Source: jamessuckling.com. Issue Date: February 14, 2020 (JS-96)

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.

Source: December 2019 Week 2, The Wine Advocate; Issue Date: 12th Dec 2019 (RP-95+)

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.

Drink Date 2022 - 2045

Source: Winemaker,

Year: 2017

Brand: Schrader

Vineyard: Beckstoffer To Kalon

Appellation: Oakville, Napa Valley

Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Composition: Pure clone 337

Cooperage: Aged 20 months in rare Darnajou French oak barrels

Winemaker: Thomas Brown

Profile

Continuing a superb string of classic vintages, the 2017 Schrader CCS offers excellent aromas of deep blackberry, toasty wood spice, and black licorice. It is exotically rich and intensely flavorful with integrated tannins and a finish of dark coffee and black fruits. An ideal combination of sweet fruit, oak, and balanced acidity provide approachability today and continued aging for the decades to come.

Vintage

Spring of 2017 was one of the largest winter rainfall totals we have experienced in recent years. Fortunately, once flowering started, the rains held off and allowed for optimal fruit set and prepared the clusters for even fruit ripening. Veraison finished at the end of August and the vines were positioned for success. Due to a combination of natural phenomena, the yields in 2017 are slightly lower and nearly matched to those that we produced in 2016 and 2015. This lower than average yield allowed for greater concentration on the vine providing the wines with more depth of character and rich complexity.