Benchmark Wines by

Schrader

The Winery

Schrader Cellars

"Our philosophy is to bring together the finest grape-growing resources available with the brightest talent in winemaking and then let the natural brilliance of this partnership shine through in the wine."
- Fred & Carol Schrader, Proprietors

It all started back in 1988, when Fred attended the Napa Valley Wine Auction with good friend and Christie's auctioneer, Brian Cole. At the time, Fred simply wanted to come out to the valley, have a great time and enjoy fine wines. Twenty years later, in addition to having a great time and enjoying fine wines, Fred produces namesake Cabernets that consistently garner top-ratings from America's most renowned critics.

After his visit to the wine auction, Fred was captivated by the wine business and in soon cofounded the now legendary Colgin-Schrader Cellars and ensconced the husband-and-wife team of Helen Turley and John Wetlaufer at the winemaking helm. In Helen and John, Fred found a stellar team absolutely committed to making the highest quality wines possible.

Following the success of Colgin-Schrader Cellars, Fred founded his namesake Schrader Cellars in 1998 with the finest vineyard resources and winemaking talents available. Today, along with his wife Carol and gifted winemaker Thomas Brown, Fred creates benchmark wines from the Napa Valley's premier vineyard estates. According to Fred, "Every year is a new child. We come out on a yearly basis with both guns blazing, no-holds-barred, to make the purest and finest wines possible. Wines we love to enjoy. That's what makes it so interesting and so exciting."

www.schradercellars.com

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Tasting Notes

WA95
A selection of the best barrels of this wine, representing only 110 cases or basically 41/2 barrels, is the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard Colesworthy. This is largely Clone 337, aged 20 months in 100% new Darnajou. This is deep, rich, full, backward and not quite as easy to access as its sibling, although at some point the Schraders and Thomas Brown thought these were the best barrels from Las Piedras. It seems to share much of its siblings opaque purple color, lots of coffee, blackberry and cassis fruit, charcoal and graphite, but seems to also require more bottle age to round into shape. Forget it for 3-4 years and drink it over the following 20-25 years.
WS94
Notably elegant, with complex aromas of rich dark berry, shaded by dusty dried herb and cedar notes, all supported by firm, finegrained tannins. Gains depth and persistence, gliding along on the finish. Best from 2017 through 2032.

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