2015 Schrader, Colesworthy Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

Lastly, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard Colesworthy is a barrel selection from the Las Piedras Vineyard in St. Helena. It takes the classic LPV release and ratchets up the intensity without any additional sense of weight or heaviness. With incredible cassis, liquid violets, white flowers, and a distinct earthy, loamy minerality, this beauty has insane purity of fruit, a huge, layered, full-bodied style on the palate, sweet tannin, and a blockbuster finish. Don’t miss it! While recently purchased by the massive Constellation Brands conglomerate, it appears nothing has changed at Schrader, with Thomas Rivers Brown staying in place and no change in vineyard sources. These 2015s and 2016s all check in near the top of these great vintages and shows the complexity, elegance, and purity, as well as richness, that’s the hallmark of the estate. Hat’s off to Brown for these sensational wines.

Coming from the Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard, block C that is planted to clone 337, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard Colesworthy has a very deep purple-black color and incredibly primary nose of blackcurrant cordial, blueberry pie and preserved plums with wafts of licorice, charcoal, mulberries and baking spices plus a hint of red roses. Medium to full-bodied, very firm and very finely crafted, the palate features wonderfully ripe tannins and great freshness, harnessing the bold, primary flavors and restraining the very long, very youthful finish. 128 cases produced.