Silver Oak
Better Together
2020 Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley
Auction 26 | Lot No. 86
Vintage: 2020
Silver Oak
Better Together
Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley
20 cases produced
Highlights
- This wine is a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot
- Your wine is sustainably farmed and produced
- Aging for 24 months in American oak barrels from our cooperage, The Oak, in Higbee, Missouri
- Fruit sourced exclusively from an estate vineyard in the Napa Valley
Description
Built on strength and unity, this expressive wine from the 2020 vintage was born from a desire to return home. We took the opportunity to work exclusively with estate fruit and picked from some of our most special blocks to create this unique, small lot. This vibrant wine represents everything that is near and dear to us at Silver Oak. There is a concentrated and rich aromatic profile comprised of cherry and blackberry bramble. Dried floral potpourri notes help add complexity. Extended aging in American oak adds subtle baking spice notes and a vanilla sweetness. Merlot plays a major supporting role in the overall complexity of this wine by adding flavors of raspberry and plush textures across the mid-palate. Starting with a smooth and vibrant attack followed by a dense and chewy core, this wine finishes with a red-fruit return. Its harmony and elegance are a reflection of our commitment to quality (and to each other) in the face of adversity.
Wine Facts
- Single vineyard wine
- Sustainably produced
Laura Oskwarek
Winemaker, Silver Oak
Laura has worked at Silver Oak Napa Valley since 2009, and over the last decade, she has played a critical role in improving analytical protocols, creating quality control methodologies and streamlining operations. No detail escapes Laura’s attention, from crush to bottling, and even how our wines are shipped around the world to arrive in perfect condition.
Originally from Connecticut, Laura performed her undergraduate studies at Simmons College in Boston where she earned degrees in Biology and Chemistry and developed a scientific focus on microbiology, culminating in her thesis on cross contamination in conjunction with Proctor & Gamble.
Laura thought her focus on microbiology would lead her to a career in medicine, but her life would soon take a different path. While continuing her medical education in Denmark, Laura fell in love with “the warmth and bonding that happened at home and the dinner table over a bottle of wine.” Immediately upon her return, Laura enrolled in the Enology and Viticulture program at the University of California at Davis, and the rest is history.
Outside of harvest, Laura considers December through February to be her most critical time of the year. It is during this time, with Silver Oak VP of Winegrowing Nate Weis, the team crafts the Silver Oak Napa Valley blend. Silver Oak wines are blended before barreling, and as many as 180 permutations of the blend are evaluated before settling on the final decision.
While winemaking is cyclical, it is the diversity and creative space that Laura cites as her favorite reasons for working at Silver Oak. “Winemaking isn’t a one person show,” says Laura. “And the team you’re surrounded by matters as much as the grapes—the variety of experiences, ideas and diverse backgrounds—is what helps us push our craft to the fullest extent.”
Laura resides in the Napa Valley with her husband Phil and their two young daughters.
Country born: United States
Years in the wine industry: 15-20 years
Winemaking Philosophy:
“Winemaking isn’t a one person show,” says Laura. “And it’s the people who matter as much as the grapes—the variety of experiences, ideas and diverse backgrounds—is what helps us push our craft to the fullest extent.”
Winery Distribution
Silver Oak is distributed in the following markets. Please contact the winery directly for the most up-to-date distribution information and to explore commercial opportunities.
Silver Oak Contact: Lauren Bucher
Domestic:
- Alabama ( International Wines, Inc. )
- Alaska ( RNDC/Young's/K&L )
- Arizona ( Breakthru Beverage )
- Arkansas ( SGWS )
- California ( Breakthru Beverage )
- Colorado ( Breakthru Beverage )
- Connecticut ( Worldwide Wines )
- Connecticut ( Connecticut Distributors )
- Delaware ( Breakthru Beverage )
- Florida ( RNDC )
- Georgia ( United Distributors )
- Hawaii ( SGWS )
- Idaho ( RNDC/Young's )
- Illinois ( Heritage Wine Cellars )
- Indiana ( RNDC )
- Iowa ( SGWS )
- Kansas ( Standard Beverage Corporation )
- Kentucky ( RNDC )
- Louisiana ( RNDC )
- Maine ( Nappi Distributors )
- Maine ( Pine State Trading )
- Maryland ( RNDC )
- Massachusetts ( Martignetti )
- Michigan ( Great Lakes Wines & Spirits )
- Minnesota ( SGWS )
- Mississippi ( RNDC )
- Missouri ( Breakthru Beverage )
- Montana ( Briggs Distributing Company )
- Montana ( Bronken's Distributing )
- Montana ( RNDC/Young's )
- Montana ( Intermountain Distributing Company )
- Montana ( Summit Beverage )
- Nebraska ( RNDC )
- Nevada ( Breakthru Beverage )
- New Hampshire ( Martignetti )
- New Jersey ( Opici )
- New Mexico ( RNDC )
- New York ( Empire Merchants )
- North Carolina ( Johnson Brothers )
- North Carolina ( American Premium Beverage )
- North Dakota ( RNDC )
- Ohio ( Vintage Wine Distributor )
- Oklahoma ( RNDC )
- Oregon ( RNDC/Young's )
- Pennsylvania ( Breakthru Beverage )
- Rhode Island ( Martignetti )
- South Carolina ( RNDC )
- South Dakota ( RNDC )
- Tennessee ( Athens Distributing Company )
- Tennessee ( Best Brands, Inc. )
- Tennessee ( Empire Distributors of TN )
- Tennessee ( SGWS )
- Texas ( RNDC )
- Utah ( RNDC )
- Vermont ( Calmont Beverage Company )
- Virginia ( RNDC )
- Washington ( RNDC/Young's )
- West Virginia ( Winebow )
- Wisconsin ( General Beverage )
- Wyoming ( Young's )
International:
- Canada - Alberta ( Marram )
- Canada - British Columbia ( Vintage Corks )
- Canada - Ontario ( Halpern )
- Canada - Quebec ( Onivino )
- Czech Republic ( Cal Wine )
- Denmark ( Laudrup )
- Finland ( Vinetum )
- Greece ( Cordis )
- Ireland ( O’Briens )
- Italy ( Ghilardi Selezioni )
- Macau ( Ponti Trading )
- New Zealand ( Planet )
- Norway ( Vinetum )
- Puerto Rico ( Plaza Cellars )
- South Korea ( Hitejinro )
- Taiwan ( Sergio Valente )
- United Arab Emirates ( MMI )
- United Kingdom ( The Wine Treasury )
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