Large Format Wines

Item Description

Schrader Old Sparky – A Purely Dazzling Wine

--2010, 2013, 2016 'Old Sparky' Cabernet Sauvignon, in magnum

For more than two decades, Schrader Cellars has produced benchmark Cabernet Sauvignon from the most prestigious vineyards in the Napa Valley. With winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown at the wine-making helm, they have created wines known for their vibrant flavor and opulent richness, incredible purity of fruit, concentration, and balance. They are powerful, elegant and graceful.

Each year, the iconic “top of the line” Old Sparky Cabernet is handcrafted from the finest barrel lots of the vintage. It is a dazzling wine, only produced in magnum, and very little is made. These three vintages --2010, 2013, 2016-- have garnered a whopping 98, 100 and 100 points respectively by wine critic Robert Parker.

True to the vintage, the 2010 blend shows prodigious intensity, spectacular structure, and impeccable balance that are present from start to lingering finish. The most compelling aspect of Old Sparky is the wine’s ability to seamlessly partner great power and intensity with elegance and finesse — the proverbial, “iron fist in a velvet glove.”

The 2013 vintage enjoyed month upon glorious month of effortless sunny days followed by clear, cool nights. The favorable conditions seamlessly continued through the summer. Once the grapes were in barrel, the wine continued to develop and gain profound flavors that led winemaker Thomas Brown to say “These are the finest wines I have ever made.” Wine critic Robert Parker agreed, and bestowed a perfect 100 point score, saying “... this is as great as Cabernet can be. Built like a skyscraper, with an incredible finish … this amazing wine should still be drinking splendidly well at age 25 or 30.”

In the Napa Valley, the 2016 vintage made everyone smile. With consistent, cooperative weather throughout, the season brought the fifth stellar vintage in a row, resulting in beautiful, perfectly ripe fruit. The 2016 Old Sparky is very deep purple-black in color with a wonderfully pure nose of blackcurrant, blackberry preserves and black cherry pie … Full-bodied, concentrated, and jam-packed with flavors, the palate is pure hedonism with a solid line of ripe tannins and great freshness, finishing very long. And, it was rated 100 points.

Schrader Cellars has garnered the highest critical acclaim in the history of American Cabernet Sauvignon production, and the wines represent excellence at the highest level -- from vineyard practices through the careful bottling and delivery of each and every wine.

From a private collection, these bottles have been optimally cellared and stored since release.

You owe it to yourself to make this collection yours.

Item Special Note

Collection of California Sales Tax: Unless a valid resale permit is presented to seller prior to the sale, purchaser will be required to pay all state and local retail sales taxes applicable on the date of sale. Resale permits will be accepted only for businesses that are reasonably expected to buy and sell wine. Sales tax will be collected on the purchase price of each lot which contains tangible goods.

Shipping or Pick up of Wines: Shipping costs are the sole responsibility of the winner.

Non-Napa County winners must arrange for their wines to be shipped from The Packaging Company, beginning Friday, March 6, 2020. If you're the lucky winner, we'll call or email you with directions for making this happen.

Napa County winners of auction lots containing wine may pick up their wines at the St. Helena office of the UpValley Family Centers beginning Friday, March 6, 2020. If you are the lucky winner, we'll call or email you with directions and details.