2005 Schrader Cellars, 'Old Sparky' Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Magnum (1.5L)

RP100 "The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Old Sparky (only available in magnums) is the highest in alcohol (14.8%) and, again, was aged in 100% new Darnajou barrels. This is just magnificent and at age ten, tasting like it was four to five years of age. Of course, tasting from magnum contributed somewhat to that, but it’s a great, great example of the Schrader’s favorite cuvée, hence the name. It is predominantly made from Clone 6, with small amounts of Clones 4 and 337. Like all these wines, it has an inky purple color, with notes of licorice, forest floor, graphite, cedar wood and creme de cassis and new saddle leather. Voluptuously textured, expansive, savory and full-bodied, with super-sweet tannins and a finish that goes on for close to a minute, this is a prodigious wine and one of the superstars of the vintage. Look for it to drink well for another 30+ years." RP Jun 2015
"As long-time readers realize, the Schrader project is a clonal micro-terroir look at different clones of Cabernet Sauvignon from the famous Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard in Oakville. The consulting winemaker from the beginning of this project has been Thomas Rivers Brown. The year 2005 marked the first vintage made at one of his other client’s wineries, Outpost. The fascinating thing is, these wines taste young, with 30-40 years of aging potential! The differences are likely to become more apparent with cellaring. Not to my surprise, their 2005s tasted like 3- or 4-year-old wines, all incredibly impressive, and all a treat to drink even now. That said, all of them have three decades or more cellaring potential."