A bottle of 2019 schrader wh on a grey background

2019 WH

Our debut release of Schrader WH Cabernet Sauvignon adds dimension to our portfolio as the grapes are grown on a hillside in the upper end of the acclaimed Stags Leap District.

Vintage 2019
Alcohol 14.5%
Vineyard Wappo Hill Vineyard
Appellation Stags Leap District, Napa Valley
Varietal Cabernet Sauvignon
Clone Pure Clone 685
Cooperage Aged in 100% new Darnajou and Taransaud French oak barrels
Winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown

Tasting Notes

Our debut release of Schrader WH Cabernet Sauvignon adds dimension to our portfolio as the grapes are grown on a hillside in the upper end of the acclaimed Stags Leap District. The glossy eggplant hue hints at the complement of red, blue, and purple fruit characters present in the wine. Blackberry, dark currant, red cherry, and briar berry aromas combine with pleasing threads of baking spice, black licorice, floral petal, and soft, dusty earth tones. This stunning wine shows the tremendous power of a classic Napa Valley Cabernet handsomely paired with an ample fruit core, firm structure, integrated tannins, and a polished, long-lasting finish.
Accolades

97 Pts “This is a fantastic new wine, with crushed berries, stones, and oyster shell with moss and pine needles. Full and linear, with agile acidity that gives the wine energy. It's salty and lively. So focused and mouthwatering. So attractive now, but will age beautifully. ”
— James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com
96 Pts “A new wine from this team, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Wappo Hill comes from a famous site in the Stags Leap District and is all Cabernet Sauvignon. At a high level, Stags Leap is a slightly cooler region, and the wines shine for their complexity, and that's certainly the case here. Lots of cassis, violets, graphite, dried flowers, and spicy oak define the bouquet, and it's medium to full-bodied, has good acidity, some chalky tannins, and notable freshness and purity. The acidity is higher here, but this still brings plenty of classic Schrader opulence and texture.”
— Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com
WH Accolades
- 2022 Wappo Hill Vineyard —
  View Wine
- 2021 Wappo Hill Vineyard — 97+ JD, 97 WS, 95 WA
  
  97+ Pts “A release that was first produced in 2019, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Wappo Hill Vineyard comes from a site in the Stags Leap District and is all Cabernet Sauvignon brought up in mostly new French oak. Red and black currants, iron, white flowers, candle wax, and spicy notes all emerge from this full-bodied, concentrated yet vibrant, fresh, focused 2021 that has plenty of ripe tannins, a great mid-palate, and one incredible finish. It's going to age beautifully. Give bottles 2-4 years and enjoy over the following two decades or more.”
  — Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com
  97 Pts "This captures the essence of the vintage wonderfully, with vivid notes of violet, anise and iris leading the way for ripe, succulent blackberry, boysenberry and mulberry paste flavors. Offers a flattering melted licorice snap accent along the edges, while the finish packs in brambly energy at its core. This is going to unfurl wonderfully in the cellar. Drink now through 2042.”
  — James Moleworth, Wine Spectator
  95 Pts “Just Schrader's second vintage of this wine (there was no 2020 produced), the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Wappo Hill comes across as a bit tarry, backed by black olives and black cherries. It's full-bodied, silky and almost plush yet retains a savory edge on the vibrant, lingering finish. All clone 685 and matured in a mix of new Taransaud and Darnajou barrels.”
  — The Wine Advocate
  View Wine
- 2019 Wappo Hill Cabernet Sauvignon — 97 JS, 96 JD, 95 WS, 95-97 WA
  
  97 Pts “This is a fantastic new wine, with crushed berries, stones, and oyster shell with moss and pine needles. Full and linear, with agile acidity that gives the wine energy. It's salty and lively. So focused and mouthwatering. So attractive now, but will age beautifully. ”
  — James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com
  96 Pts “A new wine from this team, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Wappo Hill comes from a famous site in the Stags Leap District and is all Cabernet Sauvignon. At a high level, Stags Leap is a slightly cooler region, and the wines shine for their complexity, and that's certainly the case here. Lots of cassis, violets, graphite, dried flowers, and spicy oak define the bouquet, and it's medium to full-bodied, has good acidity, some chalky tannins, and notable freshness and purity. The acidity is higher here, but this still brings plenty of classic Schrader opulence and texture.”
  — Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com
  95 Pts “Showy, with waves of cassis, plum pâte de fruit and blackberry preserves backed by licorice snap, roasted apple wood and cocoa. A nice, racy graphite spine provides necessary support. A hedonist's delight. Drink now through 2035.”
  — James Molesworth, Wine Spectator
  95-97 Pts “...gregarious scents of mulberries, redcurrant jelly, blackberry pie and cassis, plus hints of fragrant earth, bouquet garni, cumin seed, and pencil lead.”
  — Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Advocate
Vineyard

Wappo Hill Vineyard, located in the upper end of the Stags Leap District, was first planted in 1969. The grapes for our wine are grown on a hillside in well-drained, gravelly, and clay-loam soils. Ample afternoon sun, bookended by cool mornings and evenings, produce intensely flavored fruit with exceptionally balanced acidity.
Vintage

A cool vintage overall, the picking windows for 2019 were very long, which gave us the luxury of harvesting each different vineyard block at the perfect level of ripeness. The moment we pressed the grapes, we knew this wine was heading toward greatness. It’s exhibiting remarkable freshness that perfectly balances its flavor concentration and compares to the exceptional 2001/2002 vintages for tannins and acidity. Wonderfully enjoyable at release but will also be an ideal addition to your cellar for many years to come.

All WH Vintages

2022

2021

Previous 2019 T6

2019 WH

Tasting Notes

Accolades

Vineyard

Vintage