PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Few vineyards in California carry the weight of To Kalon, the legendary Oakville site whose Cabernet has been the benchmark for Napa Valley for generations. Schrader Cellars has built its reputation on single-vineyard To Kalon bottlings, made by winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown, and the 2022 vintage marks a notable change in where the fruit comes from. In the past, the grapes came from the Beckstoffer To Kalon vineyard; for 2022, sourcing moved to the To Kalon holdings on the Mondavi side of the vineyard, where vineyard manager Blake Wood identifies the blocks that meet Schrader’s standards. A review cited by the winery (95 points, publication not shown) summed it up: “For longtime Schrader collectors, this is the ‘new’ Schrader’s Schrader.”
This bottling is 100% Clone 15 Cabernet Sauvignon, from a section of the vineyard planted on soils that contain ancient marine sediment and an alluvial fan, which provide excellent mineral deposits. It’s aged in 100% new French oak from Darnajou and Taransaud. The winery describes the 2022 as “full-bodied with concentrated black and purple fruit, balancing powerful fruit with elegant floral and spice notes, fresh acidity, and firm ripe tannins,” with “blackberry, red cherry, and briary aromas that combine with pleasing threads of baking spice.” Another description finds “blackberry, cassis, and dark plum, complemented by floral notes, clove, vanilla, and a touch of dark chocolate.”
Decanter’s Jonathan Cristaldi scored it 94 points, noting “dark cherry cola notes, a touch of sassafras, sweet oak spices, and mocha.” CellarTracker’s community averaged 92.3 points across four reviews, with notes of “very lush mixed berries (raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries), silky tannins,” and “plenty of dark chocolate and dark red fruit,” and one taster found it “clearly a 2022,” round and lush but “just missing a bit of structure and power.” That’s a fair summary of the style: a ripe, plush, generous Oakville Cabernet that’s approachable relatively young, with the To Kalon mineral thread.
It’s a collector’s bottle and a gift with a strong name behind it, from a vineyard and winemaker with an unrivaled record. Decant for an hour or two. Pair with ribeye, lamb, short ribs, and aged cheeses.
Schrader Cellars 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon To Kalon Vineyard is produced by Schrader Cellars (winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown; vineyard manager Blake Wood) from To Kalon Vineyard in Oakville, Napa Valley, California. 100% Clone 15 Cabernet Sauvignon from soils of ancient marine sediment and an alluvial fan, aged in 100% new Darnajou and Taransaud French oak barrels. 750ml.
95 Points (cited by Schrader Cellars; publication not shown):
“For longtime Schrader collectors, this is the ‘new’ Schrader’s Schrader. Since the fruit sourcing transitioned from Beckstoffer To Kalon to Mondavi’s To Kalon side, vineyard manager Blake Wood has begun identifying blocks that meet the high-quality standards.”
Jonathan Cristaldi, Decanter — 94 Points:
“Expect dark cherry cola notes, a touch of sassafras, sweet oak spices, and mocha.”
CellarTracker community — 92.3 average (4 reviews):
“Deep ruby, very aromatic, very lush mixed berries (raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries), silky tannins, phenomenal.”
Schrader Cellars (winery notes):
“Full-bodied with concentrated black and purple fruit, the wine balances powerful fruit with elegant floral and spice notes, fresh acidity, and firm ripe tannins. The 2022 To Kalon Vineyard features notes of blackberry, red cherry, and briary aromas that combine with pleasing threads of baking spice.”
Nose
Blackberry, red cherry, and briary notes, with baking spice, floral aromas, clove, and vanilla.
Palate
Full-bodied and lush, with concentrated black and purple fruit, cassis, dark plum, cherry cola, sassafras, and mocha, with fresh acidity and firm, ripe tannin.
Finish
Long and expressive, with dark chocolate, spice, and floral lift.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Appellation | Oakville, Napa Valley, California |
| Variety | 100% Cabernet Sauvignon (Clone 15) |
| Vintage | 2022 |
| Producer | Schrader Cellars |
| Winemaker | Thomas Rivers Brown |
| Vineyard | To Kalon Vineyard (Mondavi side) — ancient marine sediment and alluvial fan soils |
| Aging | 100% new French oak (Darnajou and Taransaud) |
| Critics | Decanter 94 · a 95-point review cited by the winery · CellarTracker 92.3 |
| Style / Identity | A plush, ripe, mineral-edged Oakville Cabernet from the most famous vineyard in Napa |
| Aromas & Flavors | Blackberry, cassis, dark plum, cherry cola, sassafras, clove, mocha |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
Decant for an hour or two; serve at about 62-65°F.
Bottle Size: All bottles are 750ML/700ML unless otherwise noted.
21 and Over: Adult Signature Required
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