Schrader Cellars RBS Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Schrader Cellars RBS Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 is a 750ml, single-vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from the legendary Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard in Oakville. This vintage earned 99 points from Jeb Dunnuck and 97 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, placing it among the most critically lauded California Cabernets of the 2018 vintage.

Quick Facts: Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon  |  Origin: Oakville, Napa Valley, California  |  Vineyard: Beckstoffer To Kalon  |  Clone: 337  |  Production: 1,715 Cases

Production & Heritage

Schrader Cellars has built its reputation around single-clone, single-vineyard expressions from To Kalon, widely regarded as one of the greatest Cabernet Sauvignon sites in the world. The RBS bottling is composed entirely of Cabernet clone 337—a selection prized for its small berries, moderate yields, and inherently lush texture—harvested from blocks B1, B2, and E2. Following fermentation, the wine aged for 18 months in 100% new French oak barrels from the esteemed Darnajou and Taransaud cooperages, contributing structural precision without overwhelming the fruit.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The glass opens with luxurious waves of blueberry compote, crème de cassis, and Black Forest cake, layered beneath exotic spice accents of cumin seed, cloves, and star anise. Deeper inhalation reveals violets, wildflowers, and a subtle thread of new saddle leather.

Taste: On entry, dense black and blue fruit fills the palate with remarkable concentration, moving through a mid-palate of roasted coffee, white chocolate, and salted churned butter. The ripe fruit interweaves seamlessly with the oak-derived complexity, carried by supple, velvety tannins that provide structure without austerity.

Finish: The finish is astonishingly silky and remarkably long, trailing off with lingering cassis, toasted brioche, and a faint underbrush earthiness. Tannins resolve gracefully, leaving a polished, persistent impression.

How to Drink Schrader RBS

A wine of this caliber and structure is best served in a large-bowled Bordeaux glass at cellar temperature (60–65°F), allowing 30 to 60 minutes of decanting to fully express its aromatic range. The 2018 vintage drinks well now but has the tannic framework and acidity to cellar confidently through the early 2040s for those who prefer more secondary development.

Best For

• Anchoring a special-occasion dinner built around prime beef or lamb
• Adding a trophy Napa Cabernet to a serious collector's cellar
• Gifting a wine enthusiast who appreciates To Kalon vineyard designates
• Vertical tastings comparing Schrader RBS across multiple vintages

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Schrader RBS taste like? Schrader RBS 2018 delivers deeply concentrated black and blue fruit—cassis, blueberry compote, dark cherry—interwoven with exotic spice, roasted coffee, white chocolate, and polished French oak, all carried by velvety tannins and a long, silky finish.

How does Schrader RBS compare to other Schrader To Kalon bottlings? Each Schrader single-clone bottling emphasizes the distinct character of its specific Cabernet clone; the RBS, built entirely from clone 337, tends toward a lush, richly textured profile with prominent blue-fruit intensity, whereas other Schrader designates from To Kalon can show different structural and aromatic signatures due to their clonal makeup.

Is Schrader RBS good for cellaring? Yes—the 2018 vintage possesses the tannic backbone, acidity, and fruit concentration typical of age-worthy Napa Cabernets, and it should develop beautifully through the early 2040s under proper storage conditions.

Where is Schrader RBS made? Schrader RBS is produced by Schrader Cellars using fruit exclusively from blocks B1, B2, and E2 of the Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard in Oakville, Napa Valley, California—one of the most storied vineyard sites in the American wine landscape.

What foods pair well with Schrader RBS? Grilled dry-aged ribeye steak complements its rich tannin structure; braised short ribs mirror its dark fruit depth; roasted rack of lamb with herbs echoes the wine's spice notes; aged hard cheeses like Comté or Parmigiano-Reggiano contrast its fruit density; and dark chocolate desserts harmonize with its cocoa and berry finish.

What sizes does Schrader RBS come in? The Schrader RBS Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 is available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Schrader RBS worth the price? Schrader RBS positions firmly in the ultra-premium tier of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, and its 99-point score from Jeb Dunnuck, limited production of just 1,715 cases, and To Kalon provenance place it among the most critically validated wines at its level.

Why Schrader RBS?

The 99-point score from Jeb Dunnuck ranks this among the top wines he evaluated from the 2018 Napa vintage, and the additional 97-point rating from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate confirms its elite standing. What separates the RBS from much of the competition is its laser focus on a single clone from precisely defined blocks within To Kalon, eliminating blending compromises in favor of pure varietal and site expression. Only 1,715 cases were produced, making allocation scarce and secondary-market demand considerable. For collectors and serious drinkers tracking the best expressions of Beckstoffer To Kalon Cabernet, the 2018 RBS represents a benchmark release.