Silver Oak began over a handshake between two friends with a bold vision: focus on one varietal, Cabernet Sauvignon, aged exclusively in American oak and worthy of cellaring for decades to come.

Raymond Twomey Duncan, a Colorado entrepreneur who began investing in California vineyards in the late 1960s, and Justin Meyer, a winemaker and former Christian Brother, began in a Napa Valley dairy barn in 1972, producing only 1,100 cases of their inaugural vintage.

Over the next two decades, Silver Oak grew in popularity. Their Napa Valley and Alexander Valley Cabernets sold quickly upon their release from the winery and became a sought-after staple on restaurant wine lists around the country. After selecting Daniel Baron to succeed him as winemaker in 1994, Justin retired, selling his share of Silver Oak to the Duncan family in 2001.

Today, Silver Oak farms more than 400 acres of vines in Napa Valley and Alexander Valley with a leading-edge approach toward precision viticulture, allowing them to give their vines exactly what they need, when they need it. All of their estate vineyards are certified under California’s Sustainable Wine growing program.

For 40 years, they’ve been producing exceptional, food-friendly Cabernets that are extensively aged to be drinkable upon release. Perfect for big dinners or impromptu celebrations, their Alexander Valley and Napa Valley Cabernet wines are as distinctive as they are delicious.

The Cabs:

Alexander Valley: 2013

The Alexander Valley saw a relatively dry winter leading up to the 2013 growing season, with barely 20 inches of rain recorded. Though the season began early, significant frost never materialized. Summer was mild, with only a few days reaching triple digits.  Grapes were harvested on a steady progression through the region, as neither heat spells nor threats of rain forced their hand. This allowed their winemaking team to pick when ripeness was in perfect balance. Drought conditions, coupled with low soil moisture and moderate temperatures during the summer and fall, created a vintage that will be remembered for structured and concentrated wines. Harvest in Alexander Valley took almost exactly a month, starting on September 11th and concluding on October 10th.

The 2013 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is garnet in color with a ruby red rim. It has an alluring nose of blackberry bramble, baking spices and black olive. Aromas of vanilla, cassis and sage fill the glass, revealing the influence of American oak barrel aging. On the palate, notes of raspberry are complemented with lingering acidity and a finish of dusty, silky tannins. Given proper cellaring, this wine will provide drinking pleasure through 2036.

The Alexander Valley Cab sells for $72 on our list.  A stand-a-lone bottle price for a case is $62.  Save $100 per case.

Napa Valley: 2012

The 2012 vintage was broadly described as outstanding, exceptional, ideal and a gift from Mother Nature. This is the first of three consecutive heralded vintages. The dry winter was the beginning of the extended drought period in California, but well-timed rainfall in February and March, as well as two inches in mid-April, filled the soil profile before the coming season. Bud-break was even and bloom progressed quickly, leading to clusters with both high quality and high quantity potential.

The 2012 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon artfully combines the classic elegance of the old world and the ripe fruit of California. It displays an opaque garnet color with a bouquet driven by fruity aromas of blackberry liqueur and hoisin sauce. It also offers the savory components of sage and molasses. These complex aromatics are complemented by sandalwood and nutmeg characteristics indicative of American oak aging. This is a well-structured wine with a compact and rich mid-palate buttressed by silky tannins and generous acidity. Given proper cellaring, this wine will provide drinking pleasure through 2037.

The Napa Valley Cab sells for $110 on our list.  A stand-a-lone bottle price for a case is $100. Save $120 per case.

Mix and Match a case of the two cabs and receive a 5% discount.  This offer is for a limited time only.

Ordering:

For all questions and orders, contact Wine Director, Jeff McCarthy. Let us know if you would like your wine shipped or placed in your wine locker. Sales tax and appropriate shipping will be added to all orders. Allow 2-3 weeks for account processing and shipping. During extreme weather, wine orders may be held until it is safe to ship.

Jeff McCarthy, Wine Director 
[email protected]
707.569.2906