2018 GIII


“The fruit component is very bright and lush. It’s aromatic and drinkable at a young age, but also ages well.” — Carol Schrader

  • Vintage 2018
  • Alcohol 16.1%
  • 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 2018 Schrader GIII is wonderfully aromatic with mixed berry and red currant fruit compote, red cherries, and a hint of white tea leaves that contribute to its signature charm. On the palate, this medium- to full-bodied wine is eminently engaging with oodles of delicious ripe fruit, red cherries, and sweet toasty oak notes that perfectly balance the abundant fruit flavors. The finish goes on and on and ultimately completes with a hint of vanilla that lingers to the end.

  • Accolades

    98 Pts. “Coming from a larger, famous site in Rutherford, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer GIII Vineyard is another superstar in the lineup. Possessing a dense purple color, it delivers a monster bouquet of ripe blackcurrants, chocolate, tobacco, sweet mulch, and a Graves-like sense of gravelly earth and minerality. While I suspect the acidity is quite low, it stays lively on the palate, possessing full-bodied richness, soft tannins, remarkable purity, and a great finish. This super-rich, opulent, incredibly sexy Cabernet Sauvignon should evolve for 20 years or more.”
    — Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com

    97 Pts. “A seductive ripe-fruit and floral nose. Medium-to full-bodied with notes of blackberries, blackcurrants, violets and spice. Light, fresh jam, too. It’s full and compact with a dense, deep palate and beautiful fruit. Firm and bright. Try after 2024.”
    — James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com

  • 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

    After a wet and cool winter, both bud break and flowering got off to a later-than-normal start. Summer brought nice, even temperatures with very few heat spikes, resulting in great phenolic development in the grapes and even ripening across all our vineyard sites. Due to the lower-than-normal summer temperatures, the grapes enjoyed long, steady ripening. This allowed for wonderful sugar development while maintaining structure. Once in barrel, the wines showed prodigious depth and incredible character that wonderfully displayed the benefits of slow, even ripening. A winemaker’s dream, the 2018 vintage has produced wines that will provide exceptional pleasure upon release and age gracefully in your cellar.