Winemaker Notes
A brilliant sequel to our inaugural release, the 2018 Schrader MB continues to show the unique qualities of To Kalon Vineyard terroir. Made from grapes grown in close proximity to the Mayacamas Mountains, the wine brims with bold aromas of Bing cherries, briar fruit, and raspberries, complemented by elegant crushed rock minerality. Medium- to full bodied, this wine glides over the palate with fine, grippy tannins and gorgeous bright-yet balanced fruit. The fine tone and vast dimension of the Schrader MB promises tremendous opportunity for further development in the bottle.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Only the second vintage of this new Schrader label, this 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Monastery Block To Kalon Vineyard comes from clone 169 planted on the Monastery Block of the Robert Mondavi section of To Kalon vineyard in Oakville. One hundred percent Cabernet Sauvignon, it is aging in 100% new Darnajou oak barrels. A very deep purple-black colored barrel sample, the 2018 rolls effortlessly from the glass with fragrant Black Forest cake, blueberry pie and warm cassis notes plus touches of dried roses, black tea, pencil lead and underbrush with a waft of baking spices. Medium-bodied, the palate is super elegant and super intense with a firm, grainy texture and bold freshness, finishing long and layered.
Barrel Sample: 97-100 -
James Suckling
An expressive and complex cabernet sauvignon with notes of plum, blackberry, toasted oak and earthy undertones. Lots of blue fruit. The palate is full and tannic with firm tannins and a long, powerful finish, showing so much blackcurrant, blue fruit and dark chocolate. Solid. Better after 2024.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Coming from the historic Monastery Block in this Grand Cru vineyard, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon To Kalon Vineyard MB offers a beautifully layered, full-bodied, yet structured profile that's going to benefit from bottle age. Lots of blackcurrants, gravelly earth, dark chocolate, and liquid violet-like nuances give way to a concentrated 2018 with a wonderful mid-palate, building tannins, and a great finish. Do your best to hide bottles for 4-5 years, and this puppy should be long-lived!. Rating: 97+
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Wine Spectator
This is laden with vibrant fruit, showing flavors of cassis, kirsch, linzer and açaí berry, while violet, apple wood and melted licorice notes fill in where they can. Shows a brambly hint through the back end, adding good energy to the massively endowed fruit core. The finish echoes and echoes with fruit. Best from 2022 through 2038.
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.