2017 Cabernet Sauvignon CCS Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard
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Tasting notes
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 decades.
Critic scores
Average Score
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate
James Suckling
More reviews and scores
Schrader’s CCS comes from Beckstoffer’s To Kalon vineyard in Oakville, produced from clone 4 grown on the C1 block. One hundred percent Cabernet Sauvignon, it was aged in 100% new Darnajou oak barrels for 20 months. 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. 617 cases were made.
This is a really pretty cab with a solid fruit and tannin structure. Compact, polished tannins. Very beautiful. Coolness and length.
About the producer
Schrader Cellars is one of Napa’s cult names. It focuses on pairing specific clones with the perfect site to produce the ultimate expression of Napa Cabernet. The results regularly receive the very highest scores from critics, with 19 100-point scores from the Wine Advocate to date.