2023 Schrader Heritage Clone
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Tasting notes
From an older Mondavi clone and sporting a dense purple hue, the virtually perfect 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Heritage Clone shows a serious, incredibly impressive style in its ripe black fruits, exotic flowers, spicy wood, iron, and complex aromatics that emerge from the glass. It's a singular, exotic expression of Cabernet Sauvignon that's full-bodied and concentrated, with ripe tannins, remarkable purity and finesse, and that rare mix of power and elegance. With only 276 cases produced, it will keep for 30 years or more. Drink 2025-2055.
Critic scores
Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
The 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon To Kalon Vineyard Heritage Clone is slightly more floral and inky, with a deep purple hue and sensational blue fruit, liquid rock-like minerality, and notes of crushed violets and incense. Full-bodied, deep, and massively structured, with a great finish, it's another flat-out awesome wine in this lineup. Thomas commented that this will most likely form the base of the Old Sparky release.
Super intense, concentrated, tannic and reserved, with massive tannins and deep, dark blueberry, black currant, cocoa and graphite flavors. At once explosive in flavor and also held back by the structure, a situation that will be great for long-term development. Black olive, oak char, tobacco leaf, iron and cedar flavors expand on the palate. Made from a low-yielding clone of cabernet isolated on the Mondavi To Kalon property in 1989. Long, rather tight finish at this stage. Best from 2035.
Clone 31 isn't a very common choice these days, because of its small yields, but perhaps that's part of what makes Schrader's 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Heritage Clone To Kalon Vineyard so darn good. Scents of dried spices and dusty loam accent black cherries and even a hint of something more exotic, like stone fruit. This stunner is full-bodied and supple, with a silky, dusty feel, lovely texture and weight and a balanced, vibrant and long finish. Am I underestimating it?