Silver Oak 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 3000ml Double Magnum

Silver Oak has focused on a single idea since 1972: Cabernet Sauvignon aged exclusively in American oak. The 2019 is notable because it introduced a new chapter in how that oak is prepared. After exhaustive seasoning experiments led by winemaker Nate Weis, the winery found that American oak seasoned for 24 months and toasted for 90 minutes is the point at which the oak imparts more vanillin character and delivers better tannin integration. The 2019 is aged two years in barrels made to that specification, 80% new and 20% once-filled, from the Duncan family's own cooperage.

The blend is 76.61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18.13% Merlot, 2.56% Cabernet Franc, 2.32% Petit Verdot, and 0.38% Malbec, at 14.8% ABV. The winemaker's notes describe it as "expressive and lively on the nose," with "a black cherry and huckleberry aroma laced with dry floral notes," a "light note of sweet nutmeg" from integrated oak, "a fruit-forward entry with silky tannins that builds across the mid-palate and through a long and balanced finish."

Decanter's Jonathan Cristaldi scored it 96 Points, reportedly the winery's highest Decanter score, calling it "a beautifully compact wine" with "complex and nuanced aromas of Bing cherry and black raspberry with tobacco, currant leaf, and cedarwood laced with dried sage." He found "cool raspberry, cherry, and blackberry fruit" perfectly represented and a finish that is "crisp, lively, and energetic," adding: "No doubt, this is one to cellar." James Suckling scored it 95: "So elegant, supple and silky, this vintage is a dream to drink now, but should also have plenty of life ahead of it," with "aromas of blueberries and dark chocolate" melding "with luxe black fruit, mint and cocoa on the palate," best drunk or held through at least 2030. Ken's Wine Guide scored it 95 (April 2025), finding "a red plum and lingonberry bouquet with hints of pine resin, leather, and oak," a palate that is "very nicely balanced, super smooth, and graceful," with "cassis and graphite" and "dusty tannins" that "build-up and are very nicely sustained." Wine Spectator scored it 91. One tasting recommendation is to try the 2018 and 2019 side by side to notice the shift to "a more savory profile in the 2019 vintage, with a very precise integration of oak tannin."

The scores above are for the 2019 vintage in standard bottles. In a 3-liter double magnum, you get four bottles' worth of wine, and larger formats are widely believed to age more gracefully. It's a striking gift or a cellar centerpiece.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Silver Oak 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley is produced by Silver Oak, founded in 1972 and owned by the Duncan family. The wine is a blend of 76.61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18.13% Merlot, 2.56% Cabernet Franc, 2.32% Petit Verdot, and 0.38% Malbec, sourced from vineyards across Napa Valley.

It is aged two years in American oak barrels, 80% new and 20% once-filled, from the family's own cooperage, with oak seasoned 24 months and toasted 90 minutes for improved tannin integration. Bottled at 14.8% ABV, presented here in a 3000ml double magnum, equal to four standard bottles.

Critics Reviews

Jonathan Cristaldi, Decanter — 96 Points:
"The 2019 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet shows a deep, ruby colour. It is a beautifully compact wine that delivers complex and nuanced aromas of Bing cherry and black raspberry with tobacco, currant leaf, and cedarwood laced with dried sage. Focused and linear on the medium to full-bodied palate, showing expressive dark berry character and exotic oak spices with a firm backbone of fine-grained structured tannins... Cool raspberry, cherry, and blackberry fruit are perfectly represented, and the lengthy finish is crisp, lively, and energetic. No doubt, this is one to cellar."

James Suckling — 95 Points:
"So elegant, supple and silky, this vintage is a dream to drink now, but should also have plenty of life ahead of it. Aromas of blueberries and dark chocolate meld with luxe black fruit, mint and cocoa on the palate. A blend of 77% cabernet sauvignon, 18% merlot and dashes of cabernet franc and petit verdot. Drink or hold through at least 2030."

Ken's Wine Guide — 95 Points (April 2025):
"This dark ruby colored Cabernet Sauvignon from Silver Oak opens with a red plum and lingonberry bouquet with hints of pine resin, leather, and oak. On the palate, this wine is medium plus bodied with medium acidity. The mouthfeel is excellent! It is very nicely balanced, super smooth, and graceful. The flavor profile is tasty cassis and graphite blend with notes of loam and black tea... The finish is very dry, and its dusty tannins build-up and are very nicely sustained."

Wine Spectator — 91 Points

Silver Oak (official winemaker's notes):
"Expressive and lively on the nose, the 2019 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has a black cherry and huckleberry aroma laced with dry floral notes. Integrated oak adds a light note of sweet nutmeg to this wine. Ruby in color, it has a fruit-forward entry with silky tannins that builds across the mid-palate and through a long and balanced finish."

Tasting Profile

Nose
Deep ruby. Bing cherry, black raspberry, and huckleberry lead, with blueberry, dark chocolate, tobacco, currant leaf, cedarwood, dried sage, and a touch of nutmeg.

Palate
Medium- to full-bodied, silky and compact, with dark berry, cassis, and mint, dark chocolate and cocoa, exotic oak spice, and a firm backbone of fine-grained tannin.

Finish
Long, crisp, and energetic, with warm earth, cedar, tobacco, and fresh mint.

Quick Overview

Food Pairings

• Prime ribeye or grilled steak
• Slow-roasted lamb with rosemary
• Braised short ribs
• Aged cheeses and hearty pasta with wild boar ragù

Serving Note

Decant for an hour or more; serve at around 60°F.