It’s really tough to make comparisons between pinot and cab. The former is just so much more ‘transparent’ in its characteristics - color / tannins / acid levels - that natural diversity due to site and clone characteristics should be much more noticeable. That said, with high ripeness levels, these differences become minimized with this variety as well.
Cheers
Here is a repost of an email from Schrader. Bought by Constellation in 2017 it looks like a bit of pivot with apparently Schrader no longer using Beckstoffer To-Kalon (BTK) fruit and becoming more reliant on other sources of TK fruit (it is a large vineyard).
"Dear Members,
In many ways, the origin of Schrader Cellars can be traced back to one day in 2000 when Fred Schrader tasted a barrel sample from a vineyard called To Kalon. That barrel sample sent Fred straight to Andy Beckstoffer’s doorstep – it was the beginning of a fruitful partnership that lasted for more than two decades. The rest, as they say, is history.
Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in the story of Schrader Cellars as To Kalon Vineyard becomes even more integral to our sourcing strategy and vision for what comes next. In 2017, we initiated a new partnership with Robert Mondavi Winery to source from a selection of blocks and clones found among the 455 acres of its To Kalon Vineyard. Beginning with our 2022 vintage, which we will be releasing in a few weeks, 100% of our To Kalon fruit will be sourced from the Robert Mondavi Winery’s To Kalon Vineyard.
“This voyage of discovery has been probably the most exciting part about working with the new blocks and clones from To Kalon Vineyard. You get this incredible diversity of styles within the vineyard based on all the different soil series out there, the different rootstocks and clones. You always get something great, but you get different levels of greatness kind of across the spectrum. I don’t know anyone that gets that same opportunity in a vineyard as good as To Kalon.” – Thomas Rivers Brown
We have been endlessly impressed with the quality of fruit that we have received from this portion of To Kalon, and we are especially proud of the work that the vineyard team at Robert Mondavi has done to convert its To Kalon Vineyard to a certified organic vineyard starting with the 2023 vintage. This is a huge achievement and a monumental milestone for Napa Valley – one that we are thrilled to be a part of.
For six years, Thomas Rivers Brown has been working with Robert Mondavi Winery’s To Kalon, exploring the vineyard and making two of the newer wines in our portfolio from this site. Our Heritage Clone and Monastery Block Cabernet Sauvignons were especially sought out and hand-selected by Thomas Rivers Brown from this portion of To Kalon, and as we have continued to explore this magnificent vineyard, we have found new blocks and clones that we are eager to share with you.
“We started with some obvious sites – the Monastery Block, for one –it is famous. It’s been famous forever. It’s pushed back up against the hills underneath the Carmelite Monastery in Oakville. That is a known A-plus piece of dirt.
Another obvious choice were the blocks of Heritage Clone because I’d never seen anything quite like them. These really unique vines produced wines with just this wild concentration, all this power, all this fruit, but with all this incredible structure and acidity that reminds me a little bit of Old Sparky as a whole.” – Thomas Rivers Brown
Our dedication has always been to sourcing only the best Cabernet Sauvignon that Napa Valley has to offer, and we truly feel that the wines from Robert Mondavi Winery’s To Kalon Vineyard represent the pinnacle of perfection – or at least as close as one can hope to get to it.
We want to take this opportunity to acknowledge and extend our gratitude to Andy Beckstoffer for 21 years of partnership that have spanned across some of Napa’s greatest vintages. We are excited to turn the page on this next chapter of our story and share it with all of you.
Cheers,
Jason Smith, Master Sommelier and General Manager of Schrader Cellars"
You must have popped into the Momento Mori thread 
They called me a lunatic, yet here we are
Turnbull probably doesn’t get discussed enough on the board. I suggested the 21 to a friend looking for a good value in Napa. The 2021 Napa can be found for $45-50 and 70% of the fruit comes from Amoenus in the 21. The Oakville Reserve is a step up and even better.
Their SVD’s are also one of the best values around on the wine club with most I believe under the $150 mark- Amoenus, Fortuna, Leopoldina, Weitz(blended in Black Label)
Wow, really?
Turnbull owns Amoenus, Fortina, and Leopoldina Vineyards.
Where did you find that 2021 Napa Valley contains 70% Amoenus fruit?
An email offer from Wine Exchange in Cali. Also AG calls it out in his review. He did not provide a % amount but referenced the amount from Amoenus was " pretty high"
From Wine Exchange
The blend of the 2021 Turnbull Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley is largely (71%) from their Amoenus Vineyard in Calistoga with the balance being 11% Fortuna Vineyard (Oakville), 11% Turnbull Home Vineyard (Oakville) and 7% Leopoldina Vineyard (Oakville). The varietal blend is 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot, and 2% Malbec that sees 100% French oak.
Thanks and that’s a great value indeed. The only two other wineries currently making a SVD Amoenus Cabernet Sauvignon are Arkenstone and Maybach.
I would think the fruit going into the straight NV wine are younger vines and obviously the ones not making the cut for the SVD Amoenus. I’m no longer in the club but think the price on the SVD is under $150 and it’s a great wine. 97 from AG for the 21
Definitely, but it’s still coming from a great Vineyard plus that price of under $50 is very tempting.
Without a doubt. It was always one of my top go to NV Cab’s and it’s great to see that the price is still under $50. Other peer NV wines in that range are now well above that.
Another great wine in that price range albeit quite a different style and profile is Frog’s Leap NV from Rutherford. Love that wine. The 16 right now is singing.
Great recommendation with Frog’s Leap especially if you want an “old-world” style and it’s readily available at plenty of supermarkets.
Where can you find it? Don’t find it on their site.
It’s not available on their website, but readily availble online (wine-searcher is your friend).
Frog’s Leap or Turnbull ?
FL can be found in the wild less than standard release and around what the Club price is. Club has some great advantages though including club only wines and library releases.
Ill take a look thanks
The NV is not offered at the winery. Turnbull calls it their “retail wine”. However, club members can have it sold to them at, if I recall correctly, 20% off. Total Wine always has it, but you can find it elsewhere. I echo the endorsement of TB wines.
Thanks for the info. I will pick up a bottle at Total Wine just to try!
