2012 schrader, assortment case, california
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Why We're Buying
Six wines. All cabernet sauvignons. All magnificent. This Schrader assortment offers a collection of Fred Schrader's finest wines in one place. It features the best of his two Beckstoffer vineyards, with each cabernet offering a unique take on the terroir. According to Wine-Searcher.com, the interest in this assortment case has skyrocketed since April 2020.
Critics Scores
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Beckstoffer To Kalon - Nearly as prodigious is the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer to Kalon Vineyard, which is Clone 4 and Clone 6 blended together from the Beckstoffer to Kalon Vineyard, this is the highest in alcohol of the 2012s at 14.6%. It was aged in a combination of 50% new Darnajou and 50% new Taransaud barrels. This wine is one of the tighter, more backward of the 2012s, with more structure, tannin, muscle, a masculine personality, oodles of black and blue fruits and a massive mouthfeel, but is somehow much more primary and younger tasting than the other wines. Forget it for a few years and drink it over the following 20-25 years.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
LPV - The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard LPV is black/ruby, shows lots of charcoal, scorched earth and an almost Graves-on-steroids personality. Deep blueberry and blackberry fruit, a hint of coffee and chocolate are all present in this impressive, very different style of Cabernet Sauvignon from Schrader. This is Clone 337, planted in a St. Helena vineyard.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
GIII - The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard, from this famous vineyard in Rutherford, is made from Cabernet Sauvignon Clone 337, and 90% new Darnajou and 10% new Taransaud was used. One of the smaller cuveés, the wine has great intensity, with chocolaty cassis notes, fruitcake and forest floor along with licorice and spice. This is a big full-bodied, powerful, rich, yet accessible style of wine, as most 2012s tend to be. Drink it over the next 15-20 years.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
RBS - The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard RBS, which is also from Clone 337 but from different blocks on the Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard, saw oak with 90% new Darnajou and 10% new Taransaud. This wine seems slightly more expansive, shares the black ruby/purple color with all of it siblings, and has a boatload of crème de cassis, incense, licorice, graphite and vanilla along with plenty of spice box and forest floor. This is a killer, full-bodied, super-duper, opulent Cabernet Sauvignon to drink over the next 20 years.
Wine Spectator
Beckstoffer To Kalon - Very tight, with a beam of spice-laced blackberry, currant, dried herb and jazzy oak. The laser focus is most evident on the finish, which slowly unravels to highlight this wine's density, elegance and grace. The flavors reverberate in the end. Best from 2017 through 2023. 200 cases made.
James Suckling
RBS - A big and rich wine with blueberry, spice and green coffee bean. Full body, chewy tannins and a fresh finish. Very extracted. Yet intense and rich. Better in 2017.
James Suckling
CCS - This is very rich and bright with loads of fruit and spice character. Some fresh berry too. Full-bodied, very firm and chewy, yet bright and intense. Muscular and powerful. A beauty. Better in 2018.
Wine Spectator
RBS - Taut, detailed and tightly wound, with a firm band of cedar, herb, green olive and gravelly earth, accented by dark berry and cedary oak. Tasted twice with consistent notes. Drink now through 2026. 625 cases made.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
T6 - The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard T6, which is from Clone 6 in a different block of Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard, is aged in 86% new Darnajou and 14% new Taransaud. This wine is not terribly different, but Clone 6 is believed to be old Bordeaux clones brought over to Napa Valley and propagated. The wine has terrific fruit intensity, blackcurrants, blackberry, licorice, creosote and espresso roast. Deep, full-bodied, powerful and rich, this, again, shows the vintage’s voluptuous texture, full-bodied power and richness.
Vinous
RBS - The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon RBS Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard is another wine endowed with fabulous overall balance. Hints of blueberry pie, jam, mocha, sweet spices, violets and lavender open up in the glass. Even with all of its obvious intensity, there is a translucence and weightlessness to the 2012 that is utterly mesmerizing. The RBS is rich and powerful, but never heavy. Schrader's RBS is Clone 337 Cabernet, which often yields perfumed, supple Cabernets.
Wine Spectator
T6 - Steadily builds from a tight, rich core of mocha-laced currant and blackberry to a broader, more expansive mix that folds in creamy, toasty, mocha-laced oak, unfolding to reveal tiers of flavor and nuance. Drink now through 2030.
Wine Spectator
CCS - While big and chewy, this offers an intriguing mix of dark berry, plum and black cherry, shaded by black licorice, cedar and berry jam on the finish. The flavors push through gracefully on the finish. Best from 2016 through 2029.
James Suckling
LPV - A very rich and dense red with blueberry and chocolate character. Full-bodied, very silky and refined. Wonderful depth and length. Held back and pretty. Elegance and beauty for a Schrader. Better in 2017.
Wine Spectator
LPV - Starts out bold and assertive, with rich dark berry, cedar and nutmeg flavors, revealing touches of espresso, mocha and melted black licorice. Well-built, tight and persistent, this will benefit from short-term cellaring. Best from 2017 through 2029.
Wine Spectator
GIII - Bold, rich and focused on a core of blackberry, currant, plum and spicy, cedary oak. Gains a dusty, loamy textural nuance and ends a bit trim, without losing its potent personality. Best from 2017 through 2022.