Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
In my October tasting both 1993 Cabernets were more tannic and closed than the 1992s. The 1993 Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley offers up a whiff of herbs in its tight nose, followed by chocolatey, spicy, black-cherry, and cassis flavors, an exotic, medium to full-bodied, concentrated palate, and moderate tannin in the lusty finish. It does not possess the definition and structure of the Napa cuvee, but it is more forward and fleshy. These All-American Cabernet Sauvignons continue to be "can't miss" propositions with the majority of Cabernet lovers.
Family-owned for 50 years, Silver Oak produces Cabernets aged exclusively in American oak. Its exceptional, food-friendly wines are both drinkable upon release and worthy of cellaring for decades to come. Ray Duncan founded Silver Oak with Justin Meyer in 1972, and it’s now owned and operated by Ray’s sons, David and Tim, with a commitment to innovative and sustainable viticulture practices across its vineyard properties, winemaking facilities, tasting rooms and cooperage. Silver Oak Alexander Valley has been called the world's greenest winery by The San Francisco Chronicle. Constructed between 2012-2018 the winery was built around the production of just one wine: Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, a staple of restaurant lists nationwide for more than 45 years. Featuring panoramic views of Silver Oak’s 70 acres of prime Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards and surrounding 115-acre estate, the historic property features excellent volcanic soil profiles set amidst the rolling bench lands of Northern Sonoma County.
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.