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

WA100
For some reason I have a sweet spot for Schrader’s 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon CCS, which, like the 2007, merits a perfect rating. That should set up some very interesting competitive tastings in the future. Made from a particular block of Clone 4 planted in the Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard, there is something just broader, deeper, more multidimensional and more subtle without losing any of the great intensity, purity and richness these wines possess that gives the CCS an amazing character. Keep in mind, as my editor pointed out to me, this is the third straight vintage of this cuvee to merit a perfect score, which must be the first of its kind in 32 years of critiquing wines. Blueberry pie intermixed with creme de cassis, licorice, subtle oak and forest floor notes are followed by an extraordinary wine of staggering richness, luxurious fruit and seamlessness. This is the kind of wine that simply has it all, and I think it could easily be inserted in a tasting against the greatest first-growth Bordeaux or any other profound Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa or elsewhere and hold its own, if not dominate the tasting. There is a remarkable character to this wine that will be fascinating to follow over the next 25-30 years.

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