Aged for 20 months in French barrels. Made from Clone 169 from the Monastery Block of Mondavi's To Kalon Vineyard. First released in 2017. Grapes from this block have been used for many years as the core of Mondavi's Reserve Cabernet blends. As Mondavi is owned by Schrader's parent company Constellation, this wine was created like no other. Located at the foot of the Mayacamas Mountains, the vineyard has good drainage and has powerful black fruit, earthiness, depth, mellowness and freshness.
Wine Profile
The Monastery Block is located on the west side of To Kalon Vineyard, at the foot of the Mayacamas Mountains and adjacent to the Carmelite Monastery for which it is named.
Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon clone 169 planted in well-drained stony soil, this wine expresses classic Oakville with a well-balanced blend of rich black fruit, minerality and gorgeous floral notes.
Elegant and classically styled, this is a fresh wine with full-bodied, layered complexity.
Vintage Information
2021 was a vintage full of classic Napa Valley style and, for many, it marked a recovery from the disasters of 2020.
Several years of dry vintages created ideal conditions for the vines, resulting in low yields, but small bunches and tiny grapes that produced dense, flavorful fruit, and Mother Nature's blessings ensured that the grapes ripened at optimum ripeness.
The viticulture team and winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown are confident that 2021 will be an outstanding vintage, surpassing the 2019 vintage in both quality and complexity.
In creating the 2021 wines, we aimed to capture the power, complexity and elegance of the vintage.
Tasting notes from barrel by Jeb Dunnuck
96-98 points
"A beast of a wine, the 2021 To Kalon Vineyards Monastery Block Cabernet Sauvignon is a single block of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Ripe black fruit, graphite, chalky minerality and scorched earth accentuate the aromas. It is full-bodied, concentrated and structured. Truly delicious, but will need some bottle age."
Jeb Dunnuck February 16, 2023
Field Information
To Kalon Vineyards
First planted in 1868 by the charismatic winegrower and winemaker Hamilton Club, To Kalon Vineyards has long been recognized as the source of some of Napa Valley's finest Cabernet Sauvignon.
In our prime vineyard locations, the alluvial fans are rich in fine and diverse minerals and the fertile soils contain many marine deposits, which give our wines their unique character.
The vines receive ample sunlight and optimal temperatures during the day and are cooled by cool sea mists at night.
This celebration of individuality and commitment to local origins and quality is at the heart of Schrader Cellars.
Vintage: 2021
Capacity: 750ml
Type: Red wine
Taste: Full-bodied
Main variety: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Country of Origin: America
Region Name: California
AVA: Napa Valley
Nested AVA, Other: Oakville
Vineyard: To Kalon Vineyard, clone 169 only
Winemaker: Thomas Rivers Brown
Aging: Aged in new French barrels (D'Arnajou & Tarançao)
Cap: Cork
Alcohol content: 14.7%