Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon To Kalon Vineyard Monastery Block comes from a smaller parcel of this block and is a region that Thomas feels is clearly superior dirt. Deep purple-hued, with an absolutely insane nose of blackcurrants, smoked tobacco, lead pencil, and crushed stone, it has a First Growth Pauillac-like stature on the palate and is full-bodied, with building tannins and flawless balance. This brilliant Cabernet Sauvignon is going to require patience, but it’s worth it.
Barrel Sample: 97-100 -
James Suckling
Such finesse, elegance and concentration, with distinctive mint, spice and creme de cassis flavors. Reminiscent of a Pauillac for its intensity and aromas, yet it’s a bit restrained in flavors. Great balance of vivid acidity and velvety, fine-grained tannins. So expansive on the palate and long in the finish. Drinkable now, but best from 2033.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Schrader's 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Monastery Block To Kalon Vineyard is a step up over the outstanding 2022. Exuberant florals—violets and thyme—form an ethereal layer above a base of ripe black cherries, while the full-bodied palate is rich and supple, so smooth and refined, with a silky, softly tannic and long-lasting finish.
Barrel Sample: 96-98
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.