Cellar/Tasting Notes

A Classic California 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Silver Oak, the 2008 is a beautiful fruit-forward, full-bodied wine that captures the distinct characteristics of Alexander Valley. A favorite of Morrell customers.

Winery notes: Our 2008 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a dark, rich full-bodied wine with great tannic structure and mouth-feel. It has a garnet color and a nose of ripe boysenberries, cherry liqueur, dark chocolate, sandalwood and a hint of roasting meat. On the palate, it is mouth-coating and incredibly rich in umami. It has a very long, savory finish with the slight grip of fine-grained tannins. Given proper cellaring, this wine should give drinking pleasure through 2030.

Selected from several different vineyards throughout the appellation, is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. We blended the vineyard lots in early 2009 and transferred the wine to 50% new and 50% once-used American oak barrels for aging. Blending prior to barreling allows us to achieve a balance of the wine’s natural elements, such as fruit and tannin, before they are influenced by oak. The wine was then aged in barrel for approximately 24 months and another 15 months in bottle to harmonize its components before release.

Wine Enthusiast (WE): 91

"This lovely wine shows the soft tannins and herbaceousness you often find in Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignons. That dried herb taste accompanies blackberry and black currant fruit. It's classic Silver Oak, dry and elegant."

Wine & Spirits (W&S): 94

"Like a savory claret pumped up on performance-enhancing California climate, this is nuanced and relatively austere for all its bold, plummy fruit. The supple richness of tannins lends it textural finesse, the quality of Silver Oak that may be most responsible for its legend. The alcohol is finely integrated so as to be imperceptible. Still youthfully floral, this will age with grace."