Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
More black fruits, tobacco, chocolate, and earthy notes emerge from the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard RBS, but it’s a similarly textured, sexy, opulent wine on the palate. All Cabernet aged 20 months in 95% new French oak, this full-bodied, concentrated 2017 has terrific tannins, a balanced, layered mouthfeel, and a great finish. It too is destined for 15-20 years of prime drinking.
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James Suckling
Lots of flowers, such as violets and lilacs on the nose, as well as blue fruit. Medium to full body and firm, silky tannins that are polished and refined. Tight and focused. Lovely finish. Drink now or hold.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Schrader’s RBS comes from Beckstoffer’s To Kalon vineyard in Oakville, produced from 337 clone grown on blocks B1, B2 and E2. It is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and was aged in 100% new oak for 20 months. Very deep purple-black in color, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon RBS Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard is a little closed to begin, giving way to fragrant earth, tobacco leaf and charcoal scents opening out to notions of potpourri, baked plums and Black Forest cake with the cassis coming through after much coaxing. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a rock-solid backbone of firm, grainy tannins and fantastic freshness, lifting the fruit to a very long and mineral-laced finish. 1176 cases were made. Rating: 95+
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Wine Spectator
Features a beautifully ripe, intense beam of creamed plum and cassis fruit, laced with licorice, violet and sassafras notes. A racy edge on the finish brings you back for another sip. Approachable now for the copious fruit, but this is sufficiently packed to merit cellaring. Best from 2021 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.