Big, typical Cali Cab, blackberry, black currants, vanilla, firm tannins, long finish, over extracted and monolithic for my taste, may have suffered from drinking next to the other wines at that dinner, Dunn HM '94, Angelus '90.
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PNP Merois Needed a decant. It opened up in the glass and some hard edges mellowed as time elapsed but the oak remained too prevalent . This could be gorgeous in 5 years,… or not.
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Served blind. My third bottle of the wine this year, all shared with me through the kindness of my wine friends. This bottle did not show as well to me as the previous two. I found this bottle plush and dark, with a juicy black cherry profile, dark cocolclate. charcoal and a chewy finish. Just too much of everything here on a night when I perhaps just wasn't feeling it. I just wonder if a full day of air (as the January 2021 bottle I wrote up below received) would have changed my opinion here.
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Double blind. Decanted. Aromas of chocolate, cassis and blue fruit with hints of bouillon and herbs underneath. Balanced. Flavors of black raspberry and blue fruit with spice and chocolate in the finish. Lingering finish. Guessed young Napa cab sauv. 93-94 pts.
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The Gang Drinks Blind (Mesa Verde Country Club in the OC): Poured blind. I recall having this in 2021, and I liked the wine then. In fact, this is not the first time that I found a liking to the 2006 Schrader bottlings. This is a 'bigger' red as my notes say, and powerful. Still some new toasted oak in play, with a deep, dark cab fruited palate. Even some lavender in this bottle. Chewy and spicy, my hunch is that the 2006 Schraders are going to go a long time.
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Wines Done Blind (Zoom!): Tasted blind. And with the power of Cellartracker (and that I remain a devoted note taker), I can see my own note from way back in 2012 when I tasted this alongside the 2008 and 2002. Even at that time, I felt the 2006 was going to be a good ager, and by god, I was right. This wine impressed all of us last night, poured alongside the 1987 Beringer Private Reserve Cab (which was gorgeous). We really just had a ball tasting these two wines side by side, blind. So, to the Schrader, the color last night showed dark, with fresh, dark berry yet acidity that gives it tang, joined by a density that is terrific. Like with the Beringer, I put aside a few remaining ounces from the tasting bottle so I could do another taste of it today (a full 24 hours from last night). Damn, this is aging really well, and despite some of my own bias about the size and weight of today's Napa Cabs (most of all that I don't care for), this 2006 is really impressive. Yes, there is color and density here but there is balance, and it's not all marred and obscured by the new French oak that Cab is coated with today. This is plummy, with a tangy black cherry, some charcoal. I honestly don't see any signs of this being 15 years old, and I believe that there is a winner here, a wine that likely is going to remain even, balanced and graced by the way it was made as it ages into the future. Really well done.
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What a way to kick off 2020! This wine could not be more closed at the opening, tight, tannic, and frankly unimpressive given the price. For the first hour it was a 90 at best. BUT with time in the decanter, the wine completely transformed. By the 3rd hour it was singing and the 4th hour even better. This is a huge california cab. Dark blue purple fruit, incredible structure, and a tremendous finish. The nose is old world meets california cab, the body is deep wide and full of dark fruit, the finish is sublime deep and long. The wine has incredible concentration and depth. Lastly, unlike many California wines this is built to last and could easily be cellared first another 10 years. Beautiful!
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Laurie says "nonsense" she's not drinking anymore dirty old wines and drags this up from the cellar. You know this is good. It did not disappoint. Deep, dark and powerful. Mocha, prickly tannins, coffee, cassis, and very concentrated. Memorable wine.
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Very, very deserving of its rating. No flaws. Perfect. No sediment. Moderate rim variation. Dark, dark ruby garnet color. Old world nose. Full of dark fruits and florals. Low tannin. Low acid. Medium alcfohol. Long finish. Paired perfectly with grilled hamburgers. So, so ready to drink. And, sadly, our one and only. Enjoy!
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Rich, concentrated fruit, blackberries, currants, black cherries, and plums with licorice and earthiness in the nose and flavor. The 2006 To-Kalon is full bodied with nice complexity, and a long finish.
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Supper rich jammy and concentrated - almost too much for its own good. So much going on it really was not the best wine for dinner (see note on 2006 Herb Lamb which was first bottle finished).
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This is fantastic. Great dark color-almost black looking. Lots of fruit on the nose and finish was long lasting-more than a minute long. It seems to not only be holding up for a ten year old wine, but still has many years left to cellar. Just kept getting better and better with a fabulous meal! Clearly was a favorite among our guest at the table. Wish I had more of this vintage from this vineyard!
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WOW, simply a phenomenal bottle of cab! Layers of blackberry, cassis, vanilla, and spice notes on the nose and layered palate with a killer long finish. Paired well with the cuisine of a Brazilian steakhouse.
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Really excellent wine though it still tasted very young. It has great fruit, plenty of structure and noticeable acidity followed by a mid-long finish. The acidity means that, to me, you need to drink this with a beautiful steak to take full advantage of the experience. It's a terrific wine and a reaffirming reason to buy Schrader Cabs. With time it will probably rise to 97-98 pts. (popped and poured, tasted, then let sit for 45 minutes.)
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Decanted it for 3.5 hours prior to drinking. Very dark wine with a great nose. It is well balanced as it still has great fruit on the mid-palate, but definitely not a fruit bomb, and nice long finish. This wine is drinking great now, but probably still has a long life ahead of itself.
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To Kalon Night at Collyer Catering (Collyer Catering): While the 05 Schrader and Continuum were very similar, the 06 Schrader deviated from those two. The nose had coconut, blackberry, currant, yogurt and a hint of vanilla. Just a very interesting nose, perhaps the best of the night. The palate on this was also impressive with flavors of cherry, blackberry, currant and earth. Finish lasted about 40-45 seconds and lingered on the palate showing extra nuances.
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Decided to open the first of my '06 Schrader's and this was it.
Opened and decanted about an hour before the first taste. A deep ruby red and a melodic nose of slightly sweet dark fruit highlighted by blackberry and boysenberry. A creamy vanilla ties everything together and there is so much going on but it integrates into a very harmonic drinking experinece. Mid-palate I tasted cocoa laced with slight mineralty and tobaco. The mouthfeel is wonderfully lush and the finish went on and on. I loved this wine in every respect alhough it still seems not to have reached anywhere near its peak. I think another two years would help what is already a great drinkng experience.
Also being drunk alongside was an '04 Kapcsandy that is a little mellower from a fruitiness standpoint but equally adept at tying things together. These wines are different but equally enjoyable. The difference may simply be the youth of the Schrader but we all slightly leaned toward the Kapcsandy.
These two followed a pair of stupendous '89 Beaucastel C du P's including a Homage that was the highlight of the night. When I rate theSchrader Beck To Kalon a 97 and it was third on my ovreall list it speaks to the stunning wine being poured last night.
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I tasted this alongside the 2008 and this 2006 just outdid it. There is tannin here, sweet dark berry, the wine is round and yet juicy. Has a brewed coffee note and terrific length. The youth in this wine still shows and I think, like the 2002, this will be a good ager. My notes have this starred in the margin as I really enjoyed this bottle.
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--- COLOR: Opaque garnet with medium ruby rim NOTE: All of the Schrader '06 are rich and dense thus far, but not opulent. That keeps them below my 95+ range. Nose here is slightly hot plum pudding, cherry pipe tobacco, 60% dark chocolate, ground espresso, cracked black pepper. Mouth is decadently rich with boysenberry liqueur, kirsch, melted dark chocolate-raspberry bar. 60+ second finish starts off hot but brings in a great pebble/mineral element. It has my "blackberry/raspberry syrup drizzled on hot cracked granite" element that I find in most Schrader Cabs. The finish lilts off into mocha and dark cocoa powder. Lovely as expected. Had some the next day and it was just as beautiful. Both days I tried it in a regular Riedel stem side-by-side with the somm stem and the somm series won! It takes a big Cab to fill that 32 oz bowl!
DECANT: 1-5 hours. GLASS USED: Bordeaux - Riedel sommelier series (yeah, the big daddy!) TASTE: 9.4- OTHER: COST: 130 VALUE: 7.1 PREVIOUSLY TASTED: n/a TRY AGAIN: now - 2018 PAIRING: n/a Inquiries can be addressed to troypeterson@usa.net ---
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Nose of warm spicy cassis with blackberries and cardamom. Palate is fully rounded with nary a rough edge to be felt. This has pure black/red fruits of currant, blackberries and dark plum skin. It certainly is a plushy styled Napa Cab that has a lot to give: It’s fragrant, pure, precise and slightly ‘fat’. Hints of cinnamon, cedar, vanilla and tea leaf are present. It stays consistent with its guile and poise. Mouthfeel is round and large boned, but those bones are masked under walls of fruit and goodness. Long and precise, this is a schnizzle of a drop, if I had to want for anything, it would be a little more structure and 'complication'.
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Dark in color with multi-tiered nose consisting of dark currant and cassis surrounded by some minerality/earth. + some oak and toasty notes as well. Structured and somewhat taut on the palate due to the tannins (a consistent note with many of the Cali 2006's). Great complexity and finish. I would recommend decanting for a couple hours prior to drinking or cellaring for another 2-3 years.
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Blind CA Cult Cab Tasting (Snohomish, WA): Tasted blind. (Group's #2 (my #1)) – 3 first place votes, 2 second place votes, 5 third place votes, 2 tasters dropped out for this flight – The nose had aromas of cassis, cherry and chocolate. The palate had very rich blackberry flavors with notes of toast and sweet oak. This was slightly different than the other Schraders that I have tasted to date, but it was still a beautiful bottle of Cabernet. I did find it interesting that all 3 of the 1st place votes came from the guys at the tasting that are already on the Schrader list...
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The wine of the holidays for us -- lives up to the hype, and this is not even one of the most "hyped" bottlings. Just a blockbuster with layer upon layer of different flavors emerging throughout the evening. I bet this would have been even better with more time in the glass to open up, but none of us could resist drinking it!
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Naples Annual Boys Lunch: Dark sweet toasty nose showing rich chocolate covered red berries. Soft rich and purely decedent. Sweet ripe and concentrated red lush fruit. Purity of fruit, elegant. Sweet, yet balanced. 96
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Powerful cab, with plenty of fruit roiling beneith the powderkeg surface. Really stood out when compared with other serious Napa cabs, making alternative big names look weak.
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Young but liked it. Deep and more complex than the Cedar Knoll Cab. Some tannins and acid. Not quite in total balance ut very tasty especially the next day.
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This wine is amazing! Big and powerful but also smooth and polished. I imagine this will improve over the next few years but I don't feel like we committed infanticide by opening it now as it was very enjoyable. 96+ pts.
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Outpost Winery (Howel Mountain, CA): Tasted from the barrel. A blockbuster wine already. Generous and opulent notes of ripe black cherries, plum, red currants, mocha, and caramel. Flashy and decadent and a real joy to drink. 94-95 points.
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1/1/2023 - ShadowIII Likes this wine: 93 Points
Big, typical Cali Cab, blackberry, black currants, vanilla, firm tannins, long finish, over extracted and monolithic for my taste, may have suffered from drinking next to the other wines at that dinner, Dunn HM '94, Angelus '90.
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12/14/2021 - Kevnzworld wrote: 94 Points
PNP Merois
Needed a decant. It opened up in the glass and some hard edges mellowed as time elapsed but the oak remained too prevalent .
This could be gorgeous in 5 years,… or not.
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11/18/2021 - brigcampbell wrote:
Blind semicolon I thought this was an sqn.
Incredibly large wine, blue fruited and a bit over the top. Still lots of gritty tannins wrapped around the creamy mouth fill and some astringency.
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11/18/2021 - Frank Murray III wrote:
Served blind. My third bottle of the wine this year, all shared with me through the kindness of my wine friends. This bottle did not show as well to me as the previous two. I found this bottle plush and dark, with a juicy black cherry profile, dark cocolclate. charcoal and a chewy finish. Just too much of everything here on a night when I perhaps just wasn't feeling it. I just wonder if a full day of air (as the January 2021 bottle I wrote up below received) would have changed my opinion here.
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9/17/2021 - AllRed wrote: 93 Points
Double blind. Decanted. Aromas of chocolate, cassis and blue fruit with hints of bouillon and herbs underneath. Balanced. Flavors of black raspberry and blue fruit with spice and chocolate in the finish. Lingering finish. Guessed young Napa cab sauv. 93-94 pts.
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5/8/2021 - Frank Murray III wrote:
The Gang Drinks Blind (Mesa Verde Country Club in the OC): Poured blind. I recall having this in 2021, and I liked the wine then. In fact, this is not the first time that I found a liking to the 2006 Schrader bottlings. This is a 'bigger' red as my notes say, and powerful. Still some new toasted oak in play, with a deep, dark cab fruited palate. Even some lavender in this bottle. Chewy and spicy, my hunch is that the 2006 Schraders are going to go a long time.
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1/27/2021 - Frank Murray III wrote:
Wines Done Blind (Zoom!): Tasted blind. And with the power of Cellartracker (and that I remain a devoted note taker), I can see my own note from way back in 2012 when I tasted this alongside the 2008 and 2002. Even at that time, I felt the 2006 was going to be a good ager, and by god, I was right. This wine impressed all of us last night, poured alongside the 1987 Beringer Private Reserve Cab (which was gorgeous). We really just had a ball tasting these two wines side by side, blind. So, to the Schrader, the color last night showed dark, with fresh, dark berry yet acidity that gives it tang, joined by a density that is terrific. Like with the Beringer, I put aside a few remaining ounces from the tasting bottle so I could do another taste of it today (a full 24 hours from last night). Damn, this is aging really well, and despite some of my own bias about the size and weight of today's Napa Cabs (most of all that I don't care for), this 2006 is really impressive. Yes, there is color and density here but there is balance, and it's not all marred and obscured by the new French oak that Cab is coated with today. This is plummy, with a tangy black cherry, some charcoal. I honestly don't see any signs of this being 15 years old, and I believe that there is a winner here, a wine that likely is going to remain even, balanced and graced by the way it was made as it ages into the future. Really well done.
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1/1/2020 - VINNICK Likes this wine: 97 Points
What a way to kick off 2020! This wine could not be more closed at the opening, tight, tannic, and frankly unimpressive given the price. For the first hour it was a 90 at best. BUT with time in the decanter, the wine completely transformed. By the 3rd hour it was singing and the 4th hour even better. This is a huge california cab. Dark blue purple fruit, incredible structure, and a tremendous finish. The nose is old world meets california cab, the body is deep wide and full of dark fruit, the finish is sublime deep and long. The wine has incredible concentration and depth. Lastly, unlike many California wines this is built to last and could easily be cellared first another 10 years. Beautiful!
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2/14/2019 - npettit wrote: 91 Points
Did not open up at all.
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12/15/2018 - brigcampbell wrote:
Laurie says "nonsense" she's not drinking anymore dirty old wines and drags this up from the cellar. You know this is good. It did not disappoint. Deep, dark and powerful. Mocha, prickly tannins, coffee, cassis, and very concentrated. Memorable wine.
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11/11/2018 - Mark H. LeQuire wrote: 98 Points
Very, very deserving of its rating. No flaws. Perfect. No sediment. Moderate rim variation. Dark, dark ruby garnet color. Old world nose. Full of dark fruits and florals. Low tannin. Low acid. Medium alcfohol. Long finish. Paired perfectly with grilled hamburgers. So, so ready to drink. And, sadly, our one and only. Enjoy!
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7/10/2018 - buckeye76 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Rich, concentrated fruit, blackberries, currants, black cherries, and plums with licorice and earthiness in the nose and flavor. The 2006 To-Kalon is full bodied with nice complexity, and a long finish.
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9/23/2017 - michael47 wrote: 92 Points
Supper rich jammy and concentrated - almost too much for its own good. So much going on it really was not the best wine for dinner (see note on 2006 Herb Lamb which was first bottle finished).
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10/15/2016 - Bcw1989 wrote: 97 Points
This is fantastic. Great dark color-almost black looking. Lots of fruit on the nose and finish was long lasting-more than a minute long. It seems to not only be holding up for a ten year old wine, but still has many years left to cellar. Just kept getting better and better with a fabulous meal! Clearly was a favorite among our guest at the table. Wish I had more of this vintage from this vineyard!
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8/12/2016 - pjhr Likes this wine: 98 Points
WOW, simply a phenomenal bottle of cab! Layers of blackberry, cassis, vanilla, and spice notes on the nose and layered palate with a killer long finish. Paired well with the cuisine of a Brazilian steakhouse.
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12/9/2015 - D.Callahan Likes this wine: 95 Points
Really excellent wine though it still tasted very young. It has great fruit, plenty of structure and noticeable acidity followed by a mid-long finish. The acidity means that, to me, you need to drink this with a beautiful steak to take full advantage of the experience. It's a terrific wine and a reaffirming reason to buy Schrader Cabs. With time it will probably rise to 97-98 pts. (popped and poured, tasted, then let sit for 45 minutes.)
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7/19/2015 - stconner Likes this wine: 95 Points
Decanted it for 3.5 hours prior to drinking. Very dark wine with a great nose. It is well balanced as it still has great fruit on the mid-palate, but definitely not a fruit bomb, and nice long finish. This wine is drinking great now, but probably still has a long life ahead of itself.
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2/21/2015 - slywka7 Likes this wine: 96 Points
To Kalon Night at Collyer Catering (Collyer Catering): While the 05 Schrader and Continuum were very similar, the 06 Schrader deviated from those two. The nose had coconut, blackberry, currant, yogurt and a hint of vanilla. Just a very interesting nose, perhaps the best of the night. The palate on this was also impressive with flavors of cherry, blackberry, currant and earth. Finish lasted about 40-45 seconds and lingered on the palate showing extra nuances.
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5/18/2012 - Headcrkr wrote: 99 Points
Phenomenal wine. One of the best cabs I've ever had. Intense berry aroma. Long, delicious finish.
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5/5/2012 - tgkswine wrote: 97 Points
Decided to open the first of my '06 Schrader's and this was it.
Opened and decanted about an hour before the first taste. A deep ruby red and a melodic nose of slightly sweet dark fruit highlighted by blackberry and boysenberry. A creamy vanilla ties everything together and there is so much going on but it integrates into a very harmonic drinking experinece. Mid-palate I tasted cocoa laced with slight mineralty and tobaco. The mouthfeel is wonderfully lush and the finish went on and on. I loved this wine in every respect alhough it still seems not to have reached anywhere near its peak. I think another two years would help what is already a great drinkng experience.
Also being drunk alongside was an '04 Kapcsandy that is a little mellower from a fruitiness standpoint but equally adept at tying things together. These wines are different but equally enjoyable. The difference may simply be the youth of the Schrader but we all slightly leaned toward the Kapcsandy.
These two followed a pair of stupendous '89 Beaucastel C du P's including a Homage that was the highlight of the night. When I rate theSchrader Beck To Kalon a 97 and it was third on my ovreall list it speaks to the stunning wine being poured last night.
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4/3/2012 - wittkoje wrote: 97 Points
Wow. This lived up to the hype. Decanted 6 hours, consumed over 3 hours. Beautiful nose, long elegant palate. Not too dense or too modern. Loved it.
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4/2/2012 - Frank Murray III wrote:
I tasted this alongside the 2008 and this 2006 just outdid it. There is tannin here, sweet dark berry, the wine is round and yet juicy. Has a brewed coffee note and terrific length. The youth in this wine still shows and I think, like the 2002, this will be a good ager. My notes have this starred in the margin as I really enjoyed this bottle.
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3/1/2012 - tp096255 wrote: 94 Points
---
COLOR: Opaque garnet with medium ruby rim
NOTE: All of the Schrader '06 are rich and dense thus far, but not opulent. That keeps them below my 95+ range. Nose here is slightly hot plum pudding, cherry pipe tobacco, 60% dark chocolate, ground espresso, cracked black pepper. Mouth is decadently rich with boysenberry liqueur, kirsch, melted dark chocolate-raspberry bar. 60+ second finish starts off hot but brings in a great pebble/mineral element. It has my "blackberry/raspberry syrup drizzled on hot cracked granite" element that I find in most Schrader Cabs. The finish lilts off into mocha and dark cocoa powder. Lovely as expected. Had some the next day and it was just as beautiful. Both days I tried it in a regular Riedel stem side-by-side with the somm stem and the somm series won! It takes a big Cab to fill that 32 oz bowl!
DECANT: 1-5 hours.
GLASS USED: Bordeaux - Riedel sommelier series (yeah, the big daddy!)
TASTE: 9.4-
OTHER:
COST: 130
VALUE: 7.1
PREVIOUSLY TASTED: n/a
TRY AGAIN: now - 2018
PAIRING: n/a
Inquiries can be addressed to troypeterson@usa.net
---
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1/1/2012 - King Cab wrote: 93 Points
Nose of warm spicy cassis with blackberries and cardamom. Palate is fully rounded with nary a rough edge to be felt. This has pure black/red fruits of currant, blackberries and dark plum skin. It certainly is a plushy styled Napa Cab that has a lot to give: It’s fragrant, pure, precise and slightly ‘fat’. Hints of cinnamon, cedar, vanilla and tea leaf are present. It stays consistent with its guile and poise. Mouthfeel is round and large boned, but those bones are masked under walls of fruit and goodness. Long and precise, this is a schnizzle of a drop, if I had to want for anything, it would be a little more structure and 'complication'.
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8/15/2011 - J-Sho wrote: 95 Points
Dark in color with multi-tiered nose consisting of dark currant and cassis surrounded by some minerality/earth. + some oak and toasty notes as well. Structured and somewhat taut on the palate due to the tannins (a consistent note with many of the Cali 2006's). Great complexity and finish. I would recommend decanting for a couple hours prior to drinking or cellaring for another 2-3 years.
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7/15/2011 - gargyle wrote: 100 Points
Drank alongside Harlan 2006. The party of four thought this was better. One of the best cabs I have ever had.
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6/2/2011 - spendergast wrote: 100 Points
A beautiful wine with concentrated fruit and perfect balance.
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2/26/2011 - last chance wrote: 96 Points
Blind CA Cult Cab Tasting (Snohomish, WA): Tasted blind. (Group's #2 (my #1)) – 3 first place votes, 2 second place votes, 5 third place votes, 2 tasters dropped out for this flight – The nose had aromas of cassis, cherry and chocolate. The palate had very rich blackberry flavors with notes of toast and sweet oak. This was slightly different than the other Schraders that I have tasted to date, but it was still a beautiful bottle of Cabernet. I did find it interesting that all 3 of the 1st place votes came from the guys at the tasting that are already on the Schrader list...
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2/8/2011 - Scooter wrote: 96 Points
Deep color and was really rich from the get go. Went well with everyone's steak dinner. This is ready now.
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12/22/2010 - dionysis wrote: 97 Points
The wine of the holidays for us -- lives up to the hype, and this is not even one of the most "hyped" bottlings. Just a blockbuster with layer upon layer of different flavors emerging throughout the evening. I bet this would have been even better with more time in the glass to open up, but none of us could resist drinking it!
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12/17/2010 - KenK wrote: 96 Points
Naples Annual Boys Lunch: Dark sweet toasty nose showing rich chocolate covered red berries.
Soft rich and purely decedent. Sweet ripe and concentrated red lush fruit. Purity of fruit, elegant. Sweet, yet balanced. 96
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11/29/2010 - Bobc7had Likes this wine: 90 Points
Needs more time.
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2/28/2010 - idrinkvino wrote: 96 Points
Powerful cab, with plenty of fruit roiling beneith the powderkeg surface. Really stood out when compared with other serious Napa cabs, making alternative big names look weak.
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1/5/2010 - bleedvino wrote: 100 Points
Perhaps best California wine I've ever had. Kudos to those involved with making these wines.....TRB.
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7/19/2009 - iamandyc wrote: 89 Points
Young but liked it. Deep and more complex than the Cedar Knoll Cab. Some tannins and acid. Not quite in total balance ut very tasty especially the next day.
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3/23/2009 - Cheryl wrote:
Made to be the flagship. Nice, but the other Schraders blow this away.
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2/8/2009 - B Paul wrote: 96 Points
This wine is amazing! Big and powerful but also smooth and polished. I imagine this will improve over the next few years but I don't feel like we committed infanticide by opening it now as it was very enjoyable. 96+ pts.
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10/13/2007 - Paul Lin wrote: 94 Points
Outpost Winery (Howel Mountain, CA): Tasted from the barrel. A blockbuster wine already. Generous and opulent notes of ripe black cherries, plum, red currants, mocha, and caramel. Flashy and decadent and a real joy to drink. 94-95 points.
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