Announcing the Release of 2004 Silver Oak AV
Silver Oak (#32 of
Once again, Silver Oak devotees will gather at the gates of the
The 2004 Vintage ("91" Parker, "85-95" WS) was superb, with a small crop and warm growing conditions producing fruit with intense flavor and concentration. Unfortunately, as a result of lighter yields, availability of S-O's 2004 AV is far more limited than in the past.
Due to higher fuel costs and limited yields, Silver Oak is instituting a modest price increase (their first in seven years) with the 2004 vintage; the retail on the Alexander Valley has a suggested price of $70/Bottle, however we are discounting the wine on a 6-bottle case to $66. and change (still a serious bargain).
The vintage showed up early and went out with a bang...
The 2004 growing season started with popcorn (bud-break) showing earlier than at any other time in S-O's history. Once the shoots started growing, bloom, veraison, (when the grapes turn from green to pink to red) and ripening all occurred nearly three weeks ahead of their normal schedule. This early start coincided with an equally early harvest with over-all tonnage down significantly. Very little morning fog found its way into the valley during late July and early August allowing the fruit to rapidly reach maturity hence picking to begin in mid September. In most years, harvest at S-O takes between 6-8 weeks however in 2004 all the fruit was safely in the tanks in less than 3. Just for laughs a heat wave combined with a large forest fire adjacent to the Miraval Ranch vineyard put an exclamation point on the year and made for an exciting, nerve-wracking, and (very) memorable crush.
The 2004 AV (100% Cabernet Sauvignon) is a blend from several outstanding properties in the verdant
Kind of like Lafitte in a paper cup... (Kind of)
I used to be able to afford and enjoy Silver Oak Cabernets nearly every Thursday evening as a member of the Geyserville Kiwanis Club (I even spent a year as president but the guys from Willits kept stealin' my bell). S-O'S vineyard manager (and helluva nice guy) Dane Petersen was also a member and he'd often grab the near-empty bottles from the tasting room after it closed for the day and share them with us during our weekly meetings. Nothing like cold ham sandy's, homemade potato salad and a splash of Silver Oak Cabernet.
"92"/RC...Dan Baron's (S-O's longtime winemaker) 2004 is a refined and complex wine that combines subtlety and depth. It has a dark purple-ruby color with a deep red-blue edge and displays aromas of fresh blackberries, violets, cola, nutmeg and licorice. When taking your first sip you'll be impressed by this beauty's juicy, berry-infused and lightly spiced introduction. The tannins are there but you have to look for them, the finish is long, sexy and textured with a wonderful aftertaste of ripe and warm Cabernet fruit just plucked off the vine, cassis, Concord grape juice, baking spices, sweet vanillin oak and a hint of coconut (a common component when using American barrels). Silver Oak Cabs generally start off very user-friendly, gain complexity over a 4-6 year period and reach their peak (drink em'!) in 10-12.
What does Parker say about the AV?
"Silver Oak's AV Cabernets are supple, explosively fruity and deliver copious quantities of glycerin, extract and richness wrapped in generous amounts of American Oak. Critics have argued that the wine does not age particularly well, but that has largely been proven a myth. I doubt it will last as long as Montelena, Dunn or other
Of the 2004 in particular, he says "The (excellent) 2004 Alexander Valley cuvee is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in new oak; the well-made wine is herbaceous, with sweet red and black currant fruit, spice box and tell-tale oakiness, this is a wine to drink over the first decade of its life".
Again, the 2004 truly is a restricted commodity however because of our long-standing relationship with S-O I believe we will be able to accommodate all of your needs.
*6 Bottle Case of 2004 Silver Oak Cabernet - $400
*12 Bottle Case - $785.00
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