Winemaker Notes
The 2016 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is ruby in color with a magenta rim. It has an enticing nose of cassis, blackberry, vanilla, sage and spearmint. Upon entry, this wine builds from potpourri and bramble to a bright pop of raspberry on the mid-palate. A juicy finish with chewy tannins and a medium length, it will provide drinking pleasure through 2042 with proper cellaring.
Blend: 94.6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlo, 0.5% Petit Verdot, 0.5% Cabernet Franc, 0.4% Malbec
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2016 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon started as an elusive entity before rising to the occasion and displaying its charms. TASTING NOTES: This wine offers red and black currants and oak in its aromas and flavors. It stays focused and vibrant on the palate before finishing with a razor-sharp and bright fruit aftertaste. Pair it with a lightly-seasoned, grilled ribeye. (Tasted: June 30, 2020, San Francisco, CA)
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Decanter
Concentrated and intense nose with dense blackcurrant fruit, elegant pencil shavings and herbal notes. Grippy tannins with cassis framed by vanilla oak.
A noble variety bestowed with both power and concentration, Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys success all over the globe, its best examples showing potential to age beautifully for decades. Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in Bordeaux's Medoc where it is often blended with Merlot and smaller amounts of some combination of Cabernet Franc, Malbecand Petit Verdot. In the Napa Valley, ‘Cab’ is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious, age-worthy and sought-after “cult” wines. Somm Secret—DNA profiling in 1997 revealed that Cabernet Sauvignon was born from a spontaneous crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in 17th century southwest France.
Nearly a northern extension of Napa Valley, Alexander Valley starts just north of the small, Knights Valley, and is just a few minutes drive from the Napa town of Calistoga. It is Sonoma County’s hottest AVA. But the Russian River, which runs through the valley, creates cooler pockets and its soft, alluvial soil is ideal for grape growing, especially Cabernet Sauvignon. In fact, some believe that Alexander Valley Cabernets truly rival the best from Napa Valley and many of the heavy-hitter producers have largely invested here.
In addition to Cabernet Sauvignon, which makes up over 50% of plantings, Merlot and old vine Zinfandel thrive here. Ample, fleshy Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc dominate white wine production. Some old-vine plantings of Grenache have also been discovered and more recent experiments with Sangiovese and Barbera show great promise.