Schrader "MB" Monastery Block To Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
(Napa Valley, California) - [WA 98+] [JD 97+] [JS 98] [WS 96]

Notes from the Winemaker:
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.

Vintage Notes

After a wet and cool winter, both bud break and flowering got off to a later-than-normal start. Summer brought nice, even temperatures with very few heat spikes, resulting in great phenolic development in the grapes and even ripening across all our vineyard sites. Due to the lower-than-normal summer temperatures, the grapes enjoyed long, steady ripening. This allowed for wonderful sugar development while maintaining structure. Once in barrel, the wines showed prodigious depth and incredible character that wonderfully displayed the benefits of slow, even ripening. A winemaker's dream, the 2018 vintage has produced wines that will provide exceptional pleasure upon release and age gracefully in your cellar.

Technical Data

Appellation: Oakville, Napa Valley
Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Composition: Pure Clone 169
Cooperage: Aged 20 months in rare Darnajou French oak barrels
Winemaker: Thomas Brown

Ratings & Reviews

98+ Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"Only the second vintage of this new Schrader label, the 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 was aged in 100% new Darnajou and Taransaud French oak barrels for 18 months. Deep garnet-purple in color, the nose is shut down, requiring a fair amount of swirling to unveil pronounced black currant cordial, stewed plums and blackberry preserves scents with hints of crushed rocks, tar, licorice and camphor. Medium-bodied, the palate reveals a lot of energy and tension, offering glimpses of mineral and spice accents among the tightly knit, muscular black fruit layers, supported by a solid wall of firm, grainy tannins. It finishes with great length and a lively burst of freshness. 302 cases were made." - Lisa Perrotti-Brown (12/29/21)


98 Points - 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." (1/27/21)


97+ Points - 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!" - Jeb Dunnuck (1/27/2021)

96 Points - Wine Spectator:
"This is laden with vibrant fruit, showing flavors of cassis, kirsch, linzer torte 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. 310 cases made." - JM (10/31/2021)