Silver Oak 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley

Because Silver Oak only produces Cabernet Sauvignon from California's two best Cabernet microclimates, their wines are consistently outstanding and complex, brimming with ripe cassis flavors, carefully seasoned with toasty new oak. Because of their long relationships with growers they are able to source the best possible fruit from prime vineyards throughout Alexander Valley.

This wine, their latest release from the 2017 vintage in Alexander Valley is a very careful blend of 95.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3.6% Merlot, 0.5% Cabernet Franc, 0.3% Petit Verdot and 0.1% Malbec. In early 2018, the final blend was transferred to American oak barrels from their own cooperage, The Oak, where it aged for 24 months. Half the barrels were new, providing a subtle, layered expression of bay leaf, coconut and vanilla to our wines. Blending before barrel aging—a signature of our winemaking style—allows blends to be based on the inherent qualities of their vineyard components before oak influence. Vintage to vintage, the resulting Cabernets emerge integrated and ready to drink upon release.

James Suckling scored this 96 points saying "This is a big upgrade in finesse and clarity to such a popular, premium cabernet from Napa. It shows lots of blackberry, tar, cedar and oak-tree aromas that follow through to a full yet toned palate of fine, integrated tannins and a vivid finish. Owner David Duncan explained that the American oak they use in the wine for aging now comes 100% from their own barrel-making facilities, which tones down the vanilla character in the wine. Really impressive and delicious. It’s a joy to drink now, but can age."
Limited!