2018 Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California (750ml)   

Silver Oak's Napa Cabernet is invariably a deeper, more powerful wine than its sleek Alexander Valley brother. It also is much smaller production, so not as widely available.

Here are the winery's notes on the 2018 vintage: "Our 2015 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is comprised of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon,15.2% Merlot, 5.1% Cabernet Franc, 3.2% Petit Verdot, 0.5% Malbec. After blending in early 2019, our 2018 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon was transferred to American oak barrels from our cooperage, The Oak, where it aged for 24 months. Blending before barrel aging—a signature of our winemaking style—allows blends to be based on the inherent qualities of their vineyard components before oak influence. It was then aged for an additional 24 months in bottle before being released in February of 2023. Vintage to vintage, the resulting Cabernets emerge integrated and ready to drink upon release."