Schrader Cellars RBS Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Schrader Cellars RBS Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 is a 100% Clone 337 Cabernet Sauvignon from Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard in Napa Valley, bottled at 15.5% ABV (750ml). This release earned 97 points from Jeb Dunnuck and 94+ points from The Wine Advocate, underscoring the RBS bottling's reputation as one of the most approachable yet deeply concentrated wines in the Schrader portfolio.

Quick Facts: ABV: 15.5%  |  Origin: Oakville, Napa Valley, California  |  Vintage: 2021  |  Producer: Schrader Cellars  |  Winemaker: Thomas Rivers Brown

Production & Heritage

Schrader Cellars has built its identity on single-clone, single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from one of Napa Valley's most storied sites — Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard in Oakville. The RBS bottling isolates Clone 337, sourced from blocks that receive full sun and optimal daytime heat yet benefit from cooling marine fog at night, a microclimate that promotes slow, even ripening. Winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown aged the wine in 100% new French oak from Taransaud and Darnajou cooperages, a regimen that contributes structure and spice without masking the fruit. Among Schrader's lineup, RBS is noted for being more approachable upon release than its sibling bottlings.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe cherries and layers of red, blue, and black fruit before revealing cooler notes of mint and gentle sage. Hints of espresso and spicy oak emerge as the wine opens in the glass.

Taste: The entry is plush and fruit-forward, with blackberry, black currant, and boysenberry compote flavors that saturate the mid-palate. As the wine develops, exotic accents of violet, anise, and iris add complexity, while supple, silky tannins provide a framework that feels generous rather than austere. Roasted coffee undertones weave through the core fruit, adding savory depth.

Finish: Long and cooling, with lingering dark fruit and a subtle herbal freshness. The tannin structure resolves cleanly, leaving a polished impression that invites the next sip.

How to Drink Schrader RBS

This is a wine built for the table and the decanter. Serve at 60–65°F; a 30- to 60-minute decant will help the tannins integrate and allow the aromatic layers to fully unfold. It drinks well on its own but rewards pairing with rich, savory dishes. For those who enjoy wine-based cocktails, the concentrated fruit profile works in a Kalimotxo riff with quality cola for an unconventional pairing, a bold red wine sangria anchored by its dark berry density, or a New York Sour where a float of this Cabernet adds dramatic color and depth to the whiskey base.

Best For

• Celebrating a milestone dinner with a flagship Napa Cabernet
• Gifting a serious wine collector who appreciates single-clone bottlings
• Adding to a cellar — the tannic structure and concentration suggest aging potential through the early 2040s
• Pairing with a prime dry-aged steak or braised short ribs

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Schrader RBS taste like? Schrader RBS 2021 delivers packed flavors of blackberry, black currant, and boysenberry compote layered with violet, anise, espresso, and roasted coffee. The tannins are silky and supple, giving the wine a plush yet structured feel.

How does Schrader RBS compare to Schrader CCS? Both wines come from Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard and are made by Thomas Rivers Brown, but RBS isolates Clone 337 while CCS features a different Cabernet clone, resulting in distinct flavor profiles. RBS is generally regarded as more approachable upon release, with a slightly softer tannic structure compared to the firmer, more age-demanding character of CCS.

Is Schrader RBS good for drinking now? Yes — the 2021 RBS is noted for being more approachable upon release than other Schrader bottlings, with supple tannins and generous fruit that reward immediate enjoyment after a short decant. It also has the concentration and structure to develop in the cellar for years.

Where is Schrader RBS made? Schrader RBS is produced by Schrader Cellars from fruit grown in the Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard, located in the Oakville AVA of Napa Valley, California. To Kalon is widely considered one of the most prestigious vineyard sites in North America.

What foods pair well with Schrader RBS? Dry-aged ribeye steak highlights the wine's dark fruit intensity and tannic grip. Braised lamb shanks with herbs echo the mint and sage aromatics. Dark chocolate desserts complement the espresso and anise undertones. Aged hard cheeses like Comté or Gruyère balance the wine's richness with nutty salinity. Grilled portobello mushrooms provide an earthy counterpoint to the concentrated fruit.

What sizes does Schrader RBS come in? Schrader Cellars RBS Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 is available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Schrader RBS worth the price? Schrader RBS sits firmly in the ultra-premium tier of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, a positioning supported by its single-clone sourcing from Beckstoffer To Kalon, 100% new French oak aging, and critical acclaim including 97 points from Jeb Dunnuck. For collectors and enthusiasts seeking site-specific Napa Cabernet from a top-tier vineyard, it represents serious wine at a serious price point.

Why Schrader RBS?

The defining advantage of Schrader RBS is isolation — Clone 337 from specific sun-exposed, fog-cooled blocks of Beckstoffer To Kalon, vinified and aged separately in 100% new Taransaud and Darnajou barrels. This level of precision from one of Napa's most celebrated vineyard sites, under the direction of Thomas Rivers Brown, yields a wine that scored 97 points from Jeb Dunnuck in the 2021 vintage. Where many To Kalon Cabernets demand years of patience, the RBS bottling offers a rare combination of immediate drinkability and long-term cellar potential. For collectors tracking Napa Valley's most meticulous single-clone programs, this remains one of the benchmarks.