2019 RBS


“Lush aromatics of cassis and complements of pencil shavings and graphite, it’s just a really elegant wine that’s drinkable upon release—but also has the structure and tannins to carry it in aging.” — Carol Schrader
  • Vintage 2019
  • Alcohol 14.5%
  • Vineyard Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard
  • Appellation Oakville, Napa Valley
  • Varietal Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Clone Pure Clone 337
  • Cooperage Aged in 100% new Darnajou and Taransaud French oak barrels
  • Winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown
  • Tasting Notes

    Elegance and finesse are the hallmarks of the 2019 Schrader RBS. Made from pure clone 337 Cabernet, the wine offers an extravagant mix of blue and purple fruits seamlessly woven together to create a magnificent expression of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Upon entry, the wine delivers copious amounts of cassis, wild blueberries, and roasted plums laced with a mosaic of violets, licorice, tobacco leaf, and fragrant earth. Medium- to full-bodied, the silky tannins and velvety texture make this wine eminently approachable in its youth, and the underlying firm backbone provides for enhanced richness with additional cellar aging.

  • Accolades

    97+ Pts “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. ”
    —  Joe Czerwinski, The Wine Advocate

    97 Pts “Lots of violets, flowery incense, cassis, and spice notes emerge from the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard RBS, a full-bodied, silky, elegant 2019 that shines just as much for its purity and balance as its richness and depth. Possessing good acidity, a lively, vibrant mouthfeel, supple tannins, and a great finish, it has plenty of up-front appeal yet should easily evolve for a solid 20 years if properly stored.”
    — Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com

  • Vineyard

    Beckstoffer’s vineyard in Oakville, first planted in 1868 by viticultural and winemaking icon Hamilton Crabb, has long been regarded as the source of Napa Valley’s finest Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. This section of the vineyard is situated in the heart of the valley. An alluvial fan provides excellent mineral deposits, and the rich soils are filled with marine sediment. The vines receive full sun and optimal heat during the day and are cooled by marine fog at night. These conditions allow each of the three clones planted in this vineyard (4, 6, and 337) to display its own unique character, and this celebration of individuality is the essence of Schrader.

  • Vintage

    A cool vintage overall, the picking windows for 2019 were very long, which gave us the luxury of harvesting each different vineyard block at the perfect level of ripeness. The moment we pressed the grapes, we knew this wine was heading toward greatness. It’s exhibiting remarkable freshness that perfectly balances its flavor concentration and compares to the exceptional 2001/2002 vintages for tannins and acidity. Wonderfully enjoyable at release but will also be an ideal addition to your cellar for many years to come.