Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Alexander Valley, California

2018 vintage – 94.8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4.2% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc. “Ruby in color, the 2018 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has notes of cassis, caramel, juniper and pomegranate. Lifted and vibrant on the nose, this wine is fresh on the palate with a juicy, fruit-forward core. Its silky mouthfeel will provide drinking pleasure through 2044 given proper cellaring. Like a sigh of relief, 2018 was a welcome change to previous vintages. Cooler spring temperatures and a light dusting of snow in the mountains around the winery set the theme for a near-perfect growing season: cooperative and slower-paced. By May, the soils were at capacity from winter and spring rains, and conditions were perfect for a long and even bloom. A generous fruit set – both in terms of cluster count and size – followed, and the ripening season was blessed with ‘natural air conditioning’ in the form of the Pacifi c fog layer in the evenings. is phase concluded with glorious warm and dry weather that allowed the grapes to achieve slow and synchronized physiological and aromatic maturity. With the abundant amount of fruit, harvest commenced in Alexander Valley on September 14 – about two weeks later than the previous vintages. 2018 was truly a stand-out vintage that’s accessible, young and commands great aging potential.