2015 Silver Oak Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley Mangum (1.5 L) Magnum

Silver Oak’s 1-2 Punch: Early Release. Magnums.

Las month, we shared our interview with Silver Oak’s Matt Duncan, the third generation behind America’s First Family of wine. It was in that interview Matt said something we won’t forget: “There is so much talent pouring into the California wine business, I think the quality bar keeps getting higher and higher. Anything less than world-class just doesn’t cut it.” 

It’s that attitude, and commitment to producing nothing less than excellence, that’s made Silver Oak synonymous with “fine wine” over the last four decades, and why we jump at any and every chance to share their exquisite wines. 

While they last, they’re yours for the taking: classic, beautifully crafted Cabernet Sauvignon from one of California’s finest sites, a one-two combination that will beef up the cellar of any California Cabernet collector. Perfect occasions for impressive, conversation-piece bottles, and Wine Access is the only place you’ll find these bottles together.

In fact, Matt and the folks at Silver Oak are so confident these wines will be great in ten years, they are pouring decade-old Cabs from their tasting room itself. As Matt reminded us recently, “The wines we’re making today are built to last at least 25 years, and we guarantee it.”

Though the Duncan guarantee is golden, we’ve tasted the 2015 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabs, and (if you’re anything like us) these will be hard to cellar: The 2015 was grown in Robert Parker’s absolutely stellar 97-point 2015 vintage, lending this Cab the rich, seamless drinkability that has made Silver Oak a legend. With its striking black core, attractive ruby rim, and aromas of blueberry, black plums, vanilla, rose petals, and clove, this wine announces itself out of the gate. The mouthfeel offers supple, tightly packed tannins, flavors of crushed berries and vanilla, and the whole experience lingers on the palate long after sipping. 

Silver Oak, in its four-plus decades, has become synonymous with high-quality Napa Cabernet, and though the estate made its name a long time ago, they have managed to stay on top, in a valley where the standard of excellence keeps going up. It’s just like the saying goes: Work hard to get it. Work harder to keep it. 

Silver Oak has kept its place at the top with an unwavering commitment to their principles, and to their style: They use estate-grown and carefully sourced fruit from Sonoma County’s Alexander Valley. The wine is aged for two years in 50% new and 50% once-used American oak barrels, which are now produced at Silver Oak’s own Missouri cooperage. And of course—and maybe most counterintuitive for most wineries—Silver Oak doesn’t rush the new vintage to market, but allows their wine 15 months in bottle.

That quality and that consistency is why you see Silver Oak on a table in just about every steakhouse from coast to coast. It’s why we’re honored to have access to this Cabernet straight out of the Silver Oak cellar, and why Wine Access members would be wise to act fast.