Silver Oak Cellars : Napa Valley "Cabernet Sauvignon" 2019

Characteristics and tasting notes for the Napa Valley "Cabernet Sauvignon" 2019 by Silver Oak Cellars

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays a deep ruby-red color with bright highlights.

Nose

The nose reveals complex aromas of cherry and black raspberry, alongside notes of tobacco, blackcurrant leaf and cedarwood, subtly lifted by dried sage. With aeration, nuances of vanilla and toast emerge.

Palate

On the palate, this wine is medium- to full-bodied, with a linear, concentrated structure. Black-fruit flavors show generously, supported by exotic spices brought by the oak and a framework of fine, well-structured tannins. The balance is remarkable, with perfectly integrated notes of vanilla and cocoa. The finish stands out for its vibrancy and length, with lingering aromas of raspberry, cherry and blackberry.

Food and wine pairings

The Napa Valley "Cabernet Sauvignon" 2019 is an ideal match for grilled meats, especially a quality beef steak. It also pairs perfectly with braised ribs, aged firm cheeses, or flavorful mushroom-based dishes. Red meats and game, such as venison, also make excellent pairings.

Serving and cellaring

This Napa Valley "Cabernet Sauvignon" 2019 can be enjoyed now and will continue to evolve until around 2038, or even beyond depending on storage conditions. Decanting for one hour helps aerate the wine and fully reveal its aromatic complexity.

An iconic Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon aged in American oak

The estate

Founded in 1972 by Ray Duncan and Justin Meyer, Silver Oak Cellars has established itself as one of the most distinctive Cabernet Sauvignon producers in California. Since its inception, the estate has upheld a unique philosophy: producing exclusively Cabernet Sauvignon aged in American oak barrels. Today, the domaine is led by David and Tim Duncan, the founder’s sons, who carry this vision forward while continually innovating. Silver Oak farms more than 400 acres of vineyards across Napa Valley and Alexander Valley. The estate also stands out for its exceptional environmental commitment, with facilities certified LEED Platinum and Living Building Challenge. In 2015, Silver Oak became the first American winery to own its own cooperage, The Oak, located in Missouri.

The vineyard

The Napa Valley "Cabernet Sauvignon" 2019 comes from several carefully selected vineyards throughout the valley. Soda Canyon Ranch, acquired in 1999, forms the backbone of the blend. Located at the intersection of four distinct sub-appellations (Atlas Peak, Oak Knoll District, Stags Leap District and Coombsville), this vineyard benefits from an elevated position on the lower foothills of the Vaca Range, in a warm, dry microclimate tempered by the cooling influence of San Pablo Bay. The volcanic soils show remarkable geological diversity, ranging from shallow, rocky deposits ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon to more fertile, clay-rich soils suited to Merlot. Jump Rock Vineyard, located at 1,500 feet of elevation in the Atlas Peak appellation, brings intense blackberry and blackcurrant aromas along with structural richness. Navone Vineyard in St. Helena, a partner for more than 40 years, completes the blend with its gravelly, silty soils.

The vintage

The 2019 growing season in California offered generally favorable conditions despite a few early-season challenges. Spring was marked by heavy rainfall, raising concerns about downy mildew and shatter (coulure). Fortunately, a long, moderate summer—characterized by warm, sunny days without excessive heat spikes—allowed the vines to recover. The grapes reached excellent ripeness with the concentration and balance needed to produce a high-quality wine.

Winemaking and ageing

The Napa Valley "Cabernet Sauvignon" 2019 was made according to Silver Oak’s rigorous protocols. After parcel-by-parcel vinification, the wine was aged for two years in American oak barrels, with 80% new oak and 20% once-filled barrels (one wine). For this vintage, the barrels were made from American oak seasoned for 24 months and toasted for 90 minutes—an adjustment from the previous vintage aimed at optimizing tannin integration and developing more pronounced vanilla notes. This high proportion of new oak, greater than that used for the Alexander Valley cuvée, reflects the more powerful structure and fruit-driven character of Napa Valley grapes. After barrel ageing, the wine underwent an additional two years of bottle ageing prior to release, in keeping with Silver Oak’s philosophy of offering only fully mature wines ready to be enjoyed.

Grape varieties

Cabernet Sauvignon (76.61%), Merlot (18.13%), Cabernet Franc (2.56%), Petit Verdot (2.32%), Malbec (0.38%)