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2009 Schrader Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard - USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville (11/26/2014)
Popped and poured at BienTrucha - a Mexican Restaurant recommended by Chris Freemott in Geneva, Illinois. Not the best place to drink it, big clunky “O” type glasses, and too much aroma in the room, but we were celebrating my brother-in-law’s elevation to a big fancy schmancy position at a major Ivy League University and I promised to bring something really good. This wine was absolutely exceptional despite all the bad conditions. Surprisingly integrated for its age. Lovely fruit but not a fruit bomb - but YMMV because it is a Thomas Rivers Brown, after all. Red fruit, ZERO harsh tannins, deep meaty flavor with something that might have been chocolate, might have been coffee, might have been who knows what, but definitely OUTSTANDING/EXCEPTIONAL. This was the first Schrader I was offered after time on the waiting list and unfortunately I only got one of them, but if this was so good, I can only imagine what the RBS in the same box will taste like, let alone the 2012 CCS that I got a few weeks ago.
As to those who think this was infanticide or a bad venue to drink such a wine, and who wonder about drinking a bottle of wine with a cost greater than the bill for the entire meal, with tip, for five people . . . enjoy it while you can and sometimes it’s fun not to over-intellectualize the wine. PS - the restaurant was excellent and I recommend it highly. (95 pts.)
Posted from CellarTracker