Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
This is a really juicy bottle with aromas of blackberries, terracotta, hot stone, flowers, walnuts and black olives, following through to a full-bodied yet right and compact palate with silky tannins and a chewy finish. Excellent length. Needs time to come together, but already superb for the vintage. Better after 2022.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
This “Schrader” label comes from Beckstoffer’s To Kalon vineyard in Oakville, produced from clone 4 grown on the C2 block (75%), clone 6 from the D2 block (12.5%) and clone 337 from the B2 block (12.5%). One hundred percent Cabernet Sauvignon, it was aged in 100% new oak for 20 months. Very deep purple-black colored, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard sails out of the glass with pretty scents of kirsch, blackcurrant cordial, dark chocolate and candied violets with a core of warm plums and blackberry pie plus a touch of garrigue. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers loads of mineral and earthy sparks among the black fruit layers, supported with firm, grainy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long. 181 cases were made.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Also known as the Schrader Schrader, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Schrader offers a more black-fruited, chocolate, and mineral-laced profile as well as full-bodied richness, a dense, powerful mid-palate, and building tannins. As I wrote last year, it’s one of the biggest, baddest wines in the lineup. I wouldn’t open bottles for a good 4-5 years, yet it should be long-lived. Rating: 96+
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Wine Spectator
Beautifully pure plum and blackberry notes gush forth, with melted licorice and sweet toast elements cascading in on the finish. Shows serious depth for a 2017, getting denser and more focused as this moves through the finish, a great sign for cellaring. Extra violet, graphite and sweet spice accents create a gorgeous backdrop. Tempting now, but best to wait. Best from 2021 through 2040.
A noble variety bestowed with both power and concentration, Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys success all over the globe, its best examples showing potential to age beautifully for decades. Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in Bordeaux's Medoc where it is often blended with Merlot and smaller amounts of some combination of Cabernet Franc, Malbecand Petit Verdot. In the Napa Valley, ‘Cab’ is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious, age-worthy and sought-after “cult” wines. Somm Secret—DNA profiling in 1997 revealed that Cabernet Sauvignon was born from a spontaneous crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in 17th century southwest France.
Home to some of the most sought-after Cabernet Sauvignon in America, Napa Valley’s Oakville district stretches across the center of Napa's valley floor and foothills between the Vaca and Mayacamas Mountains. This AVA is home to the legendary To Kalon Vineyard and Martha's Vineyard, as well as many powerhouse wineries including Screaming Eagle, Silver Oak, Robert Mondavi, Opus One, Far Niente and Groth.
The climate is generally warm and agreeable, resulting in year after year of favorable vintages. Summer days see a gentle tug of war between warmer inland air and the cool air coming in from the San Pablo Bay, creating an ideal environment to grow red varieties. Oakville's diverse soils, namely ancient sea bedrock, clay and gravel, are well-drained, and perfect for high-caliber viticulture.
Cabernet here is often bottled varietally but is also popular in Bordeaux Blends. Oakville wines are known for their silky, sensual textures, structured tannins, dark and brooding fruit and lovely aromatics. These age-worthy and prestigious wines are favored by collectors throughout the world.