Pale straw color; green apple, key lime, Meyer lemon, citrus rind, white peach, pineapple, jasmine on the nose and palate.
Dry; minimal tannic influence; balancing acidity. Medium-plus body. Blend of 80% sauvignon blanc, 20% semillon from the famed To Kalon Vineyard in Oakville and Wappo Hill Vineyard in the Stags Leap District. Cool, foggy mornings and sunny afternoons deliver a wine with balance and vibrancy. This is the second vintage of the only white wine made by Schrader Cellars. 14.5% ABV
Made by star winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown. During his 20-plus years at Schrader, Brown has delivered more than 27 perfect 100 point scores. Double Diamond is not in that rarified atmosphere, but it easily scores in the 90s if you are into wine scores. Grapes are hand-harvested. After fermentation in stainless steel, the wine spends 10 months in 11% new and 5% used French oak and 84% stainless steel barrels. There is no malolactic conversion in order to keep the focus on the outstanding fruit. The inclusion of semillon brings this much closer to a white Bordeaux experience rather than cutting acidity and grassiness of a New Zealand offering.
Schrader is a happenstance operation. The website notes: “In 1988, Fred Schrader was a thriving dealer in the world of art and antiques when his good friend and Christie’s auctioneer, Brian Cole, invited him to the Napa Valley Wine Auction, a newly formed charity event. A lover of wine and adventure, Fred happily accepted the invitation and soon found himself enjoying delicious wines while spending time with some of the valley’s most notable founders. Amazingly, this weekend getaway evolved into a 25-year love affair with the Napa Valley as well as launched his career in the wine industry.” This continued until Constellation Brands purchased Schrader Cellars in 2017.
The website notes: “Originally planted by pioneer Hamilton Crabb in 1868, To Kalon—meaning ‘highest beauty’ in Greek—is a noble first growth estate in Oakville that has established itself as the preeminent source of Napa Valley’s finest grapes. The vineyard is defined by its high mineral content and exceptional drainage, offering optimal north-south sun exposure by day with cool coastal breezes at night that we feel is the ideal environment for growing our Cabernet Sauvignon.”
The 2023 vintage was special in Napa. The website describes the vintage that also was the 25th anniversary of Schrader Cellars: “The timing of this anniversary couldn’t be more fitting, as 2023 blessed us with what will surely become one of Schrader’s most celebrated vintages. Napa Valley experienced its longest growing season in over a decade, with mild, consistent temperatures that allowed for extended hang time and generous yields. These ideal conditions fostered exceptional fruit development, producing wines of unprecedented depth, harmony, and structure. As winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown notes, ‘It should end up being one of the best vintages of Schrader we’ve ever bottled.’”
Schrader Cellars Double Diamond Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley 2023 is a quality Napa sauv blanc in the white Bordeaux traditional rather than New Zealand sharpness. The addition of 20% semillon adds texture and roundness. Lack of malolactic conversion and conservative use of oak keeps focus on quality fruit from the fabled To Kalon and Wappo Hill vineyards. Seductive, enchanting effort from a top Napa winemaker working with an idyllic vintage. $50-55
Pairing—Seafood; oysters, lobster, crab, garlic prawns, clams, scallops, shrimp scampi; grilled fish tacos with cilantro, avocado, citrus. Roasted, grilled chicken with lemon, herbs, white wine butter sauce; turkey and lean pork also will work. Fresh salads with tangy vinaigrettes with goat cheese or feta; spring vegetables like artichokes, peas, zucchini; asparagus quiche; grilled vegetables with herbs. Cheese—Goat cheese, chèvre, Crottin de Chavignol, Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine, Cypress Grove Humboldt Fog, Rocky Oaks Legancy; feta, gruyère and swiss, brie and soft-ripened cheese, ricotta and fresh mozzarella; mild, soft cheddar.