Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1997

"89,Wine AdvocateThe 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley is a dense purple color with boisterous, sweet, spicy, new oak, licorice, and olive notes. This flamboyant wine tastes lighter than I would have expected for a 1997. In the mouth, it reveals medium body, sweet jammy cherry fruit, and a soft finish. It needs to be drunk over the next 7-8 years. By the way, the Alexander Valley cuvees are always 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. "

October 2008

In stock

November 2009

this cabernet is my favorite american wine ever on his best vintage. alexander valley is almost like a woman (Napa will be the man) complex, different flavor, various taste, perfect finish

October 2007

The 1997 Alexander Valley is a wine of great intensity and balance. It has a dark garnet color and a rich nose of blackberry jam, licorice, sandalwood and ginger. It has a juicy, full attack with loads of berry character, excellent body and a long, rich, fruity finish. It will improve for 15 years given proper cellaring.The 1997 wines were fermented in stainless steel tanks at maximum temperatures of 86 degrees. Malolactic fermentations were conducted in tank. Blends were made and the wine was barreled down in early 1998. The Alexander Valley is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and was aged in 50% new and read more...50% once used American oak barrels for approximately thirty months before bottling.The 1997 growing season was marked by extremes-floods, early budbreak, heat waves and high yields. Nevertheless, we made some of the most outstanding wines in recent memory.Early winter rainfall was extremely high and we had flooding of some vineyards on New Year's Day. Spring was dry and we had the earliest budbreak in memory. Bloom was quite early and very fast and even. This quick bloom translated into high yields and even maturity.Late in July, summer came on with a vengeance and in the first week of August we had temperatures as high as 111 degrees. We began picking in Alexander Valley on August 26th, about two weeks early. We discovered, as we began harvest, that our yields were quite high and that all the vineyards were ripe at once. These factors made scheduling of picking and crushing very challenging. Weather conditions in September were dicey at times with a few minor showers, threats of rain and mild heat spells, but overall, excellent harvesting and ripening weather prevailed and we were done picking in Alexander valley on September 29th.    (hide)

... dense purple color with boisterous, sweet, spicy, new oak, licorice, and olive notes...In the mouth, it reveals medium body, sweet jammy cherry fruit, and a soft finish... Robert Parker. A Cabernet Sauvignon wine from California in USA. 1997 Silver Oak Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley 750ml

January 2009

Many will rate the Napa Valley Silver Oak higher than Alexander Valley. For those that like an earthier Cabernet Savignon, whose nose makes you feel like you are right there in the vineyard, you cannot find a better wine than Silver Oak. It cellars well and the 1997 is spectacular....a good year the world over. I keep a fair amount in the cellar waiting for special occasions. Silver Oak has never let me down.

March 2008