At a recent dinner, I had the pleasure of tasting several different cabernets from Schrader's most recent 2005 vintage, and one wine from the 2001 vintage.  The 2005's were tannic beasts not to be touched for a few years, but the '01 was addicting. I was so enamored with the 2001 that I sought out older vintages of Shrader, and found the 1999 Gaudeamus Vineyard cab from them.  What a treat it was.

The wine boasts inky dark color and a heady bouquet of black currant jam, anise, graphite, and a hint of clove.  There is so much fruit and tannin on the palate that I am confident the wine will last a long time under proper storage.  Several different black fruits and plums compete for attention on the palate, and the tannin's are starting to tame into the background.  The wine continued to hold up well 24 hours later.  This is one of the best cabs I have had this year.

4.5 stars