2008 Schrader Cellars, RBS Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Bottle (750ml)

RP97 "The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon RBS from Clone 337 planted in the Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard reveals a similar blue/purple color offers a big, sweet kiss of burning embers, charcoal, white chocolate, subtle toast, and oodles of creme de cassis and incense. This expressive, full-bodied, powerful wine is seamlessly constructed, shows little evidence of the 100% new oak aging, and like most of its peers, has a 45-second finish. It is slightly more exotic aromatically, but from a textural and concentration perspective, it is similar to its peers." RP Dec 2010
Schrader, RBS Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville
"From the reviews I gave Schrader’s 2007s and 2008s last year and the 2005s and 2006s previously, to the recent Wine Spectator cover story on Fred and Carol Schrader, there doesn’t appear to be a hotter Cabernet Sauvignon producer in the New World than this small boutique winery. The consulting winemaker for Fred and Carol Schrader is no other than Thomas Brown, who has won all kinds of accolades (well-deserved in my opinion) over the last 12 months. In essence, these wines are aged 18-24 months in a majority of Darnajou French barrels with some Taransaud included. The wines are incredibly expressive examples of Cabernet Sauvignon that are as good as it gets for this varietal. I’ll try and keep my notes simple, but these are profoundly great, world-class wines. If you can find any, don’t hesitate to buy them - you won’t regret it." RP Dec 2010