yet also elegant and seamless. It's a rock star bottle of wine.”
98 Pts. “The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard is very deep purple-black in color, with opulent scents of exotic spices, sandalwood and cloves over a core of chocolate box, crushed black cherries, mulberries and black pepper with a waft of cedar. The full-bodied palate has a rock-solid line of ripe, grainy tannins, oodles of freshness and layer upon layer of spice and incense-laced black fruits, finishing on a compelling aniseed note.”
96 Pts. “A big, broad-shouldered wine, brimming with cassis, crushed plum and steeped blackberry fruit flavors, all pushed by a dense, loamy spine that courses through the middle. The sides are polished and the fruit powers through, imparting drive and providing contrast to the loamy character. Best from 2021 through 2040. 172 cases made.”
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2015 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard — 100 WA, 98 JD, 95 WS, 95 JS
100 Pts. “Coming from the Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard, from blocks C2, D2 and B2 planted predominately to clone 4, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Schrader is intensely scented of vibrant blackberries, black plums and cassis, with touches of Indian spices, eucalypt, mocha and tilled black soil plus a waft of oolong tea. Medium to full-bodied, the palate comes through with a compelling chocolate-covered cherries character and tons of subtle layers, structured with very firm, very fine-grained tannins and impressive freshness, finishing with epic persistence.”
98 Pts. “Another wine that flirts with perfection is the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Schrader (aka Schrader Schrader). It's one of the more opulent, massive and sweetly fruited beauties in the lineup, yet it has incredible purity and elegance, as well as full-bodied power and richness. Cassis, toasted spices, licorice, and chocolate all emerge from this long, rich, perfectly balanced beauty. There are just over 200 cases produced and it's going to deliver the goods for two decades, although there's no harm in early gratification either.”
95 Pts. “Beautifully crafted, deep, rich and multifaceted, with tiers of dark berry, cherry, plum and wild berry, this is deftly balanced, making it notably easy to approach now, but a great choice for the cellar as well. Best from 2020 through 2033.”
95 Pts. “Hot stones and blueberries. Oyster shell, too. Full-bodied and tight with ultra-long tannins and crispness. Tight and balanced. Beautiful now. Why wait?”
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2014 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard — 99 JS, 95 WA, 93 WS
99 Pts. “Seductive aromas of crushed berries, wet earth, leaves, mushrooms and violets. Wow. Full body, ultra-fine tannins and a super depth of fruit and intensity. Shows power with finesse. This needs three to four years before it will show its true greatness.”
95 Pts. “The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, which is clone 4 from the To Kalon vineyard is aged in 75% new Darnajou and 25% new Taransaud. This is a fruit-forward, opaque purple wine, like its siblings, with notes of creosote, licorice, charcoal, blackcurrants and blackberries. It is full-bodied, but round and succulent. It ended up at 14.5% natural alcohol. Drink it over the next 15-20 years.”
93 Pts. “A bold, rich, assertive style that packs in lots of flavor, from spicy oak to mocha and espresso notes, all of which bolster the core of dark berry, licorice, vanilla bean and spice. Ends with full-blown, integrated tannins. Best from 2020 through 2034.”
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2013 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard — 100 JS, 95 WA, 95 WS
100 Pts. “This is a red with amazing structure and muscle yet it remains fresh and agile. Full body, chewy and polished tannins. Salty with chili and sweet tobacco. So savory. Marvelous, seamless texture. In synch. Why wait?”
95 Pts. “The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon from clone 4, but a different block of the Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard, shows great fruit, but not nearly the complexity of the CCS. It is one of those micro-examples that is a fabulous wine, but somehow never seems to be up to the quality of the CCS, which is made from the same clone in an adjacent block. Nevertheless, this wine is full-bodied, rich and dense, with classic tobacco leaf, graphite, blackcurrant and licorice, and some toasty, smoky oak in the background. Drink it over the next 30 years.”
95 Pts. “Pure, clean crushed berry and floral aromas are the introduction to this vibrant, robust and deeply flavored effort, with cascading blackberry, wild berry, anise, cedar, tobacco leaf and melted licorice notes, ending with a long, sustained aftertaste that keeps echoing the core themes. Best from 2020 through 2035.”
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2012 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard — 98 WA, 95 WS
98 Pts. “Nearly as prodigious is the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer to Kalon Vineyard, which is Clone 4 and Clone 6 blended together from the Beckstoffer to Kalon Vineyard, this is the highest in alcohol of the 2012s at 14.6%. It was aged in a combination of 50% new Darnajou and 50% new Taransaud barrels. This wine is one of the tighter, more backward of the 2012s, with more structure, tannin, muscle, a masculine personality, oodles of black and blue fruits and a massive mouthfeel, but is somehow much more primary and younger tasting than the other wines. Forget it for a few years and drink it over the following 20-25 years.”
95 Pts. “Sleek, refined and elegant, showing rich layers of spicy oak, black- berry and wild berry, with cedar and herb nuances. Ends with a long, full finish that gains depth and detail, firming nicely on the finish.”
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2011 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard — 96 WA
96 Pts. “The impressive 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard is one of the richest of Schrader’s 2011s. Thomas Brown told me that this particular block was picked before the heavy rainfalls arrived and production was a minuscule three-quarters of a ton per acre. Hence, only 52 cases were made. It is a big, rich, atypical wine for a 2011.”
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2010 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard — 96 WS, 94+ WA
96 Pts. “Delivers a rich, potent mix of layered flavors that are deep and pure, brimming with black licorice, dark berry, mocha, tea and floral notes that are tight, focused and persistent, with gutsy tannins.”
94+ Pts. “The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard is the most tannic of these cuvees. It exhibits an opaque purple color along with a big, intense perfume, but the wine is closed, structured, muscular and masculine in the mouth. There are only 52 cases, compared to 370 cases in 2012, so good luck finding any. This offering was made from clone 4, 6 and 337, making it one of the few multiple clone wines in the Schrader portfolio.”
View Wine - 2008 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard —
Accolades
- 2022 To Kalon Vineyard —
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2010 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard 3L — 96 WS, 94+ WA
96 Pts. “Delivers a rich, potent mix of layered flavors that are deep and pure, brimming with black licorice, dark berry, mocha, tea and floral notes that are tight, focused and persistent, with gutsy tannins.”
94+ Pts. “The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard is the most tannic of these cuvees. It exhibits an opaque purple color along with a big, intense perfume, but the wine is closed, structured, muscular and masculine in the mouth. There are only 52 cases, compared to 370 cases in 2012, so good luck finding any. This offering was made from clone 4, 6 and 337, making it one of the few multiple clone wines in the Schrader portfolio.”
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CCS Accolades
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2021 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard CCS — 97-99 JD, 97+ WA
97-99 Pts “The last vintage for this legendary cuvée to be made with Beckstoffer fruit (the name will persist), the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard CCS is another incredibly classic, layered, unbelievably pure Cabernet Sauvignon that hits it out of the park. Crème de cassis, spring flowers, crushed stone, and tobacco notes flow to a full-bodied, pure, flawlessly balanced 2021 that has ample tannins but the mid-palate, concentration, and fruit to handle it. I love it.”
97+ Pts “The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon CCS Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard comes from block C1, planted to clone 4. Huge aromas of ripe black cherries are joined by hints of star anise, mocha and rich loam on the nose, while the palate is full-bodied, concentrated and velvety in feel, with a long, richly textured finish.”
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2019 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard CCS — 99 D, 98 WS, 98 WA, 98 JS, 98 JD
99 Pts. “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.”
98 Pts. “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 great power/purity interplay throughout, with tarry violet and loamy incense accents. While tannic through the finish, this also reveals a subtle ripple of acidity and a hint of iron. Terrific. Best from 2024 through 2040.”
98 Pts. “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.”
98 Pts. “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. Try after 2026.”
98 Pts. “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.”
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2018 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard CCS — 100 JD, 97 WA, 97 WS, 96 JS
100 Pts. “Just pure gold, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard CCS is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from one of California’s greatest terroirs that was brought up in 100% new French oak. This dense purple-colored effort has a magical bouquet of pure creme de cassis, smoke tobacco, white flowers, crushed stone, truffle, and hints of chocolate. Possessing full-bodied richness, this beauty builds incrementally on the palate, showing lots of ripe, polished tannins, no hard edges, and a rare mix of power, structure, and elegance that’s something to behold. Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, or red wine for that matter, just doesn’t get any better. Hats off to winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown for yet another majestic, singular wine that’s as good as it gets.”
97 Pts. “Schrader’s CCS comes from Beckstoffer’s To Kalon vineyard in Oakville, produced from clone 4 grown on the C1 block. It is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, aged in 100% new Darnajou and Taransaud French oak barrels for 18 months. Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon CCS Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard rolls effortlessly out of the glass with profound notions of baked plums, boysenberries, blackberry pie and cassis, leading to hints of mocha, tapenade and black truffles. Full-bodied, concentrated and with a rock-solid backbone of grainy tannins, it delivers muscular black fruit and savory flavors, leading to a long, earthy finish. 821 cases were made.”
97 Pts. “Vivid, with lush cassis, plum and boysenberry compote flavors rolling through, carried by substantial structure that pulls in warm earth, sweet tobacco, licorice root and sweet bay leaf notes. A violet echo weaves through on the finish as the fruit and earth notes meld. This is Oakville. Best from 2023 through 2040.”
96 Pts. “Fruity and relatively elegant. Toasted notes, nuts and vanilla, as well as blackberries. The palate is well balanced and velvety with subtle power. Full and flavorful. Finishes a tiny bit short, but should open with time. Drink after 2022.”
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2017 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard CCS — 98 JD, 96 WS, 95 WA, 95 JS
98 Pts. “Another wine in the running for the wine of the vintage is the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard CCS, which, as always, is all Cabernet aged in new Darnajou barrels. This full-bodied, magical 2017 has incredibly polished, silky tannins as well as a mammoth-sized texture and mouthfeel. Loaded with notions of blueberries, white flowers, graphite, candied violets, and incense, it’s one of those wines that carries incredible richness and depth yet never seems heavy or cumbersome. The 2017 doesn’t get much better, and this beauty can be drunk today or cellared for two decade”
96 Pts. “Shows the juicy, forward fruit of the vintage, featuring engaging plum, blackberry and raspberry notes and a zip of roasted apple wood on the finish. Reveals solid underlying grip, with a bold graphite accent emerging steadily as this airs in the glass. Exhibits great latent vibrancy. Best from 2022 through 2040. 1,182 cases made.”
95 Pts. “Very deep purple-black colored, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon CCS Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard is little youthfully mute to begin, slowly unfurling to reveal boysenberries, wild blueberries and plum preserves scents with a savory undercurrent of bouquet garni, charcuterie and black olives plus wafts of black truffles and underbrush. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is laden with earth-laced black fruits, finishing with plenty of chew and loads of savory layers.”
95 Pts. “Blueberry, light tar and hot-stone aromas with hints of walnuts and violets. Medium to full body, firm and silky tannins and a chewy, focused finish. Refined and pretty for the vintage. Drink or hold.”
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2016 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard CCS — 100 JD, 98 WA, 94 WS
100 Pts. “The most structured and backward in the lineup, yet with incredible potential, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon CCS Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard is a monumental bottle of wine that ticked all my boxes. Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged 20 months in 100% new Darnajou barrels, it reveals a deep purple color as well as a myriad of blueberry and cassis fruits, candied violets, spice box, and licorice, with just a hint of background oak and a lead pencil note. With a full-bodied, layered, thrilling texture, masses of ripe tannins, and a more focused and elegant style than usual for this cuvée, forget bottles for 4-5 years, count yourself lucky, and enjoy over the following 25+ years.”
98 Pts. “Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon CCS has exuberant notes of plum preserves, baked blackberries and warm cassis with notions of cedar, pencil lead, Indian spices and Sichuan pepper plus a touch of rose hip tea. Very firm and structured in the full-bodied mouth, the palate is laden with tightly wound black and blue fruit layers, lifted by an exciting line of freshness and finishing on a lingering perfumed note.”
94 Pts. “Features a deep well of dark currant, fig and blackberry paste flavors, shrouded for now in ganache and roasted vanilla notes. Shows tarry grip on the back end, with good latent energy and a finishing kick of fruit. Wait this out with some cellaring. Best from 2021 through 2034. 561 cases made.”
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2015 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard CCS — 100 JD, 99 WA, 98 JS, 94 WS
100 Pts. “The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard CCS is the gem in the lineup and is a perfect wine in every sense. Possessing a deep purple color, awesome minerality in its graphite, blueberry, cassis, and spice-driven aromatics, full-bodied richness and a weightless, elegant yet powerful style that needs to be tasted to be believed, this heavenly 2015 glides over the palate and is as seamless and pure as they come. Ideally it will be given a few years of bottle and it’s capable of developing for 20+ years.”
99 Pts. “Coming from the Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard, block C1 planted to clone 4, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon CCS has a very pretty nose of ripe plums, black cherries and mulberries with an undercurrent of violets, licorice, marmite toast and cigar box plus a touch of aged beef. Medium to full-bodied, the palate struts great finesse, with very fine, silt-like tannins supporting the nuanced black fruit layers, finishing very long and with great purity.”
98 Pts. “Wonderful blue fruits and stones with ink and blood undertones. Full-bodied, tight and very focused with super refined tannins. A long, flavorful finish. Great wine. Drink in 2021 but already gorgeous.”
94 Pts. “Marked by firm, ripe, dusty, loamy tannins that give this textural distinction, this will benefit from short-term cellaring. Tiers of spicy berry, loamy earth and smoky oak fold in nicely, adding to the experience. Best from 2021 through 2034.”
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2014 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard CCS — 98 WA, 96 JS, 95 WS
98 Pts. “Another one of my favorites is the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon CCS, which is clone 4 from the To Kalon Vineyard in Oakville. This is aged in 100% new Darnajou and is one of the larger cuvées at 510 cases. Wonderfully sweet, velvety tannins, a big sweet nose of white flowers, blackberry and cassis along with cedar wood, charcoal and graphite are all present in this full-bodied opulent wine that also retains wonderful elegance. It finished at 14.6% alcohol and will drink beautifully now as well as over the next 15-20 years.”
96 Pts. “Complex aromas of crushed blueberries, flowers and cold crushed stones follow through to a full body, soft and silky tannins and a flavorful finish. Shows a fine line of tannins and acidity though the rich yet fresh fruit. Drink in 2021.”
95 Pts. “Jazzy aromas of melted dark chocolate and toasty oak are alluring, supported by deep, rich, extracted dark berry, herb and savory underbrush notes, making for a mouthcoating texture and a long, persistent finish that keeps the flavors lively. Drink now through 2033.”
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2013 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard CCS — 100 WA, 99 JS, 94 WS
100 Pts. “There is something ethereal about the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon CCS, a wine that I tend to give more perfect scores to than of the other Schrader offerings. This is clone 4 from a special block of the Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard in Oakville, and it always seems to have these incredible, explosive aromatics ranging from blueberry to blackberry to cassis to spring flowers and lead pencil shavings. It's always one of the more seductive wines early on, with sweet, velvety tannins, a plush, succulent mouthfeel, full-bodied splendor and majestic texture. This is a killer effort of great intensity and presence. Drink it over then next 25-30 years.”
99 Pts. “So aromatic and floral with violet, lilac, and sage character. Full body, very cool. Lots of blue fruit. Hints of sweet tobacco, lemon grass and white pepper. Needs two or three years to open. Muscular. Better in 2023.”
94 Pts. “A robust and rustic youngster, undeniably powerful and deep, yet tightly wound and begging for cellaring and decanting. The dark red and black fruit is zesty, with minerally acidity, fine-grained tannins and a sense of refinement and elegance. Drink now through 2023.”
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2012 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard CCS — 100 WA, 94 WS
100 Pts. “The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer to Kalon Vineyard CCS is Clone 4 from another block, and always seems to hit all the sweet spots on my palate. It’s aged 20 months in 100% new Darnajou barrels. The good news is there are 520 cases of it. Just a prodigious wine, this spectacular Cabernet Sauvignon is inky bluish/purple with a gorgeous nose of spring flowers, blueberry, blackberry and cassis fruit, a touch of background toast and graphite. It has a very full-bodied, multidimensional mouthfeel and a skyscraper-like finish. It is fabulously open, sexy and a total thrill to smell and taste. This should continue to drink well for two decades.”
94 Pts. “While big and chewy, this offers an intriguing mix of dark berry, plum and black cherry, shaded by black licorice, cedar and berry jam on the finish. The flavors push through gracefully on the finish.”
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2011 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard CCS — 95 WA
95 Pts. “Usually my favorite cuvée, the Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard CCS is a beauty in 2011. Made in a showy, flamboyant style, it boasts a dense ruby/purple color as well as sweet notes of crème de cassis, violets, licorice, forest floor and new oak. This supple, round effort is one of the superstars of this challenging vintage. It should drink well for 10-15 years or longer.”
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2010 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard CCS — 98 WA, 95 WS
98 Pts. “A wine that seems to hit all of the sweet spots on my palate is the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard CCS made from clone 4. It possesses about the same amount of alcohol as the other wines (14.5%), and is aged 20 months in 100% new oak, but it reveals an opulence, voluptuousness and a seamless haute couture fashion. There is something Pomerol-like in the 2010 CCS that I have not noticed in previous vintages. That may be due to the upfront, appealing, stunningly rich, voluptuous style. This is a Cabernet Sauvignon of great nobility and character that, despite its precociousness, should age for 25+ years.”
95 Pts. “Red and black, black and red, a wonderful mix of flavors cloaked in a shawl of chewy, loamy earth and spicy tannins. Backward, this begs for cellaring and is sure to offer a pleasant surprise sometime soon.”
View Wine - 2006 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard CCS —
Double Diamond 2021 Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon
OAKVILLE, NAPA VALLEY 100% CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Crafted by Schrader Cellars winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown, Double Diamond is a truly captivating Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from exceptional vineyard lots, exclusively in Napa Valley’s renowned Oakville district. Double Diamond Cabernet Sauvignon is ready to enjoy now and will continue to evolve over the next 3-5 years.