2022 Double Diamond by Schrader Proprietary Red Napa Valley
A bold yet refined expression from Thomas Rivers Brown, the 2022 Double Diamond Proprietary Red is a masterful Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. Sourced from top Napa vineyards, it delivers perfumed aromatics, dark berry fruit, cassis, and dark cacao, layered with a cool slate minerality. The palate is rich and full-bodied, unfolding creamy dark cherry, blackberry, and plum, framed by fine-grained tannins and wild herbs on a long, lifted finish. Balanced, vibrant, and effortlessly drinkable now, yet built to evolve.
“In top vintages, Schrader’s Beckstoffer Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines can be as good as money can buy ... anywhere in the world.” – Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate It’s hard to point to a winemaker in the Napa Valley on a more consistent winning streak than Thomas Rivers Brown. The wines he makes for Schrader, Maybach, Double Diamond, Kinsella, and Jones Family do not share a monolithic sameness, but rather individuality. Because Brown makes wine naturally - with no spinning cones, additives, or hocus pocus - the only thing the wines have in common is their greatness, and the monster critical acclaim that has followed. Which brings us to Schrader. Simply put, these are some of the most consistent and critically acclaimed wines being made in the valley right now. They are truly rare and great, made from historic Grand Cru sites in St. Helena, Rutherford, and Oakville.
Decanter
The 2022 Double Diamond Proprietary Red allows winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown to experiment with a blend under the Schrader label. Fruit is sourced from notable vineyards, including Wappo Hill for Cabernet Franc, Shifflet for Cabernet Sauvignon in the western hills of the Oak Knoll District, and Red Hen Vineyard for Merlot. This is a lush red with high-toned, perfumed aromatics, dark berry fruit, cassis, and dark cacao notes with a cool, wet slate minerality. Full-bodied, it showcases creamy dark cherry and blackberry fruits, hints of plum, fine-grained tannins, and wild herbs on the extended finish. Balanced, joyful, and far too easy to drink
Jeb Dunnuck
More precise and pretty, the 2022 Proprietary Red Wine has a great nose of red and black fruit as well as some attractive floral and spicy nuances. It's rich, concentrated, has medium to full-bodied richness, polished tannins, and a great finish. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot, it’s a great value in the vintage and will certainly stand up with wines 2-3 times the price. Drink bottles over the coming decade.