Silver Oak
Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA
A blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot and the rest Petit Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc, blended then aged for 24 months in 50% new and 50% once-used American oak. Deep Ruby with slight purple hue color, youthful aromas of black fruit, sweet cacao and complex spice. On the palate flavors of rich ripe juicy berries and cherries, a core of sweet fruit with oak and vanilla notes. The wine has nicely integrated firm and graceful tannins on a long finish. This wine is displaying primary fruits on its ending and just beginning to develop some secondary aging, has a long way age and develop, but very approachable to enjoy now. Excellent, Tasting Sample!
A blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot and the rest Petit Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc, blended then aged for 24 months in 50% new and 50% once-used American oak. Deep Ruby with slight purple hue color, youthful aromas of black fruit, sweet cacao and complex spice. On the palate flavors of rich ripe juicy berries and cherries, a core of sweet fruit with oak and vanilla notes. The wine has nicely integrated firm and graceful tannins on a long finish. This wine is displaying primary fruits on its ending and just beginning to develop some secondary aging, has a long way age and develop, but very approachable to enjoy now. Excellent, Tasting Sample!
Nov 26th, 2019A blend of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Merlot, blended then aged for 24 months in 50% new and 50% once-used American oak. Deep Ruby color with aromas of black fruit, licorice and minty floral notes. The palate beautifully displays rich ripe blackberry and black cherry, a hint of sweetness, vivid acidity and the right touch of toasty vanilla oak, still youthful in development. The wine has nicely integrated tannins, still holds some grip on a long finish which should give way to let this wine age for the next decade+. Excellent, Tasting Sample!
A blend of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Merlot, blended then aged for 24 months in 50% new and 50% once-used American oak. Deep Ruby color with aromas of black fruit, licorice and minty floral notes. The palate beautifully displays rich ripe blackberry and black cherry, a hint of sweetness, vivid acidity and the right touch of toasty vanilla oak, still youthful in development. The wine has nicely integrated tannins, still holds some grip on a long finish which should give way to let this wine age for the next decade+. Excellent, Tasting Sample!
Nov 26th, 2019
Enjoyed trying this after the ‘91 Montelena. Similarities and differences. Picked up signature American oak here with notes of herbs and dill, but not as much of the coconut smell I normally get (maybe that fades with age?). Focused. Leather, baked black cherry pie, muddled rhubarb, bayleaf. Soft and round with very nice depth. Lingering finish. I thought this outdid the ‘85 it was next to quite easily (though that bottle may have been flawed).
Enjoyed trying this after the ‘91 Montelena. Similarities and differences. Picked up signature American oak here with notes of herbs and dill, but not as much of the coconut smell I normally get (maybe that fades with age?). Focused. Leather, baked black cherry pie, muddled rhubarb, bayleaf. Soft and round with very nice depth. Lingering finish. I thought this outdid the ‘85 it was next to quite easily (though that bottle may have been flawed).
Sep 29th, 2019
The Alexander Valley Cab is light enough for a pork chop, still keeping a good amount of boldness. Great pairing
The Alexander Valley Cab is light enough for a pork chop, still keeping a good amount of boldness. Great pairing
Sep 21st, 2019Monthly WTF wine group night. Our theme was American oak vs French oak. All wines tasted blind. We started off with two bottles of bubbly and finished with two non-themed reds.
I’ve had the AV ‘07 a few times over the last year and notes are consistent. Classic American oak notes of dill and coconut, with tobacco leaves and dusty blackberries. Balanced. Palate showed cocoa dusted dates, fig, and blackberries. I called this Cali cab with American oak. Thanks @Benjamin Keator
Monthly WTF wine group night. Our theme was American oak vs French oak. All wines tasted blind. We started off with two bottles of bubbly and finished with two non-themed reds.
I’ve had the AV ‘07 a few times over the last year and notes are consistent. Classic American oak notes of dill and coconut, with tobacco leaves and dusty blackberries. Balanced. Palate showed cocoa dusted dates, fig, and blackberries. I called this Cali cab with American oak. Thanks @Benjamin Keator
Good. Fruit forward. Has high notes; less pronounced low notes/stone fruit. Reliable if not edgy.
Good. Fruit forward. Has high notes; less pronounced low notes/stone fruit. Reliable if not edgy.
Aug 30th, 2019
My boy Fran’s birthday was last night...
My boy Fran’s birthday was last night...
May 20th, 2019
Solid, muddled fruit wrapped in American oak. No formal notes but seems to be cruising past its prime drinking window (for me)
Solid, muddled fruit wrapped in American oak. No formal notes but seems to be cruising past its prime drinking window (for me)
May 19th, 2019