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保持专注，同时与时俱进。尽管许多葡萄酒厂一旦成功就试图扩大他们的产品线，但Silver Oak每年只生产两个葡萄酒标签。这股专注使它能够年复一年地持续生产广受好评的葡萄酒，并拥有忠实的追随者。
虽然银橡树葡萄酒的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可持续性，其设施通过LEED铂金认证，使用太阳能和循环水提供动力，其葡萄园则由加州可持续种植联盟认证。
决定购买哪个版本？银橡木亚历山大谷和纳帕谷之间有一些关键区别。首先是风土，亚历山大谷通常较温暖但偶尔会受到来自太平洋和佩塔卢马峡湾凉爽微风，使得这里可以生长更小、果皮更厚的葡萄，最终产生结构化单宁。而纳帕谷温度较高，如2015年夏季常超过100度，可以生长出单宁略柔软、产量更高的品质。
另外，混合也是两者的另一个区别。在亚历山大谷几乎全是赤霞珠（95%），这帮助其拥有一种更加坚固轮廓和更长陈酿潜力；而纳帕谷赤霞珠中只有81%为赤霞珠，还混入了更多梅洛（13%）、品丽珠及小维铎，以及五个月瓶内陈酿，这导致了一款现在更加亲民口味。
我们还曾经机会回顾了2015年的银橡木赤霞珠 - 亚历山大谷，它毫无疑问没有让人失望。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 aroma to waft up to my nose was oak – silver oak more pronounced as they use a mix of new and old barrels once the initial oxidation has cleared out some of that. Once through that these are blackberry and black cherry with baking spices on the forefront. In the mouth these are supported by structured tannins and lively acidity – warm notes of cinnamon, tobacco and cocoa unfurl in complex layering.
Service: If opened now please decant before serving – potential for aging over 10-15 years.
To purchase one of the few bottles from Alexander Valley or Napa Valley at a price comparable to or even below market value using Wine Access is recommended by us. All purchases above $120 on Wine Access will be free shipping; their current pricing on Silver Oak's Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($84) is fully competitive if not below market price. You can use our unique link to get a $50 discount on any purchase over $200 at Wine Access.
Silver Oak truly is a paragon of California Cabernet Sauvignon; even in challenging years its signature style won't disappoint you. The bottle from Alexander Valley is ideal for drinking now or saving for future occasions in your cellar.
