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: 2009 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

2009 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

SKU #1136350 92 points Decanter

Outer quote mark This was the first year the team used their new berry assessment protocol, which they credit for being able to harvest the grapes at peak flavour. Luckily that happened before a typhoon dropped 6 inches of rain on one day. It’s a mulberry, black cherry and earth kind of wine, with strong floral and graphite aromas. The long core of warm fruit is very sweet and spicy. (EM) Inner quote mark (9/2019)

K&L Notes

This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Silver Oak Cellars is sourced from several different vineyards in Alexander Valley. Rainfall in May made up for the dry winter, prolonging the growing season and making for ideal late ripening conditions for Cabernet. As is custom, the finest lots were blended into 50% new American oak barrels to age for 24 months. The moderate treatment of specifically American oak highlights the wine's distinct Alexander Valley terroir and minerality, rather than creating an undue influence on the wine's profile. Another 15 months of bottle aging at the winery smooths tannins and adds layers of complexity. Historically the Alexander Valley bottling is drinkable upon release but has the structure and stuffing to age. From the winery: "Our 2009 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a complex wine with berry and floral aromatics and a lovely structure. It has a dark, ruby color and a vibrant nose of black cherry, wisteria and sweet baking spices. On the palate, the wine is elegant and expressive and echoes the berry, floral and spice notes from the nose. It has a classic structure of fine grained tannins and a long, layered finish. Given proper cellaring, this wine should give drinking pleasure through 2032."

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2009 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Price: $109.99

Quantity:

DC: 92

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Varietal:

Cabernet Sauvignon and Blends

- Cabernet Sauvignon has come a long way from its role as a blending varietal, however dominant, in the wines of Bordeaux. Today it is the most planted red varietal in the world. Identified as a descendent of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, the late-ripening Cabernet Sauvignon needs to be planted in warmer climates to fully ripen. Its small berries can easily be identified for their distinctive blue color, thick skins and high tannins. And while the varietal has its own definitive characteristics: green pepper-like aromas and black currant flavors among them, it is perhaps most prized for its ability to convey terroir, vintage and winemaking. A relatively new varietal, Cabernet Sauvignon started making inroads into the wines of the Médoc and Graves in the late-18th century. Today it is also dominant in the up-and-coming Entre-Deux-Mers region of Bordeaux and can also be found in Southwest France. It is the companion varietal to Sangiovese in Italy's Super Tuscans and is planted all over Europe, stretching to lesser-known winegrowing regions like Russia and Lebanon. In the Americas Cabernet Sauvignon has found champions in every nook and cranny of California and among winemakers in Washington, where it complements plantings of Merlot. In South America, Cab thrives in Chile, but can also be found in smaller amounts in Argentina and even in Mexico.

Country:

United States

- When people consider domestic wine, they normally think about the state of California. The fine viticultural Region within California, including the Napa Valley, Sonoma, Santa Cruz Mountains, Mendocino and Santa Barbara, are capable of growing grapes of world-class quality. But there's plenty of fabulous wine coming from other states, too. Oregon, Washington and New York are also causing eyebrows (and glassware) to be raised around the world.

Sub-Region:

California

- With the explosive growth that California's wine industry has seen the past several years, it's easy to view winemaking and grape growing in the Golden State as a recent phenomenon. And while it's true that California's viticultural history is brief compared to several European countries, this state's roots date back well over 200 years. Due to the enormous response to California wine within the United States and worldwide, there are thousands of excellent and diverse wines being produced within the state each year.

Specific Appellation:

Alexander Valley/Russian River

- Among Sonoma County's northernmost appellations, the Alexander Valley AVA acts as a gateway to neighboring Napa to the east and Mendocino to the north. It is a sprawling appellation, with pockets of distinct microclimates and soils, and as such, is home to a variety of wine grapes and styles. Nearly everything grows in the Alexander Valley, though Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay are the most widely planted grapes. The Russian River Valley lies to the south of Alexander Valley, and is marked by much cooler temperatures and frequently heavy fog. The Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grown here are some of the state's finest and most sought-after. Aromatic whites like Gewürztraminer and Riesling can also be successful, and sparkling wine production has a long history in the area.

Alcohol Content (%):

13.9