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Schrader Cellars

33 notes Sort by: Vintage - Name - Rating

2014
97
Deeply colored, the wine is full-bodied, concentrated, opulent, sweet and rich. From the get-go, the layers of ripe, flamboyant, black, red and blue fruits deliver their essence along with copious amounts of licorice, chocolate, vanilla and spicy nuances on the nose and in the long, fruit-packed finish.

Deeply colored, the wine is full-bodied, concentrated, opulent, sweet and rich. From the get-go, the layers of ripe, flamboyant, black, red and blue fruits deliver their essence along with copious amounts of licorice, chocolate, vanilla and spicy nuances on the nose and in the long, fruit-packed finish.

3,301 Views   Tasted
2013
97
2013 is the vintage to buy for Schrader. Every wine has been a stunner and this was no exception. Inky in color, concentrated, fleshy, flashy and full of ripe black and blue fruits, cherries, cocoa, smoke and licorice, the wine fills your palate and ends with a long, sensuous, fruit filled finish.

2013 is the vintage to buy for Schrader. Every wine has been a stunner and this was no exception. Inky in color, concentrated, fleshy, flashy and full of ripe black and blue fruits, cherries, cocoa, smoke and licorice, the wine fills your palate and ends with a long, sensuous, fruit filled finish.

4,294 Views   Tasted
Good color, with licorice, espresso bean, truffle and sweet, ripe, black with blue fruit in the nose and on the silky, rich, fleshy palate.

Good color, with licorice, espresso bean, truffle and sweet, ripe, black with blue fruit in the nose and on the silky, rich, fleshy palate.

2,795 Views   Tasted
2013
95
Dark in hue, the wine is tight and needs coaxing to wake it up. On the palate the wine is lush, fat, ripe, deep, round and loaded with ripe, dark red and blue fruits.

Dark in hue, the wine is tight and needs coaxing to wake it up. On the palate the wine is lush, fat, ripe, deep, round and loaded with ripe, dark red and blue fruits.

5,119 Views   Tasted
2013
97
Packed and stacked with layers of dense, intense, incredibly ripe, black and fruits that manages to remain balanced, fresh, complex and exuberant. I like how this is showing today, but holding it for more softness and aromatic development is not going to be a problem either.

Packed and stacked with layers of dense, intense, incredibly ripe, black and fruits that manages to remain balanced, fresh, complex and exuberant. I like how this is showing today, but holding it for more softness and aromatic development is not going to be a problem either.

5,295 Views   Tasted
The second time I've had this stunner recently and it reminded why I liked it so much the first time. It offers great density of raw materials, a boat load of sweet, fat, pure fruits and silky tannins galore. This is a beauty!

The second time I've had this stunner recently and it reminded why I liked it so much the first time. It offers great density of raw materials, a boat load of sweet, fat, pure fruits and silky tannins galore. This is a beauty!

6,243 Views   Tasted
Inky in color, thick, fat, rich, ripe, opulent and ostentatious, the wine serves up an incredible wealth of flashy, fleshy fruit, yet everything is in balance and harmony. The purity of fruit in the cassis and blackberry finish is almost off the charts!

Inky in color, thick, fat, rich, ripe, opulent and ostentatious, the wine serves up an incredible wealth of flashy, fleshy fruit, yet everything is in balance and harmony. The purity of fruit in the cassis and blackberry finish is almost off the charts!

6,788 Views   Tasted
2013
100
Just stunning in every sense of the word. Still inky dark in color, the wine is opulent, silky, sexy, lush and pure. Concentrated, balanced and energetic, the texture is polished velvet and the fruit tastes as good as it feels. It's a knockout wine! The last time I tasted this was in 2016 and I noted it could eventually hit triple digits. Today, I no longer wonder as this is so above and beyond, it deserves 100 Pts.

Just stunning in every sense of the word. Still inky dark in color, the wine is opulent, silky, sexy, lush and pure. Concentrated, balanced and energetic, the texture is polished velvet and the fruit tastes as good as it feels. It's a knockout wine! The last time I tasted this was in 2016 and I noted it could eventually hit triple digits. Today, I no longer wonder as this is so above and beyond, it deserves 100 Pts.

4,308 Views   Tasted
Opaque in color, the inky black, purple is something to marvel at. Pure silk and velvet, with stunning levels of concentration, opulence and length. On the palate, the wine reminds me of molten essence of fruit. This could hit triple digits in time. It's a knockout wine!

Opaque in color, the inky black, purple is something to marvel at. Pure silk and velvet, with stunning levels of concentration, opulence and length. On the palate, the wine reminds me of molten essence of fruit. This could hit triple digits in time. It's a knockout wine!

4,297 Views   Tasted
2013
99
Filled with smoke, black cherry liqueur, underbrush, thyme and waves of ripe, juicy, fat fruits and freshness that leaves you wanting another pour before your glass has even been emptied. How they get this much balance and acidity in a wine with such high levels of sugar, ABV and ripeness is a mystery.

Filled with smoke, black cherry liqueur, underbrush, thyme and waves of ripe, juicy, fat fruits and freshness that leaves you wanting another pour before your glass has even been emptied. How they get this much balance and acidity in a wine with such high levels of sugar, ABV and ripeness is a mystery.

4,024 Views   Tasted
2013
100
Speechless is one way of looking at it. Opaque in color, light might reflect off this wine, but it's not getting through. The intoxicating perfume is all about the truffle, smoke, black cherry liqueur, blue fruits and wet earth notes. The texture is polished velvet, with the weight of motor oil and a fruit filled finish that remains for more than 60 seconds. This is a benchmark style of Cabernet Sauvignon.

Speechless is one way of looking at it. Opaque in color, light might reflect off this wine, but it's not getting through. The intoxicating perfume is all about the truffle, smoke, black cherry liqueur, blue fruits and wet earth notes. The texture is polished velvet, with the weight of motor oil and a fruit filled finish that remains for more than 60 seconds. This is a benchmark style of Cabernet Sauvignon.

8,254 Views   Tasted
2013
100
Off the hook, off the charts, either way you put it, this wine is insane. The black, purple colored juice stains your palate. The molten fruits are more than intense. The texture is polished, lush, velvety and sexy, yet there is an obvious beauty, balance and sense of purity to the wine, it's impossible not to be wishing you had some of this elixir in your cellar.

Off the hook, off the charts, either way you put it, this wine is insane. The black, purple colored juice stains your palate. The molten fruits are more than intense. The texture is polished, lush, velvety and sexy, yet there is an obvious beauty, balance and sense of purity to the wine, it's impossible not to be wishing you had some of this elixir in your cellar.

5,715 Views   Tasted
2013
100
The perfect blend of amazing power, elegance, restraint and a boatload of concentrated, perfectly ripe, silky textured fruits. The wine coats your mouth, teeth, gums and palate with flavor, and yet, the opulence never takes over its elegance. This is my style of Cabernet Sauvignon.

The perfect blend of amazing power, elegance, restraint and a boatload of concentrated, perfectly ripe, silky textured fruits. The wine coats your mouth, teeth, gums and palate with flavor, and yet, the opulence never takes over its elegance. This is my style of Cabernet Sauvignon.

8,413 Views   Tasted
2013
97
Showing just great right out of the bottle, the wine is full-bodied, rich, opulent and lusciously textured. The perfectly ripe, black, red and blue fruits are vibrant, opulent, sweet and fresh, ending with black cherry liqueur, chocolate and licorice notes. While this is clearly on the ripe, powerful side, everything is in balance and harmony, making this quite easy to imbibe.

Showing just great right out of the bottle, the wine is full-bodied, rich, opulent and lusciously textured. The perfectly ripe, black, red and blue fruits are vibrant, opulent, sweet and fresh, ending with black cherry liqueur, chocolate and licorice notes. While this is clearly on the ripe, powerful side, everything is in balance and harmony, making this quite easy to imbibe.

4,267 Views   Tasted
2012
95
Strangely, this has more acidity and freshness, along with a lighter touch than the otherworldly 2013. While the wine has loads of deep, rich, sweet dark berries, the vibrant, chocolate covered boysenberry finish is the best part of the experience.

Strangely, this has more acidity and freshness, along with a lighter touch than the otherworldly 2013. While the wine has loads of deep, rich, sweet dark berries, the vibrant, chocolate covered boysenberry finish is the best part of the experience.

3,199 Views   Tasted
2012
99
My second time tasting this stunner. The striking color is inky, with deep purple and black accents. The wine shows off a mineral driven side, complicated by wet earth, cigar wrapper, dark chocolate and fresh boysenberries. Rich, concentrated, long and packed and stacked with layer after layer of sweet, ripe, dark fruits, the wine builds in intensity of flavor as the silky, velvet drenched fruits linger in the finish.

My second time tasting this stunner. The striking color is inky, with deep purple and black accents. The wine shows off a mineral driven side, complicated by wet earth, cigar wrapper, dark chocolate and fresh boysenberries. Rich, concentrated, long and packed and stacked with layer after layer of sweet, ripe, dark fruits, the wine builds in intensity of flavor as the silky, velvet drenched fruits linger in the finish.

5,413 Views   Tasted
Stunning in every sense of the word! This is pure, liquid velvet that coats your mouth with layers of sweet, juicy, ripe, plush, fresh, vibrant fruit. The wine is rich, deep, concentrated and powerful, yet perfectly balanced, leaving you with a finish that lingers.

Stunning in every sense of the word! This is pure, liquid velvet that coats your mouth with layers of sweet, juicy, ripe, plush, fresh, vibrant fruit. The wine is rich, deep, concentrated and powerful, yet perfectly balanced, leaving you with a finish that lingers.

6,537 Views   Tasted
2012
97
Mouthfilling, fleshy and flashy, with layers of opulently textured, sweet lush fruits, silky tannins and a long, ripe, black and blue fruit filled finish. While quite young, this is already a stylish treat to enjoy.

Mouthfilling, fleshy and flashy, with layers of opulently textured, sweet lush fruits, silky tannins and a long, ripe, black and blue fruit filled finish. While quite young, this is already a stylish treat to enjoy.

4,849 Views   Tasted
2011
93
Given the reputation of the difficult, 2011 vintage, I was not expecting a wine with this much richness, plush, ripe tannins and concentration, but that is what you get when you cull your yields down to 3/4 a ton per acre. The wine delivers a blast of sweet, black and blue fruits, licorice, espresso and chocolate covered berries in every sniff, swirl and sip.

Given the reputation of the difficult, 2011 vintage, I was not expecting a wine with this much richness, plush, ripe tannins and concentration, but that is what you get when you cull your yields down to 3/4 a ton per acre. The wine delivers a blast of sweet, black and blue fruits, licorice, espresso and chocolate covered berries in every sniff, swirl and sip.

2,694 Views   Tasted
2010
98
This is a rock star expression of California Cabernet Sauvignon. The show nose, with its fresh flowers, blackberry liqueur, blueberry, espresso, vanilla, licorice, lead pencil and spice was sublime. And that was not the best part of the experience which came once the layers of fat, opulent, velvet drenched, polished, pure sweet fruits hit you palate! The purity of fruit and silky textures really make this wine stand out.

This is a rock star expression of California Cabernet Sauvignon. The show nose, with its fresh flowers, blackberry liqueur, blueberry, espresso, vanilla, licorice, lead pencil and spice was sublime. And that was not the best part of the experience which came once the layers of fat, opulent, velvet drenched, polished, pure sweet fruits hit you palate! The purity of fruit and silky textures really make this wine stand out.

3,867 Views   Tasted
2010
94
While it lacks to concentration of the best years, the ample levels of ripe, round, sweet black and blue fruits is quite stylish. The textures are polished, round and sensuous, ending with ripe black cherries, chocolate covered coffee beans and jam

While it lacks to concentration of the best years, the ample levels of ripe, round, sweet black and blue fruits is quite stylish. The textures are polished, round and sensuous, ending with ripe black cherries, chocolate covered coffee beans and jam

2,363 Views   Tasted
2010
96
Lavishly oaked, with a blast of sweet, jammy, black cherries, licorice, vanilla and smoke, soft, smooth, sensuous textures and a long fruit finish.

Lavishly oaked, with a blast of sweet, jammy, black cherries, licorice, vanilla and smoke, soft, smooth, sensuous textures and a long fruit finish.

2,416 Views   Tasted
2009
96
Showy nose of black and blue fruit with smoke. licorice, toast, licorice and candied berries. Rich, fat and dense, but not overbearing. The fruit is lush, concentrated, sweet and fresh, with a long, fruit-filled flamboyant finish. Popped and poured, not sure it needs decanting. This is drinking great right now. If you have a bottle, why wait?

Showy nose of black and blue fruit with smoke. licorice, toast, licorice and candied berries. Rich, fat and dense, but not overbearing. The fruit is lush, concentrated, sweet and fresh, with a long, fruit-filled flamboyant finish. Popped and poured, not sure it needs decanting. This is drinking great right now. If you have a bottle, why wait?

3,379 Views   Tasted
2009
96
Polished, silky, lush and rich, with layers of ripe, sweet, juicy black and blue fruits, licorice, espresso, vanilla and smoke. Deeply colored, with fat, polished textures, this is showing well today.

Polished, silky, lush and rich, with layers of ripe, sweet, juicy black and blue fruits, licorice, espresso, vanilla and smoke. Deeply colored, with fat, polished textures, this is showing well today.

4,255 Views   Tasted
2009
95
Black cherry, licorice, jam, blue fruit and chocolate work well the massive, balanced wall of ripe chocolate covered fruit. Suave and sophisticated, this forward styled wine is already drinking well.

Black cherry, licorice, jam, blue fruit and chocolate work well the massive, balanced wall of ripe chocolate covered fruit. Suave and sophisticated, this forward styled wine is already drinking well.

5,310 Views   Tasted
2008
96
Massive, palate staining and intense, scents of oak, licorice, smoke, jammy dark berries, incense and blueberry pop from the glass. There is a minor touch of heat in the dense, dark chocolate covered cherry finish.

Massive, palate staining and intense, scents of oak, licorice, smoke, jammy dark berries, incense and blueberry pop from the glass. There is a minor touch of heat in the dense, dark chocolate covered cherry finish.

3,238 Views   Tasted
2008
97
Powerful, concentrated and deeply colored, this wine offers intensity, purity and length There are no hard edges to be found, The wine takes over your palate with layers of ripe, sweet, black and blue fruits There is nothing timid with this wine. Yet, somehow, everything remains balanced. This is still young and vinbrant at ten years of age.

Powerful, concentrated and deeply colored, this wine offers intensity, purity and length There are no hard edges to be found, The wine takes over your palate with layers of ripe, sweet, black and blue fruits There is nothing timid with this wine. Yet, somehow, everything remains balanced. This is still young and vinbrant at ten years of age.

3,276 Views   Tasted
2007
100
If the scale was adjusted for the occasional 101 Pt wine, 2007 Schrader Old Sparky would be a contender to hit that end of the scale! This benchmark California Cabernet Sauvignon kicks in with a floral, black cherry, blue fruit, earth, espresso, smoke and thyme perfume. When the wine hits your palate, that's where it really shines, due to its liqueur like, motor oil weight textures and silky, sensuous finish that goes on well past the 60 second mark. This is pure hedonism at its finest.

If the scale was adjusted for the occasional 101 Pt wine, 2007 Schrader Old Sparky would be a contender to hit that end of the scale! This benchmark California Cabernet Sauvignon kicks in with a floral, black cherry, blue fruit, earth, espresso, smoke and thyme perfume. When the wine hits your palate, that's where it really shines, due to its liqueur like, motor oil weight textures and silky, sensuous finish that goes on well past the 60 second mark. This is pure hedonism at its finest.

6,171 Views   Tasted
2007
97
Inky in color, with dark purple accents, explosive scents of licorice, vanilla, black cherry, truffle, blueberry, jam, smoke and wet earth fill your glass. Powerful, full bodied and concentrated with massive layers of dense, ripe, sweet, black and blue fruits, this California, Cabernet Sauvignon coats your palate with flavor. Intense, yet balanced, packed and stacked, but not quite over the top, there is a lot going on in this stunning wine.

Inky in color, with dark purple accents, explosive scents of licorice, vanilla, black cherry, truffle, blueberry, jam, smoke and wet earth fill your glass. Powerful, full bodied and concentrated with massive layers of dense, ripe, sweet, black and blue fruits, this California, Cabernet Sauvignon coats your palate with flavor. Intense, yet balanced, packed and stacked, but not quite over the top, there is a lot going on in this stunning wine.

4,693 Views   Tasted
2007
96
Developed and ready for primetime drinking with its flashy, mocha, black raspberry, floral, vanilla and coffee filled personality.

Developed and ready for primetime drinking with its flashy, mocha, black raspberry, floral, vanilla and coffee filled personality.

3,767 Views   Tasted
2007
97
A beautiful example of a lush, ripe, fat, sweet, rich, flamboyant, concentrated bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon that has entered its primetime drinking window.

A beautiful example of a lush, ripe, fat, sweet, rich, flamboyant, concentrated bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon that has entered its primetime drinking window.

3,998 Views   Tasted
2006
98
Displaying secondary nuances at 10 years of age, the wine offers a smoke filled, cigar box, black and blue fruit, licorice and truffle aromatic profile. Fresh, silky, concentrated and rich, the wine is complete from start to finish.

Displaying secondary nuances at 10 years of age, the wine offers a smoke filled, cigar box, black and blue fruit, licorice and truffle aromatic profile. Fresh, silky, concentrated and rich, the wine is complete from start to finish.

4,567 Views   Tasted
2006
97
Pitch black in color, with a pungent perfume packed with coffee, vanilla, blackberry jam and sweet, chocolate covered plums with hints of blueberries in the background. This is rich, fat, intense and packed and stacked with layers of dense, ripe dark berries and chocolate. This is a hedonistic style of California Cabernet Sauvignon.

Pitch black in color, with a pungent perfume packed with coffee, vanilla, blackberry jam and sweet, chocolate covered plums with hints of blueberries in the background. This is rich, fat, intense and packed and stacked with layers of dense, ripe dark berries and chocolate. This is a hedonistic style of California Cabernet Sauvignon.

7,817 Views   Tasted
2005
98
Still holding on to its deep color, the wine is lush, fresh and opulent in character. The sweet boysenberries are dripping with dark chocolate, the cherries are more like cherry liqueur and the long, intense finish keeps on going. The wine does not seem to have aged a bit. The only minor drawback is the small touch of heat in the finish.

Still holding on to its deep color, the wine is lush, fresh and opulent in character. The sweet boysenberries are dripping with dark chocolate, the cherries are more like cherry liqueur and the long, intense finish keeps on going. The wine does not seem to have aged a bit. The only minor drawback is the small touch of heat in the finish.

4,574 Views   Tasted
2005
95
Rich, concentrated and lushly textured, it's easy to find the multiple layers of sweet, juicy, ripe, black raspberries, smoke, licorice, coffee bean and jam.

Rich, concentrated and lushly textured, it's easy to find the multiple layers of sweet, juicy, ripe, black raspberries, smoke, licorice, coffee bean and jam.

3,518 Views   Tasted
2004
96
Rich, lush, opulently styled wine, with a blast of licorice, blackberry, jam, dark chocolate and smoke that is truly delivering the goods today.

Rich, lush, opulently styled wine, with a blast of licorice, blackberry, jam, dark chocolate and smoke that is truly delivering the goods today.

3,185 Views   Tasted
2001
95
Finesse style of Cabernet Sauvignon, with a floral, black cherry, smoke, licorice and cocoa character. There is no reason to age this supple wine any longer.

Finesse style of Cabernet Sauvignon, with a floral, black cherry, smoke, licorice and cocoa character. There is no reason to age this supple wine any longer.

3,480 Views   Tasted
The endless layers of deep, rich, ripe, plush black and blue fruit along with the fat, silky textures grabbed your attention and kept it there. This is drinking perfect today.

The endless layers of deep, rich, ripe, plush black and blue fruit along with the fat, silky textures grabbed your attention and kept it there. This is drinking perfect today.

2,661 Views   Tasted
1999
91
From a magnum, this lighter styled Schrader was medium bodied, mature and served up its sweet, fresh, bright, dark red cherry and earthy profile, with ease. This is not a wine that needs decanting or further aging.

From a magnum, this lighter styled Schrader was medium bodied, mature and served up its sweet, fresh, bright, dark red cherry and earthy profile, with ease. This is not a wine that needs decanting or further aging.

2,517 Views   Tasted