2006 Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley

Winemaker's Tasting Notes:  The 2006 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon combines full body and richness with moerate alcohol.  It has a garnet color and a nose of cassis liqueur, nutmeg and dark chocolate.  On the palate, it has a rich, mouth-coating attack, great expression of fruit, a full-body and beautifully integrated tannins that lead to a long, spicy finish.  Given proper cellaring, this wine will give drinking pleasure through 2026.

Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Blending and Aging:  Our 2006 Alexander Valley, a blend of wine from several different vineyards, is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.  We blended the vineyard lots in early 2007 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 25 months and another 15 months in bottle to harmonize its components before it release.

Appellation: Alexander Valley