我有幸回顾了银橡木的亚历山大谷赤霞珠，这款葡萄酒在许多知名葡萄酒零售商那里已经告罄。您可以在Wine Access上找到后续年份的版本（尽管库存有限，所以赶快行动吧！）。银橡木几十年的传奇声誉证明了它能够与时俱进而保持专注。尽管许多葡萄酒厂一旦成功就试图扩大他们的投资组合，但Silver Oak每年只生产两个葡萄酒标签。这份专注使它能够年复一年地继续生产广受好评的葡萄酒，并拥有忠实的追随者。
虽然银橡树葡萄酒独特形象多年来可能没有太大变化，但其酿造过程肯定有所改变。Silver Oak不断努力提高其酿造的可持续性，其设施均通过LEED铂金级认证，使用太阳能和循环水提供动力，其葡萄园也获得了加州可持续种植联盟认证。
决定购买哪个版本？银橡木的亚历山大谷和纳帕谷之间有一些关键区别。首先是风土，亚历山大谷是索诺玛县最温暖的一部分，但仍然偶尔受到来自太平洋和佩塔卢马峡谷的凉爽微风，这样可以生产出更小、果皮更厚的小麦类植物，并最终产生结构化得多、单宁较强烈的地面覆盖物。而另一方面，纳帕谷通常温度较高，如2015年夏季全天都超过100度，这样可以产出单宁略柔软、产量更高的地面覆盖物。
再次区分的是混合比例。在亚历山大谷地区，大约95%是赤霞珠，有助于其更加坚固且具有更长陈酿潜力的外观，而在纳帕地区，只有81%为赤霞珠，还混入了更多梅洛（13%）、品丽珠和小维铎，以及五个月陈酿时间。这导致了一种现在更加温馨易近人地面覆盖物。
我们还曾经回顾过2015年的银橡木赤霞珠——这无疑并未让人失望。完整评论如下：
2015 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Varietal: 95.3% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3.7% Merlot, 0.4% Petit Verdot, 0.3% Malbec, 0.3% Petite Sirah
Region: Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California
Color: Deep Garnet
Tasting Notes: The first aromas to waft up to my nose were oak and silver oak more prominently because they use a mix of new and old oak barrels. Once through some aeration cleared this up, blackberry, black currant and toasted vanilla notes became the forefront flavors. In the mouthfeel these are supported by structured tannins and lively acidity with warm tones of cinnamon, tobacco and chocolate unfolding in the complex layers.
Service: If you open now please decant before serving. Potential for aging is around 10-15 years.
To purchase one of the few remaining bottles of Silver Oak's Alexander Valley or Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons from either region we recommend using Wine Access. All purchases over $120 on Wine Access will be free shipping. They are currently pricing their Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (84 dollars) competitively if not below market price. You can get a $50 discount on purchases of $200 or more at Wine Access with our unique link.
Silver Oak truly is an icon for California Cabernet Sauvignon even in difficult vintages its signature style will not disappoint you.The Alexander Valley bottling is now your ideal bottle for today or future cellar occasions .
