On July 30th 2005, Silver Oak, the #1 Collector wine in America, will release their 2001 vintage Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon wine. This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, which is a blend from several vineyards, is the most highly anticipated Silver Oak release since the classic 1997 bottling.

Winemaker Daniel Baron describes this wine as a vibrant, rich wine with dark, ruby color and an expressive nose of cassis, black cherry, dark chocolate, soy sauce, ginger and sandalwood. It is fruit driven and full-bodied on the palate with a panoply of fruits and spices echoed in its extremely long, complex finish. It will continue to improve until 2023, given proper cellaring.

Porthos Wine Ventures, the fine wines, personalized recommendations, and nationwide shipping distributor based in San Rafael California, is offering an exclusive pre-release opportunity. Porthos will send wine lovers from the Rugged Elegance community up to 12 bottles of this rare wine before it is released at the winery. Those who purchase an entire case of this fine wine will get free shipping throughout the U.S.

History of Silver Oak's 2001 Alexander Valley Cabernet

Silver Oak's 2001 Alexander Valley Cabernet began harvest on August 31st, about two weeks earlier than usual and finished picking in Alexander Valley on October 8th.

The season that began with a severe frost ended with a low yield of concentrated ultra-high quality grapes.

Silver Oak aged the wine for approximately 25 months. The wine received a further 15 months of bottle age before its release at the end of the month.

Vintage Description

Silver Oak's 30th harvest, the 2001 vintage, was characterized by an early start and a late finish.

Silver Oak states:

Winter rainfall was slightly below average but more than enough for normal vine growth. Early bud break and frost at the beginning of April called for frost protection in low lying areas. In late spring bloom conditions varied, but veraison was right on schedule - around August 1st.

We began harvest on August 31st, about 2 weeks earlier than usual.

Picking continued under normal conditions until September 10th when morning fog, cool temperatures and low sunlight hours stalled ripening for over 2 weeks. This marine layer was broken by a storm on September 24th and by October 1st we were experiencing a heat wave that brought the fruit to ripeness. We finished picking in Alexander Valley on October 8th.

Bottle Sizes

750 ml, 1.5 L magnum, 3 L double magnum, 6 L Imperial

Tasting Notes

The 2001 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon reveals a seductive array of flavors and spices including cedar wood and plum in addition to a lusty, sweet perfume of cassis, spice box, licorice, and lavender. The wine is a sexy, sensual, broad, flavorful Cabernet offering attractive fruit, plenty of ripeness, and a big wallop of American oak Silver Oak fans dream about. Drink it over the next decade.

Critics Review

Critics have deemed this vintage the 'best ever'.

Robert M. Parker, Jr., founder of the newsletter The Wine Advocate and now considered by many to be the most influential wine guru ever, has already ordained Silver Oak 2001 with an "Outstanding 91 points" rating.

As a point of comparison, Parker gave Silver Oak Cellars' 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa a "94" rating.

Regarding the 2001 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignons, Parker states:

This Cabernet has a big, sweet, oaky nose and a seductive panoply of spices from cedarwood to plum pudding and fruitcake notes. It is a sexy, sensual, broad, flavorful Cabernet lacking serious depth, but offering attractive fruit, plenty of ripeness, and a big wallop of American oak.

He recommends drinking them between 2005-2015. "Drink it over the next decade," he suggests. At this time, the wine will be at its finest.

Silver Oak's new release could be a good reason to finally invest in a U-Line Wine Refrigerator.

Now -- to decide:

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Given proper cellaring, Silver Oak's Cab is expected to continue to improve until 2023.

Porthos Free Shipping Offer

Hal Oates, president of the wine personal shopper service, Porthos, is now celebrating the upcoming release of the rare Silver Oak 2001 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon on a pre-release basis this week (for August 1 shipments).

Due to Porthos' close relationships with Silver Oak they have gained access to the largest allocation of Silver Oak (outside the winery) in California.

For those who purchase an entire case of the Silver Oak 2001 Cab from Porthos.com, shipping is free.

Porthos' orders will be shipped the week of August 1.

According to Oates:

The new 2001 vintage of Silver Oak is clearly the most highly anticipated release since 1997, later judged 'vintage of the Century' by the Wine Spectator magazine.

Our collector clients are already clamoring for cases of this rare grape due to the fact that insiders agree the 2001 vintage will ultimately be judged 'best ever' for long term aging.

Meanwhile, if you have been searching for a Cabernet that is under $40 Porthos recommends the "cult favorite" Ladera Napa Cabernet Blend 2002.

The Porthos team calls it " the No. 1 Cabernet under $40 we’ve ever tasted."

They say it tastes better than a $100+ Bordeaux.

Regardless of your budget, if you are looking for a fabulous wine as a gift, you can send Porthos the particular tastes of the recipient and Porthos will make selections on their latest discoveries based on the information you give them.

All wines that are shipped by Porthos come with their tasting notes, facts and food pairings.

Porthos Wine Club, Tasting & Undiscovered Wines

Porthos also sends out a periodic email which announces their latest wine discoveries -- like this one.

Of course, I did not post this story until I had already secured my own case of the soon-to-be-released Silver Oak 2001 Alexander Valley Cab -- just in time for my dad's 70th!

To place your order call 1.866.767.8467 (1.866.PORTHOS) or visit Porthos' site at:

Inspire & Be Inspired.

Here's to healthy, adventuresome, soulful, "indulging in the best of 2001 wines" living!

~ Jennifer Carolyn King, Rugged Elegance, LLC