2022 Schrader To Kalon Vineyard Monastery Block
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Tasting notes
From a single plot of To Kalon, up against the foothills of the Mayacamas, all planted to Clone 169 Cabernet Sauvignon, this was harvested at just one ton per acre (around 18-20hl/ha). The resulting wine is almost overwhelming in its intensity – much darker and more brooding versus the “straight” To Kalon bottling. It’s spicy and dark-fruited, with additional richness to the bramble fruit, vanilla essence and a note that is almost like cola. The palate is savoury with structured, drying tannins – an edge of smoky tar almost, and yet a tight core of black plum and blackberry fruit at its core, all balanced by a bite of bright acidity – cutting through the wine’s powerful palate. Aged in 100% new oak.
Critic scores
Jeb Dunnuck
Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
Comprising 48 acres planted to several varieties, Mondavi's Monastery Block gets divided up among various brands. Schrader's 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Monastery Block To Kalon Vineyard offers up compelling scents of dried herbs (thyme?), cassis and perfumed violets on the nose, while the full-bodied palate is concentrated, velvety and perhaps a touch warm; the long finish adds a touch of dark chocolate.
Cassis, darker chocolate, lead pencil, and smoked tobacco all emerge from the 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon To Kalon Vineyard Monastery Block, a beautifully textured, full-bodied 2022 that has plenty of mid-palate depth, ripe, polished tannins, and a great finish. It doesn’t get much better in the vintage, and while it has the upfront appeal of the vintage, I wouldn’t be surprised to see it evolve gracefully for upwards of two decades.