Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1997

The 1997 growing season was marked by extremes. Despite floods, early budbreak, heat waves and high yields, we made some of the most exciting wine in recent memory. Early winter rainfall was abundant and we experienced flooding in some vineyards on New Year's day. Spring was dry and budbreak was the earliest in memory. Bloom was quite early and very fast and even. The quick bloom translated into high yields and even maturity. Veraison (the coloring and softening of the fruit) was about ten days early. Summer came on with a vengeance and in the first week of August temperatures soared to as high as 111 degrees. Some young vines suffered, but the more established vineyards had deep enough roots to weather the heat. We picked a young Merlot vineyard on August 7th, but did not begin picking in earnest until September 4th, about a week early. As we began harvest, we discovered our yields were quite high and that all the vineyards were ripe at once. These factors made the scheduling of picking and crushing very challenging. Weather conditions in September were dicy at times with a few minor showers, threats of rain and mild heat spells. In general, excellent harvest and ripening weather prevailed and we were done picking by September 29th. Winemaking: The 1997 wines were fermented in stainless steel tanks at temperatures of 86 degrees. Malo-lactic fermentations were conducted in tanks. After blending, the wine was barreled down in early 1998 in new American oak barrels. Our 1997 Napa was aged 24 months in barrel, and then cellared another eighteen months in bottle before release on February 2nd, 2002. Tasting Notes: The 1997 Napa Valley is a wine of extraordinary intensity and depth. It has a very dark garnet color and a concentrated nose of cassis, roasting coffee, chocolate, violets and sandalwood. It is extremely rich on the palate, with a full body and a long, fruity intense finish. This Cabernet will continue to improve for 15 to 17 years given proper cellaring. 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot