“The entire lineup of 2023s from Schrader are truly special.” – Jeb Dunnuck

We’re gone ’23 DD crazy today. Bottles by the hundreds are flying out the door as you read this. Ladies and gents, we present to you, MONASTERY BLOCK by Thomas Rivers Brown.

A better vintage can’t be imagined for the mighty Schrader lineup, 2023 was picture-perfect in Oakville. And To Kalon is arguably Napa Valley’s most storied vineyard.

In ‘Schraderish’ abbreviations - like BTK, CSS, RBS, GIII, T6, LPV, MB, HC - communicate a lot. MB stands for the Monastery Block, at the Western edge of the historic To Kalon complex, lying on the foothills of the Carmelite monastery, and with Harlan’s Promontory just up the hill.

Decanter ties yesterday with today, “For nearly a quarter of a century, Schrader Cellars has been a cornerstone for collectors of high-end Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Founded in 1998 by Fred Schrader, a prominent art and antiques dealer, the label’s inaugural wine was from the same vintage. Shortly after, Schrader partnered with winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown, who produced the 2000 vintage, including the first Beckstoffer To Kalon release. Brown remains at the helm today, and the upcoming 2023 release will mark the brand’s 25th anniversary.”

And they continue, “Blake Wood, Director of Vineyard Operations for Schrader and former vineyard manager for Andy Beckstoffer’s Heritage Properties in Napa, notes that in 2023: ‘We achieved California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) certification, which required three years of strictly organic farming before we could earn that certification.’ Given Brown’s access to such vast new areas of To Kalon and Brown and Wood’s fine-tuning of these blocks, new and riveting sections for very fine Napa Cabernet will emerge. The aim is to lend an air of greater prestige for the Mondavi To Kalon Vineyard, which may finally match, or may even eclipse, the hallowed Beckstoffer To Kalon blocks.”

See for yourselves. In the words of Ferris Bueller, “If you have the means, I highly recommend it.”

98+ Points – Jeb Dunnuck “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. This brilliant wine deserves 4-5 years of bottle age and will keep for two decades. Drink 2029-2049.”

98 Points – James Suckling *“Such finesse, elegance and concentration, with distinctive mint, spice and creme de cassis flavors. Reminiscent of a Pauillac for its intensity and aromas, yet it’s a bit restrained in flavors. Great balance of vivid acidity and velvety, fine-grained tannins. So expansive on the palate and long in the finish. Drinkable now, but best from 2033.