The Ultimate Thanksgiving Wine: Silver Oak
Enjoy this “Wine Spotlight” on one of our fave Californian estates: Silver Oak- their Alexander Valley Cab Sauv is the ULTIMATE delicious wine to enjoy with your family at the table this Thanksgiving.
There are very few wineries in the Napa Valley that are as loved by locals as much as Silver Oak Cellars and with good reason! In a seemingly effortless way, Silver Oak’s winemaker Daniel Baron produces two delicious, well-structured, and food-friendly Cabernets that age for decades and yet, can be enjoyed from a young age. Vintage after vintage surpasses expectations — Silver Oak’s wines are hard to beat for opulence, consistency, and value.
Silver Oak’s allure runs far deeper than its delicious wines; its history is inspiring too. The estate was established as a partnership between Ray Duncan, an oil and gas tycoon, and the late Justin Meyer, a former monk and Spanish teacher, no less! Justin met Ray Duncan in 1972, who had bravely brought 600 acres of land in the Napa and Alexander Valley appellations. Justin had been working as the winemaker at the Christian Brothers property, and Ray knew he wanted to produce wine but needed a helping hand to get his project started. A handshake between the two men sealed the deal; Justin would plant and manage the vineyards in return for Ray’s blessing in constructing a formidable winery — so Silver Oak was born.
These two men have invested their life and soul into the project, driven by a dedication to producing two powerful yet supple Cabernet Sauvignons that would rival the best wines in the Valley. To that end, they planted extensively in the Napa and Alexander Valleys. They finished construction of their Oakville winery in 1981, and in 1992 they purchased a Tudor-style estate in Geyserville that would become the site of their Alexander Valley winery. As the wines increasingly won critical and consumer acclaim, Justin and Ray forged relationships with only the best growers in the region; the fruit quality is paramount at Silver Oak!
Sadly, Justin Meyer died in 2002; Daniel Baron had taken over those reins some years before and continues to produce wines of substance and quality. The estate has remained in family control, and its single-minded vision is admirable, to craft Cult Cabernet wines that are accessible to all. This is not Screaming Eagle territory (small quantities — sky-high prices). However, the style is classic Californian: the wines are rich, ripe, and indulgent but offer a lovely, rounded texture and supple tannins. Outstanding wines from an exceptional property.
Wines (Recent Vintages, the composition of the Napa Valley wines may vary vintage-to-vintage)
2007 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
- 90% Cabernet Sauvignon
- 6% Merlot
- 3% Petit Verdot
- 1% Cabernet Franc
Produced from premium vineyards across different locations in the Napa Valley appellation and fermented in stainless steel tanks, the wines were blended in 2008 and aged in 100% new American oak barrels for 25 months. The wine is then aged for 20 months in bottle before release; a cult wine with excellent aging potential but accessible on release.
2007 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
- 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Produced from premium vineyards in the Alexander Valley AVA and fermented in stainless steel tanks, the different wines were blended in 2008 and aged in 50% new and 50% once-used American oak barrels for 25 months. The wine is then aged for 15 months in bottle before release.
Winery Contact Details:
Address: Silver Oak, 915 Oakville Crossroad,Oakville, California, 94562, USAEmail: info@silveroak.comWebsite: www.silveroak.com
Winery Info:
Founded: 1972Owners: Duncan familyWinemaker: Daniel BaronThe area under Vine: Napa Valley, 52 hectares. Alexander Valley, 55 hectares.Oak: American oak barrelsAge of Vines: Napa Valley: 12–14 years; Alexander Valley, 15–20 years.Grape Varietals: Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Petit Syrah,Production: 100,000 cases per annum
About Cellar Tours:
Cellar Tours specializes in customized Food & Wine Tours for couples and small groups. Our luxury tours are 100% tailored to your tastes and needs. You will have a private driver; stay in elegant, historical, and boutique hotels; enjoy intimate wine tastings at top wineries; dine in the most exclusive restaurants; and take in captivating scenery of lush vineyards, dramatic coastlines, and charming villages. Find out more at www.cellartours.com
