Raymond Twomey Duncan, a Colorado entrepreneur who began investing in California vineyards in the late 1960s, and Justin Meyer, a winemaker and former Christian Brother, began in a Napa Valley dairy barn in 1972, producing only 1,100 cases of their inaugural vintage. Over the next two decades, Silver Oak grew in popularity. The Napa Valley and Alexander Valley Cabernets sold quickly upon their release from the winery and became a sought-after staple on restaurant wine lists around the country.

Blend: 78.9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 3.5% Cabernet Franc, 2.3% Petit Verdot and 0.3% Malbec

The 2016 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, deep ruby in color, is an opulent wine with notes of cassis, ripe raspberry, toasted coconut and shiitake mushroom.

This wine has a rich entry, depth through the mid-palate, great structure without being heavy and exceptional length on the finish.

Fresh cherry flavors balanced with floral notes and a subtle hint of black pepper add a beautiful complexity. Plush tannins lend to its age-worthiness. Given proper cellaring conditions, this wine will show beautifully through 2040.