2005 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5L)

SKU #1049546 92 points Wine & Spirits

A classic Alexander Valley cabernet, this is dark and cedary, and as smooth as velvet. The tannins last, built on black cherry-skin flavor and earthy, root-vegetable notes. With time, that black cherry flavor should become more prominent, balancing the wine's earthy complexities. Drink this over the next several years with anything meaty, from duck and game birds to steak. (12/ 2010)

Wine Enthusiast

Bone dry, this wine shows the soft, dusty tannins and herbal flavors that classically mark Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. It has an elegant structure housing flavors of blackberries, currants, sage, tobacco and cedar, and should develop in the bottle over the next 6–8 years. (12/ 2009)

K&L Notes

Since all the way back to 1972 Silver Oak has been bottling Cabernet Sauvignon from Alexander Valley. In fact they were one of the first to champion the now well know region of Alexander Valley by putting it on their label. While their Napa Valley bottling has garnered more attention, and possibly press over the years, we think the Alexander Valley bottling is still one of the best Cabs out there for the money. At about half the price of the Napa bottling, and with many other Alexander Valley producers charging more for their wines, this bottling looks more and more like a smart buy for anyone looking for a quality-driven name brand that can be enjoyed just as much young as it can once it gains some dust in the cellar. Plus we shouldn't have to tell you about the amazing Cabernet fruit the 2005 vintage produced at this point. We've been hammering wines from the vintage down your throat for well over a year now; consider this another nail in the proverbial coffin. (Bryan Brick, K&L Wine Merchants)