Silver Oak
Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA
This was the winery back in 1998 which moved me to start researching wine in more detail. Relatively speaking, this is still so youthful. Back in the day when Silver Oak didn’t deploy mechanical harvesting at that time. This is just incredible. Still fruit-forward and opulent. Look at the color in the glass - very little visual bricking. Some tertiary notes of leather and herbs. This is a beauty to behold. Drink or hold this vintage.
This was the winery back in 1998 which moved me to start researching wine in more detail. Relatively speaking, this is still so youthful. Back in the day when Silver Oak didn’t deploy mechanical harvesting at that time. This is just incredible. Still fruit-forward and opulent. Look at the color in the glass - very little visual bricking. Some tertiary notes of leather and herbs. This is a beauty to behold. Drink or hold this vintage.
May 25th, 2020
En magnum. Qualite frais et un peut vert mais pas mal pour la sol faluvial a presque 40 ans!
En magnum. Qualite frais et un peut vert mais pas mal pour la sol faluvial a presque 40 ans!
Mar 8th, 2020
Cedar, ripe pyrazene, quite a lot of new oak on the nose, dark currant, dark cherry, red cherry, medium plus acid, elevated smooth tannins, full body.
Cedar, ripe pyrazene, quite a lot of new oak on the nose, dark currant, dark cherry, red cherry, medium plus acid, elevated smooth tannins, full body.
Mar 3rd, 2020
All as expected; well balanced sweet berry chocolate over a little oak. Doesn’t knock your socks off but leaves you very satisfied.
All as expected; well balanced sweet berry chocolate over a little oak. Doesn’t knock your socks off but leaves you very satisfied.
Dec 27th, 2019Out of Jeroboam. Dark fruit still well intact. Could still age. Bramble, licorice.
Out of Jeroboam. Dark fruit still well intact. Could still age. Bramble, licorice.
Dec 13th, 2019
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