Colesworthy Beckstoffer Las Piedras Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 - Schrader (CBO, magnum, .1.5 L)

Colesworthy Beckstoffer Las Piedras Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 — Schrader Cellars

This Colesworthy Beckstoffer Las Piedras Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 from Schrader Cellars, offered here in magnum 1.5 L in original wooden case, is a rare cuvée from the famous Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard in St. Helena. Selected from the finest lots of the vineyard, it expresses a Napa Cabernet Sauvignon of great intensity, at once opulent, mineral and remarkably structured: cassis, blackberry, black cherry, black fruits, graphite, crushed stone, pencil shavings, vanilla, cocoa, cedar, liquorice and a long spicy finish.

The Colesworthy cuvée pays tribute to Carol Colesworthy Schrader and represents one of the most confidential expressions of Schrader Cellars. Produced in very limited quantities, it highlights the depth and stony signature of Las Piedras, a terroir renowned for producing dense, dark Cabernets strongly marked by graphite. The 2016 vintage, particularly successful in Napa Valley, brings balance, purity, ripeness and tension to this naturally powerful cuvée.

Terroir: Beckstoffer Las Piedras, ancient stones and the power of St. Helena

Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard is located in St. Helena, at the heart of Napa Valley. Its name, “Las Piedras”, evokes the strong presence of stones in the soil. This historic vineyard is renowned for its very stony, well-draining and poor soils, which naturally limit vine vigour and promote high grape concentration. Cabernet Sauvignon here gives dark, intense and spicy wines, strongly marked by a sensation of stone, graphite and minerality.

At Schrader, Colesworthy comes from a rigorous selection of the most remarkable lots from Las Piedras, with a very precise expression of Cabernet Sauvignon. Ageing in new French oak brings richness, texture, vanilla and depth, while the terroir preserves a highly recognisable stony identity: cassis, blackberry, black fruits, graphite, pencil shavings, crushed stone, cedar, blond tobacco and mineral freshness on the finish.

Tasting notes

Appearance: deep purple with garnet and black reflections, dense, opaque and bright. In magnum, the colour should preserve its intensity, youthfulness and dark brilliance for a long time, with slower evolution than in a standard bottle.

Nose: opulent, deep and highly expressive, with cassis, ripe blackberry, black cherry, black fruits, dark berries, vanilla, graphite, pencil shavings, crushed stone and cedar. With aeration, nuances of cocoa, mocha, blond tobacco, liquorice, sweet spices, warm earth, black mint and noble oak may appear.

Palate: full, rich, velvety and highly concentrated, with a broad entry of ripe black fruit, cassis, blackberry and black cherry. The substance is powerful yet polished, supported by dense tannins, luxurious oak ageing and stony minerality that gives the wine poise. The finish is long, deep and persistent, on graphite, crushed stone, black fruits, vanilla, cedar, liquorice and spices.

Expression of the 2016 vintage

The 2016 vintage in Napa Valley is widely recognised for its balance between ripeness, concentration, freshness and structure. In Colesworthy, this year gives a version that is more harmonious and precise than simply massive: the black fruit is intense, the texture is generous, yet the minerality of Las Piedras and the quality of the tannins bring definition, length and energy. The wine combines Californian opulence with a clear sensation of stony terroir.

Today, this Colesworthy 2016 in magnum remains young in its evolution and has excellent ageing potential. It can already impress after careful aeration, but the large format will allow it to gain further complexity: cedar, tobacco, fine leather, cocoa, graphite, forest floor, melted spices, black mint and mineral nuances should gradually join the depth of black fruit.