The 2019 Schrader RBS Beckstoffer To Kalon is classic Napa luxury—ripe, rich, and ready to impress. Made entirely from Clone 337 Cabernet and aged in 100% new French oak, it’s plush and generous, with layers of black fruit, spice, and silky tannins. While it’s one of the more approachable wines in Schrader’s lineup, it still has the structure to age beautifully.

The Wine Advocate | RP 97+
Published: Sep 15, 2022
Drink: 2025-2045

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon RBS Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard is Clone 337, matured 18 months in 100% new Darnajou and Taransaud barrels. Marked on the nose by red berries, cherries and cedar, plus delicate cinnamon and clove shadings, this is a plush, concentrated full-bodied wine with a core of firmness to it and a long, lingering finish, both positive signs for aging. It's one of the more approachable Schrader wines this vintage, but it should easily go another two decades.

When Constellation Brands purchased Schrader—the brand, existing grape contracts and inventory (Schrader owned no vineyards or winery)—for a reported $60 million in 2017, there were fears that the Schrader name would be devalued by expanded production. But with Thomas Rivers Brown retained, and grape sourcing maintained, so far those fears have yet to materialize. Brown has been able to access some Mondavi-controlled portions of the To Kalon Vineyard for new bottlings, but the quality of those has been comparable to what had been produced previously. Constellation is even said to be wooing him to oversee more of their Mondavi-owned vineyards.

On my summer visit to Napa, I sat down with Brown at Mending Wall to taste through a decent-sized slice of his current projects, including Schrader, and he outlined the winemaking steps: No sulfur added at the crusher. A seven-day cold soak. No added yeasts or bacteria. No acid additions (at least in 2019). Ferment up to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Use all the press wine. Go to barrel sweet. Maturation in new Darnajou and Taransaud barrels for 18 months. Sulfur after malolactic fermentation has finished. No fining or filtration. All this is done to further the goal, as Brown states it, "We want the sites to express themselves and the wines to be very different from each other."

Despite the corporate association, at least for now the wines continue to be among the most exciting to come out of Napa Valley. While they may occasionally show up at retail or on restaurant lists, the surest way to obtain the wines is via the mailing list. 

Jamessuckling.com | JS 97
Published: Sep 12, 2022

Racy, dark nose with pulpy character. Dried lychee, lavender and sandalwood. This is quite juicy, ample and almost a bit ethereal, despite the color and high alcohol. There is a fine twist of salinity on the palate that runs smoothly with lots of purple flowers. Really immaculate. Almost soft texture. Drink or hold.

Decanter | D 97
Published: Jun 13, 2022
Drink: 2023-2048

Another historic site and another opulent wine from Thomas Rivers Brown. Cabernet clone 337 delivers a fresh, high-toned, juicy red teeming with black fruit, black pepper and toasty cedar. Lush dark fruit is round and rich on the palate, framed by ultra-fine, satiny tannins and tangy blood orange acidity.
Closure: Natural Cork
Alcohol: 14.50%
Body: Full
Oak: Oaked
Grapes: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Schradercellars.com

Our Beckstoffer To Kalon RBS is produced from 100% Clone 337 Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from blocks of the vineyard that receive full sun and optimal heat during the day and are cooled by marine fog at night. Unfailingly red-fruited and plush yet balanced with savory notes of roasted coffee and supple silky tannins. The most generous wine in our portfolio, RBS tends to be more approachable upon release than our other bottlings.