2003 Cabernet Sauvignon RBS Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard
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Tasting notes
The closest to full maturity and farthest along in its evolution appears to be the 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon RBS Beckstoffer To- Kalon Vineyard. Notes of pen ink, creosote, tar, black currants and Christmas fruitcake jump from the glass of this dense ruby/purple-colored effort, which is showing less color saturation than its three siblings. Full-bodied and ripe with soft tannins, good freshness and liveliness, there is no reason to defer your gratification. It is an intense, mouthfilling, terrific, young Cabernet Sauvignon that should continue to drink well for 10-15 years. These wines represent an obsessive-compulsive intellectual study of the effect of different Cabernet Sauvignon clones in a single vineyard, in this case, the great Beckstoffer To-Kalon site in Oakville. Made by Thomas Brown for Fred (Old Sparky) and Carol Schrader, these wines are all stunning. At age ten, they are just beginning to reveal some nuances and differences illustrated by this clonal exercise. Tel. (707) 942-1212
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
(14.7% alcohol) Good ruby-red. Highly floral aromas of blueberry, licorice, menthol and violet. Sweet black raspberry and blackberry flavors are firmed by a slight edge of acidity and lifted by floral and mineral nuances. Still a bit youthfully tart on the finish and in need of bottle aging.
(from Clone 337) Good deep ruby color. Highly nuanced aromas of currant, plum, black raspberry, tobacco leaf, violet, licorice and minerals. Densely packed if a bit youthfully clenched, with flavors of black and red fruits, licorice, tobacco and menthol. An uncompromisingly dry wine that retains a light touch and a rather fine grain. Finishes with building tannins that avoid dryness.
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.