2017 GIII


The Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard GIII is always a standout in our portfolio because the unique soil structure of the vineyard consistently provides a distinctive bright red fruit character. Beautifully aromatic, the 2017 Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard GIII reveals a melange of bramble fruits and blueberries mixed with graphite notes and sweet spice. This wine truly wraps the senses and delivers an abundance of fruit to the palate that carries through to a round, satisfying finish.

  • Vintage 2017
  • Alcohol 14.7%
  • Vineyard Beckstoffer Georges III
  • Appellation Rutherford, Napa Valley
  • Varietal Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Clone Pure Clone 337
  • Cooperage Aged 20 months in rare Darnajou French oak barrels
  • Winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown
  • Tasting Notes

    The Schrader GIII is always a standout in our portfolio because the unique soil structure of the Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard consistently provides a distinctive bright red fruit character. Beautifully aromatic, the Schrader GIII reveals a melange of bramble fruits and blueberries mixed with graphite notes and sweet spice. This wine truly wraps the senses and delivers an abundance of fruit to the palate that carries through to a round, satisfying finish.

  • Accolades

    97 Pts. “Yields at Schrader are down a massive 50%, yet what they put in bottle is certainly brilliant. Starting with their 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard, it’s one of the plusher, more rounded, sexy wines in the lineup and is loaded with cassis and assorted blue fruits as well as notes of white flowers, violets, and tobacco. Full-bodied, concentrated, and opulent on the palate, it’s one big mouthful of pleasure bent fruit that’s hard to match in the vintage. Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that spent 20 months in 90% new oak, it’s going to put a smile on everyone’s face any time over the coming 20 years or so.”
    — Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com

    96+ Pts. “Very deep purple-black colored, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon GIII Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard comes roaring out of the glass with vivacious black cherry cordial, crème de cassis and blueberry pie scents with hints of menthol, licorice, mocha and spice cake. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is chock-full of spicy black fruit preserves, framed by plush tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long.”
    — Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Advocate

  • Vineyard

    Located in Rutherford on the east side of the valley floor, the Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard boasts a pedigreed history that dates back to the late 1800s. We source the grapes for our Schrader GIII from a small, specific section of the vineyard that was formerly a natural riverbed. The gentle slope and unique gravel and rock composition of this block produces stunning fruit with phenomenal concentration and character. We truly feel we have found the ideal “sweet spot” of this historic vineyard estate.

  • Vintage

    Spring of 2017 was one of the largest winter rainfall totals we have experienced in recent years. Fortunately, once flowering started, the rains held off and allowed for optimal fruit set and prepared the clusters for even fruit ripening. Veraison finished at the end of August and the vines were positioned for success. Due to a combination of natural phenomena, the yields in 2017 are slightly lower and nearly matched to those that we produced in 2016 and 2015. This lower than average yield allowed for greater concentration on the vine providing the wines with more depth of character and rich complexity.