Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2002

Number 21 on the Wine.com 100 of 2007!

Silver Oak has consistently produced some of the most sought-after, highly regarded Cabernet Sauvignons in the world. Since the early 1970's, their goal has been to craft full-flavored Cabernets with velvety soft textures. The zealous devotion of their customers is a testament to their success. True to the Silver Oak style, the 2002 is an opulent wine with dark chocolate, berry liqueur and black plum flavors and aromas. A great vintage, a great wine – for the wine enthusiast, collector or as the perfect gift.

Silver Oak Cellars 2002 Napa Valley is a blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot. It was blended in early 2003 and transferred from tank to 100% new American oak barrels for aging. Silver Oak blends prior to barreling to achieve a balance of the wine's natural elements, such as fruit and tannin, before they are influenced by oak. The wine is aged in barrel for approximately 25 months to harmonize its components, and another 20 months in bottle before its release.

Silver Oak 2002 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is an opulent wine of great depth and concentration. It displays a dark, garnet color and aromas of black plum, cassis liqueur, rose petals, nutmeg and sandalwood. The palate offers a mouth-coating texture and a wonderful progression of flavors from berry fruit to tobacco to dark chocolate, culminating in an extraordinarily long finish reminiscent of a dark chocolate truffle filled with berry liqueur. Properly cellared, it should provide drinking pleasure until 2028.