Had with a tenderloin and wagyu rib eye for our 40 anniversary. Opened it about a hour before - did not decant. Cherry and blackberries. Dense but very smooth. A tremendous wine for a special day - Schrader never disappoints.
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Layered, expressive, and ripe Napa Cabernet with dark blackberry fruit. Classic notes of mocha, dark chocolate, cassis along with hints of vanilla and spice on the finish. After a 60 minute decant, this becomes silky smooth with tannins that beautifully integrate into the fruit. Absolutely give this time in a decanter/glass before drinking.
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Consumed after a 4-hour double decant. Dense, complex, finessed. Drinking well but I think it will get better. In our horizontal tasting alongside ‘15 T6&GIII, this came in third but still a stunning wine.
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Delicious with the prime tenderloin steak at the SB Club. Opened with notes of spiced cherries, followed by expanding flavors of more cherries spice, and some ripe strawberries too. Great mouthfeel, and well balanced tannins and alcohol. Great time to drink after 2 hours of double decanting time. Still has years to go for full maturity.
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Lives up to the CT score. Aromas burst from the bottle upon opening. Dense and concentrated fruit framed by acid and tannin grip. 5 hr double decant allowed the acid and tannin to temper. Luscious fruit with a super long mint laced finish. Approachable now and will continue to age well.
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omg. still has time in this bottle. decanted for about 3 hours. first sip was hints of red fruit. nose on this wine was amazing. Great bottle and experience. Cheers
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Popped and poured. Cassis, currant, cedar, tannins present but relatively tame. Compared with La Mondotte ( merlot) same vintage which was open as well. Beautiful fruit both. Has more years to go
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Absolutely stunning! A concentrated version of cassis and spices. Very structured, but with highly polished tannins. This can be cellared for another 10 years without any trouble. Unfortunately selling at a not very healthy price:)
Loads of dark red fruits, blueberry, dried rose petals, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, vanilla, olive juice, silky mouthfeel and perfect balance with medium+ acidity for that refreshing taste. Love this now, it did need 2 hours to open.
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PnP, but later decanted it for a couple hours. Very aromatic, cassis, cherry, red apple skins, raspberry, pomegranate, dried forest floor, cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, spice box, cedar, great flavor and balance, classic Napa style. Medium acidity and tannin, high complexity and length. Great right now and per my last note, I don’t see this getting much better than it is right now.
Brief note, enjoyed over two Coravin and then bottle. Shows lush and dense black and blue fruits as expected. Also gives off some more nuanced clay, sweet pine and forest notes. Palate was smooth and viscous, jammy, cassis and currants, with hints of evergreen and spice. I am not top scoring this as I thought it was missing some of the edge I get on other schraders.
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Decanted for 5 hours in bottle, cassis, currants, blueberry, soft oak, anise, licorice, cinnamon, tree bark, crazy good balance, drinking very well now with some air, I’m not sure if it will get better.
I managed to lose track of the calendar and scheduled a business dinner for breaking the fast on Yom Kippur. All put together, I decided to go with the serious stuff and this was the first item I grabbed in the cellar. Double decanted about two hours before drinking it. This is obviously still a baby, but EXCEPTIONAL. It is way beyond just approachable now, Red fruit, not sweet cherry but more plum-ish with dark cherry. Extremely smooth and, if I am allowed to be politically incorrect, a very sexy wine without being slutty. The alcohol was not intrusive and nothing while drinking it made me even think to check the ABV, so I don't know what it was. I have stopped buying Schrader because they were bought by the mega-ultra conglomerate, but there was nothing wrong with the wine, at least under the old regime.
This came in a five bottle box with other cuvees. The correct approach, assuming I can keep my hands off them, is to space out the remaining four in two or three year increments. I do not expect that they will even peak by then, but I'm too old to wait.
Slow ox for 3 hours. Also had a 2015 Carter Grand Daddy open.
The girls unanimously preferred the Carter. I also slightly preferred it, but think its best days are still ahead.
The Schrader was great and a tick more balanced, although a little less power. A good friend that has been drinking Schrader for years told me a while back that his biggest compliment to Schrader was that he found you could pop one after 2 months, 2 years or 10 years and it would still be on point. As I drink more Schraders (although still pretty rarely), I see where he is coming from. These are gorgeous, and always balanced.
Oh boy, this is special! It needs a little air, but man, just a perfect BTK nose of really rich blueberry compote, black currant, chocolate, Rutherford Dust and hints of vanilla and cedar. The way TRB pulls off the balance between lovely plush fruit and total and complete integrated balance is amazing. This is really everything I look for in a wine. Beautiful, full and perfectly pure round fruit, elegant and silky texture, unreal sophistication and layer after layer of a nearly perfect valley floor flavor profile. No part of this wine is overdone and there is not a hard edge to be found. A super long, deep and amazing finish. This is the kind of wine that reminds you why you love Napa Cabernet so much. Nearly perfect, and drinking very well with a couple hours of air. This will age well, but if you enjoy young, vibrant, plush and concentrated Cabs, it won't hurt to open it now.
Decided to Coravin a glass because I am debating to continue purchasing Schrader or moving on. I really like the wine, but its a stale customer experience. Nobody to talk to, no tastings, forced allocations and now they sold out to Constellation.
Hey now -- the wine happens to be amazing! My last Schrader was in St. Helena at Farmstead, it was a '12 CCS and it was tied for first place against very tough competition. So, I decided to Coravin the '15 to see if I was going to re-up or pass. I opened the '15 RBS because RBS is my least favorite Schrader. RBS stands for Clone 337, the same clone - from the same vineyard - as Carter's The O.G. which is interesting because I really enjoy Carter's OG.
What a fantastic 1/2 glass of wine! Dark in color with black, blue, purple and red notes. Very well integrated and so easy to drink. Full-bodied, strong smell and flavor, mineral and earth notes, and a nice easy and long finish. This is ready so I might just have to open it up...
4/14/2024 - admurray Likes this wine: 96 Points
Had with a tenderloin and wagyu rib eye for our 40 anniversary. Opened it about a hour before - did not decant. Cherry and blackberries. Dense but very smooth. A tremendous wine for a special day - Schrader never disappoints.
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3/16/2024 - Schiffy Likes this wine: 96 Points
Layered, expressive, and ripe Napa Cabernet with dark blackberry fruit. Classic notes of mocha, dark chocolate, cassis along with hints of vanilla and spice on the finish. After a 60 minute decant, this becomes silky smooth with tannins that beautifully integrate into the fruit. Absolutely give this time in a decanter/glass before drinking.
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2/18/2024 - wine-eau Likes this wine: 95 Points
Consumed after a 4-hour double decant. Dense, complex, finessed. Drinking well but I think it will get better. In our horizontal tasting alongside ‘15 T6&GIII, this came in third but still a stunning wine.
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2/12/2024 - heathenone@msn.com Likes this wine: 95 Points
Delicious with the prime tenderloin steak at the SB Club. Opened with notes of spiced cherries, followed by expanding flavors of more cherries spice, and some ripe strawberries too. Great mouthfeel, and well balanced tannins and alcohol. Great time to drink after 2 hours of double decanting time. Still has years to go for full maturity.
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12/10/2023 - mtnbarry Likes this wine: 95 Points
Lives up to the CT score. Aromas burst from the bottle upon opening. Dense and concentrated fruit framed by acid and tannin grip. 5 hr double decant allowed the acid and tannin to temper. Luscious fruit with a super long mint laced finish. Approachable now and will continue to age well.
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10/29/2023 - T.E.D. wrote: 94 Points
Intense berry fruit leading to more nuanced woodsy notes, dense clay, some cedar over time. Very velvety and well integrated.
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9/24/2023 - eschuldt wrote: 95 Points
A little wood showing through but still a nice bottle.
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3/3/2023 - Cuellar's Cellar Likes this wine: 94 Points
omg. still has time in this bottle. decanted for about 3 hours. first sip was hints of red fruit. nose on this wine was amazing. Great bottle and experience. Cheers
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1/26/2023 - Handy1 Likes this wine: 96 Points
Popped and poured. Cassis, currant, cedar, tannins present but relatively tame. Compared with La Mondotte ( merlot) same vintage which was open as well. Beautiful fruit both. Has more years to go
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1/26/2023 - ptelgenh wrote: 95 Points
Drinking beautifully after a two hour decant at STK Las Vegas. Nice balance with integrated tannins. Drink now
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1/20/2023 - bubbachumps wrote: 96 Points
In a great window, drinking beautifully after a 2.5 hour decant
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1/15/2023 - SageyPoo wrote:
Wow, 2 hour decant and what a treat. Soft and elegant with fine tannins
and all California fruit and ripeness without any heat. Best bottle in awhile.
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6/30/2022 - Francois Le Mouel Likes this wine: 98 Points
Absolutely stunning! A concentrated version of cassis and spices. Very structured, but with highly polished tannins. This can be cellared for another 10 years without any trouble. Unfortunately selling at a not very healthy price:)
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2/19/2022 - Cuellar's Cellar Likes this wine: 94 Points
Very lovely. Approachable, silky, tannins have mellowed out. Had this with a nice dinner in Napa. Food paired nicely with it. Cheers
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1/22/2022 - pakabear Likes this wine: 97 Points
Loads of dark red fruits, blueberry, dried rose petals, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, vanilla, olive juice, silky mouthfeel and perfect balance with medium+ acidity for that refreshing taste. Love this now, it did need 2 hours to open.
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8/15/2021 - vintage1949 wrote: 92 Points
I hope the score was related to an off palate. I experienced a “viney” nose which translated directly to the palate. Bimmer Dave
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8/13/2021 - ruppdavey@yahoo.com wrote: 98 Points
Perfect
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7/1/2021 - pakabear Likes this wine: 97 Points
PnP, but later decanted it for a couple hours. Very aromatic, cassis, cherry, red apple skins, raspberry, pomegranate, dried forest floor, cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, spice box, cedar, great flavor and balance, classic Napa style. Medium acidity and tannin, high complexity and length. Great right now and per my last note, I don’t see this getting much better than it is right now.
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2/5/2021 - eschuldt wrote: 96 Points
Nicely balanced. 3hr slow ox, not rich but plush.
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12/25/2020 - Len from Dallas wrote: 95 Points
93 originally but after a couple weeks with coravin I bump it up to a 95. Real good To Kalon fruit. Dark cherry, sweet boysenberry. Smooth tannins.
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9/16/2020 - T.E.D. wrote: 94 Points
Brief note, enjoyed over two Coravin and then bottle. Shows lush and dense black and blue fruits as expected. Also gives off some more nuanced clay, sweet pine and forest notes. Palate was smooth and viscous, jammy, cassis and currants, with hints of evergreen and spice. I am not top scoring this as I thought it was missing some of the edge I get on other schraders.
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4/12/2020 - pakabear Likes this wine: 96 Points
Decanted for 5 hours in bottle, cassis, currants, blueberry, soft oak, anise, licorice, cinnamon, tree bark, crazy good balance, drinking very well now with some air, I’m not sure if it will get better.
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10/9/2019 - Jay Hack Likes this wine: 96 Points
I managed to lose track of the calendar and scheduled a business dinner for breaking the fast on Yom Kippur. All put together, I decided to go with the serious stuff and this was the first item I grabbed in the cellar. Double decanted about two hours before drinking it. This is obviously still a baby, but EXCEPTIONAL. It is way beyond just approachable now, Red fruit, not sweet cherry but more plum-ish with dark cherry. Extremely smooth and, if I am allowed to be politically incorrect, a very sexy wine without being slutty. The alcohol was not intrusive and nothing while drinking it made me even think to check the ABV, so I don't know what it was. I have stopped buying Schrader because they were bought by the mega-ultra conglomerate, but there was nothing wrong with the wine, at least under the old regime.
This came in a five bottle box with other cuvees. The correct approach, assuming I can keep my hands off them, is to space out the remaining four in two or three year increments. I do not expect that they will even peak by then, but I'm too old to wait.
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5/29/2019 - Cuellar's Cellar Likes this wine: 93 Points
So approachable. Most 2015's are drinkable today, as for this one, it is, but you can hold this for many years to come. Cheers
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9/1/2018 - ageverett Likes this wine: 96 Points
Slow ox for 3 hours. Also had a 2015 Carter Grand Daddy open.
The girls unanimously preferred the Carter. I also slightly preferred it, but think its best days are still ahead.
The Schrader was great and a tick more balanced, although a little less power. A good friend that has been drinking Schrader for years told me a while back that his biggest compliment to Schrader was that he found you could pop one after 2 months, 2 years or 10 years and it would still be on point. As I drink more Schraders (although still pretty rarely), I see where he is coming from. These are gorgeous, and always balanced.
Splitting hairs. Both were great.
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3/9/2018 - Cristal2000 Likes this wine: 99 Points
Oh boy, this is special! It needs a little air, but man, just a perfect BTK nose of really rich blueberry compote, black currant, chocolate, Rutherford Dust and hints of vanilla and cedar. The way TRB pulls off the balance between lovely plush fruit and total and complete integrated balance is amazing. This is really everything I look for in a wine. Beautiful, full and perfectly pure round fruit, elegant and silky texture, unreal sophistication and layer after layer of a nearly perfect valley floor flavor profile. No part of this wine is overdone and there is not a hard edge to be found. A super long, deep and amazing finish. This is the kind of wine that reminds you why you love Napa Cabernet so much. Nearly perfect, and drinking very well with a couple hours of air. This will age well, but if you enjoy young, vibrant, plush and concentrated Cabs, it won't hurt to open it now.
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12/27/2017 - pdemaio wrote: 96 Points
PDQ96+
Big, beautiful and lovely. As elegant as any wine of this scale can be. Great mouthfeel and terrific fruit, with nice, firm, round tannins.
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12/15/2017 - #1Winelover Likes this wine: 98 Points
Decided to Coravin a glass because I am debating to continue purchasing Schrader or moving on. I really like the wine, but its a stale customer experience. Nobody to talk to, no tastings, forced allocations and now they sold out to Constellation.
Hey now -- the wine happens to be amazing! My last Schrader was in St. Helena at Farmstead, it was a '12 CCS and it was tied for first place against very tough competition. So, I decided to Coravin the '15 to see if I was going to re-up or pass. I opened the '15 RBS because RBS is my least favorite Schrader. RBS stands for Clone 337, the same clone - from the same vineyard - as Carter's The O.G. which is interesting because I really enjoy Carter's OG.
What a fantastic 1/2 glass of wine! Dark in color with black, blue, purple and red notes. Very well integrated and so easy to drink. Full-bodied, strong smell and flavor, mineral and earth notes, and a nice easy and long finish. This is ready so I might just have to open it up...
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