Silver Oak Cellars

Iconic Silver Oak Winery has two different locations; Alexander Valley and Napa Valley. Fortunately for me, we stumbled across the Napa Valley winery is located in the rich volcanic soil region of Oakville. The newly renovated winery was reopened in 2008 after the horrific 2006 fire that destroyed the vintage and the winery. Silver Oak practices the sole production of Cabernet Sauvignon and their ideals, philosophies and techniques are top notch. As you drive down the long the driveway leading to their iconic symbol, the water tower which stands proudly up front.The property is surrounded by rolling hills covered with their beautiful vineyards. Walking up to the winery you are met with a beautiful fountain that leads up to the stairway of the tasting room and legendary library of Silver Oak with bottles from vintages dating back to the original 1972 vintage. As you walk in the tasting room, it's filled with gifts and memorabilia, with the library to the left. The barrel room to the right and the tasting counter right in the middle. While I was there, the newly released 2009 Napa Valley Cab was being poured along with the 2009 Alexander Valley Cab with the 2007 Napa Cab as a bonus and what a bonus it is to taste that exceptional wine.

2009 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon: Beautiful aromas of violet and cassis lead to a full palate of berry, spice and chocolate. A long lingering finish with smooth round tannin, easily able to drink now or keep for a rainy day.

2009 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon: Complex aromas of ripe red fruit and floral characteristics give way to a full bodied true Cabernet Sauvignon, black cherry and baking spices with layered tannin and lingering finish.

2007 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon: Imagine putting your nose in a bowl full of chocolate, cherries, coffee and freshly sanded wood and you will begin to understand the complexity of this one of a kind wine. A big bountiful nose with fully structured flavors and tannin that won't let up, 2007 was simply the best.

To learn more about the Duncan family and Silver Oak Cellars visit there website at: http://www.silveroak.com/ and if you go say you read the "Love That Wine" blog.

2nd stop: Twomey Winery and Tasting Room

Nestled along the everlasting Silverado Trail in Calistoga is a small elegant winery known as Twomey. Twomey is owned and operated by the Duncan family who also are the proprietors of the iconic Silver Oak Cellars. Started in 1999, the Soda Canyon vineyard was acquired with fully mature Merlot vines already established there. Known for one of the only single vineyard Merlot's, this wine will not disappoint if you ever make your way up there. Rich, silky and fruit forward concentrated with a never ending finish it's hard to stop drinking it once you have started.

We arrived at Twomey early enough in the day to where it was not completely packed yet in the tasting room and lucky for me Ross was my tasting guide. We started off with their newly released 2013 Sauvignon Blanc which portrayed very forward citrus and floral aromas, tropical fruit on the middle palate with a crisp lingering finish, amazing! As we progressed talking about tasting notes, history of the winery and vineyards, Ross tasted me on their evolution of Pinot Noir. The three Pinot Noir I tried, all same vintage 2012 coming from three distinct regions; Sonoma Coast, Anderson Valley and Russian River.

2012 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir display very bright acidity in the front with characteristics of rose petal, cherry and a slight smokey flavor on the finish. This was only the beginning. 

2012 Anderson Valley Pinot Noir was silky smooth, creamy and so delicious. Ripe strawberry, cherry and roses on the finish was absolutely boggling my mind.

2012 Russian River Pinot Noir. Generally my favorite Pinot Noir come from the Russian River AVA and this one did not disappoint. Full bodied, silky and seductive flavors of ripe cherry, strawberry and sweet spice filled my senses and took over me completely. A smooth middle palate that burst with flavor and a slightly tannic finish. This is what Pinot Noir was made to do, make you fall in love with wine so when someone says that's a great wine. all you can is "oh yes, Love That Wine."

To finish this extravagant experience was heart breaking but the best was only yet to come. The 2009 Napa Valley Merlot. Easily the best Merlot I have ever tried, forget every preconception you have about Merlot because this will make you a believer if you are already are not. Grown from French clones in volcanic soils, this wine is truly in a league of its own. Full bodied, silky and seductive, your mouth fills with ripe berry, smooth spice, chocolate and coffee. From the first sip to the last drop, the taste and sensation is addicting. These are the type of times that make you love wine tasting and keep searching for more.

To find out more about Twomey wines visit them at their website:
www.twomey.com/#!/welcome or if you plan on stopping by ask for Ross and say you read Love That Wine.

'95 Alexander Valley Silver Oak

Silver Oak is one of the few wineries in all of Napa that has been a beacon of want and desire for me since I started drinking wine. Of course there are many wines I would love to try and many wineries around the world I love to get to go to but for now, I can say I have had the opportunity to try not only a '04 Napa Valley, '07 Napa Valley, '07 Alexander Valley, I have had the opportunity to drink a 1995 Alexander Valley Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon. Let me tell you, for an 18 year old wine, not to shabby, not at all! And before I forget I have to say a big THANK YOU to Mr. R.T. for giving me this marvelous gift! Beautiful Ruby red color, with ripe red and black fruits, earth and a small hint of spice overwhelmed every sense as I poured, smelled, swirled, smelled then sipped this masterpiece called Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon.

Silver Oak was founded by the Duncan family in the 1960's and is still family owned and operated. Dedicated to strictly making one type of wine, Cabernet Sauvignon, they do 100% Cabernet Sauvignon substantially grown grapes within both the Alexander Valley and Napa Valley continuing tradition set by founder Raymond Duncan in the early 70's. If your ever in the Napa Valley area Silver Oak is must see, that won't leave you disappointed. Cheers!