2019 Silver Oak - Cabernet Sauvignon Napa (750ml)

Silver Oak was founded in 1972 by Ray Duncan and Justin Meyer with a singular focus that still defines the winery today: crafting Cabernet Sauvignon aged exclusively in American oak and released only once it's ready to drink. Now led by David and Tim Duncan, the sons of founder Ray Duncan, Silver Oak farms more than 400 acres across Napa and Alexander Valleys. In 2015 the estate became the first American winery to own its own cooperage, based in Missouri, giving the team direct control over the oak used in aging every vintage.

This 2019 Napa Valley bottling blends Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot, along with small amounts of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec, sourced from vineyards across the valley including the estate's own Jump Rock and Soda Canyon sites. Winemaker Nate Weis refined the American oak seasoning process for this vintage, settling on 24 months of air-drying and a 90-minute toast that shifted the wine toward a more savory, precise style. After two years in barrel, the wine spent additional time aging in bottle before release.

The nose offers black cherry, huckleberry, and dry floral notes, with vanilla and a touch of sweet nutmeg from the oak. Silky tannins carry the wine through a fruit-forward mid-palate into a long, balanced finish. It's a natural fit for a grilled ribeye, slow-roasted lamb, or a hearty wild boar ragu.