A bottle of 2023 Monastery Block cabernet sauvignon on a table with a vase of flowers and a chess set

2023 Monastery Block

The Monastery Block is located on the western side of To Kalon Vineyard, nestled against the foothills of the Mayacamas adjacent to the Carmelite monastery from which it takes its name. The wine is produced from select clones of Cabernet Sauvignon–685, 31, & 169–and is planted on well-drained gravelly soils, showing a classic Oakville expression that balances rich black fruit with minerality and a floral component. Elegant and classically styled, this wine is generous, layered, and fresh.

  • Vintage 2023
  • Vineyard To Kalon Vineyard, Monastery Block
  • Appellation Oakville, Napa Valley
  • Varietal Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Clone Clones 685, 31, and 169
  • Cooperage Aged in 100% new Darnajou and Taransaud French oak barrels
  • Winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown

  • Accolades

    98+ Pts. "Another powerful, structured effort in this lineup, the 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Monastery Block offers red and black currants, spicy wood, graphite, and crushed stone, with an almost scorched earth, Graves-like character. It's rich, powerful, dense, and concentrated, with a fleshy mid-palate and a blockbuster finish. Drink 2029-2049." — Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com

  • Vineyard

    Monastery Block, a part of our To Kalon Vineyard in Oakville, is home to some of the oldest Cabernet Sauvignon vines in California. Dry farmed in the highly gravelly soil, the block is nestled into the foothills of the Mayacamas next to the Carmelite monastery from which it takes its name. Great wines start with great vineyards and a great winemaker. For nearly two decades, we have researched, trialed, and procured what we feel are the finest vineyard sites for producing benchmark Cabernets in the Napa Valley. This new exploration is truly worthy of the Schrader name.

  • Vintage

    2023 blessed us with what will surely become one of Schrader's most celebrated vintages. Napa Valley experienced its longest growing season in over a decade, with mild, consistent temperatures that allowed for extended hang time and generous yields. These ideal conditions fostered exceptional fruit development, producing wines of unprecedented depth, harmony, and structure. As winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown notes, "It should end up being one of the best vintages of Schrader we've ever bottled."

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