Red Wine Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016. Decant 2 hours before serving. The story of Silver Oak began in the 1970s with two friends, Ray Duncan and winemaker Justin Meyer. From the very beginning the duo had a vision to only make the finest quality Cabernet Sauvignon, producing their first vintage in 1972 at the Christian Brothers Winery in exchange for Zinfandel grapes growing on the Silver Oak estate. Today Silver Oak is considered one of Napa’s premier wineries thanks to their attention to detail in the winery and the estate’s excellent terroir. They even have their own cooperage, The Oak, where their barrels are made. Along with the Cabernet, a small amount of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot is added into this cuvee for extra complexity and finesse. After vinification the young wine ages for 24 months in American oak barrels, of which 84% are new barrels. The high proportion of new oak adds intense coconut, vanilla, and cedar notes to the opulent cassis, blackberry, and blueberry notes. The entry is smooth with firm yet well-rounded tannins, a generous full body, and a very long finish. Depth and intesity of flavour make this a great wine to cellar for a decade or two more, although it can also be enjoyed now alongside hearty meat dishes.
2016
Red Wine Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
Red Wine Stonestreet Estate Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2016. It is recommended to decant it for half an hour. The Stonestreet Estate is one of the most interesting wineries in California, producing high-altitude wines based on Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc. The company, owned by the Jackson family, is managed by Christopher and Ariel who take great care of their 5500 acres, in the Mayacama mountain range in the Alexander Valley. The altitude of the vineyards (between 400 feet and 2,400 feet), the different microclimates, and the geological diversity of the mountain, allow this company to produce wines characterized by great minerality and fantastic flavor concentration. In this wine, very small quantities of Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc are added to the Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. As for all the Estate wines, the grapes are selected in the best vineyards of this mountain property, depending on the vintage, to best express this terroir. Stonestreet Estate Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon is a deep red wine that displays strong aromas of wild berries in jam on the nose, with some light earthy and vanilla notes. In the mouth, the flavor is concentrated and balanced by a good tannic backbone. It is an elegant and structured Cabernet Sauvignon that goes perfectly with stewed red meat or game.
2016
Red Wine Thorn Clarke Ron Thorn Shiraz 2016. No need to decant it, but best to open it half an hour before service. Thorn-Clarke is a family-owned winery located in Barossa, South Australia, and founded by David and Cheryl Clarke. The estate cultivates 240 hectares on four vineyards: St Kitts & Truro and Kabininge in the Barossa, as well as Mt Crawford and Milton Park in the Eden Valley. A number of varieties grow in their vineyards including the popular Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. The diversity of microclimates typical of these areas creates a portfolio of wines with various terroirs and styles on display. Their flagship wine is the Ron Thorn, a single vineyard Shiraz produced only in exceptional vintages, dedicated to a particularly hard-working family ancestor. Their William Randell Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon were also created in honor of the pioneer of the family who emigrated to Australia in 1837, launching a family business that now counts six generations of winemakers. Intense, deep and powerful, the Ron Thorn Shiraz displays rich aromas of dark fruit, ripe plum, and hints of coffee and chocolate. The palate is filled with ripe plum and mulberry flavors followed by dark chocolate and savory oak tannins. It has good balance and persistence. This is the perfect wine for beef brisket.
2016