Ratings & Tasting Notes:
96 points Decanter
Review Date: 12/2023
A beautifully compact wine that delivers complex and nuanced aromas of Bing cherry and black raspberry with tobacco, currant leaf, and cedarwood laced with dried sage. Cool raspberry, cherry, and blackberry fruit are perfectly represented, and the lengthy finish is crisp, lively, and energetic. (JC)
95 points James Suckling
Review Date: 01/2024
So elegant, supple and silky, this vintage is a dream to drink now, but should also have plenty of life ahead of it. Aromas of blueberries and dark chocolate meld with luxe black fruit, mint and cocoa on the palate. A blend of 77% cabernet sauvignon, 18% merlot and dashes of cabernet franc and petit verdot.
Cult Wines International Notes:
The 2019 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon serves as a landmark release for the estate, which has been a definitive force in American winemaking since its founding in 1972. Established through a partnership between Ray Duncan and Justin Meyer, the winery was built on the then-unconventional conviction that high-end Cabernet Sauvignon should be aged exclusively in American oak to achieve a silkier, more approachable texture and a signature vanillin profile. Over the last five decades, the house has deepened this commitment by acquiring its own cooperage in Missouri to ensure total control over the seasoning and toasting of every barrel. The 2019 vintage is particularly significant for the winemaking team, led by Nate Weis, as it marked a breakthrough in their oak-seasoning experiments. By extending the air-drying of the oak staves to 24 months and perfecting a specific 90-minute toast, the winery achieved a more savory, integrated structure that critics have hailed as one of the most precise and age-worthy renditions in the house’s history.
The 2019 growing season in Napa Valley is widely regarded as a “classic” vintage, characterized by a long, steady progression that favored elegance and balance. The year began with a wet winter and a cool spring, which delayed bud break but provided the vines with ample water reserves to sustain healthy canopy growth through the summer. The region avoided the extreme heatwaves and fire disruptions that complicated other North Coast harvests, enjoying a moderate summer that allowed the fruit to accumulate flavor and complexity at a gradual pace. This extended “hang time” was essential for the Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot lots sourced from premier estate sites like Soda Canyon Ranch and Jump Rock, as it preserved a vibrant acidity and fine-grained tannins. Harvesting took place under ideal conditions, resulting in fruit with exceptional purity and a concentrated intensity that seamlessly complements the refined American oak aging process.
Bottle Size:
750 mL
Storage History:
Always stored on its side in a climate-controlled cellar.
Condition:
Outstanding condition.
Please note: The condition of the bottle you will receive is accurately reflected by the one shown in the images.
