A Recent Visit to Silverado Vineyards is full of rediscovery...
One of the many things that I love about Napa Valley is making discoveries.
Just when you think you understand the fabled and illustrious
region, you learn something new altogether. Still, every once in a while,
what you thought you knew literally becomes new again.
Such was the case for me on a recent visit to Silverado Vineyards. It had been
over a decade since I visited, and although I had always appreciated the wines
and bought them for the restaurants where I worked as a sommelier, I admit now
that I eventually took the brand for granted. What I mean by that is that I knew
that the wines were consistently good and that the winery was owned, operated
and represented by talented people; yet I left
it at that. What I failed to learn (until recently)
is the incredible commitment that Silverado
Vineyards has made to acquiring quality single
vineyards and their dedication to estate-grown
grapes. This speaks of wisdom in regards to
commitment to both the quality of the wines
and the long-term vision for the estate.
The Miller Family has been in Napa Valley
for 40 years and has been making great wines for over 30. What is most compelling
to me is how carefully and systematically they have acquired and replanted
exceptional vineyards. These sites range from a dynamic parcel in Coombsville
called the Mt. George Vineyard, first planted, remarkably, in the 1860s, to the
Miller Ranch Vineyard in Yountville, the source of the consistently delicious
estate-grown Sauvignon Blanc. Silverado also owns and farms two extraordinary
Chardonnay vineyards in Carneros: the Firetree and Vineburg vineyards,
from which they craft the balanced and lively estate Chardonnay.
Many people are familiar with Silverado Vineyards’ iconic red wines from
the Stags Leap District, including their not-often-produced silver label Limited
Reserve. These wines possess the long track record and merit the praise
reserved only for Napa Valley’s finest Cabernet Sauvignons. To my palate, those
wines belong in the Napa Valley legacy category.
Silverado Vineyards has demonstrated that the estate-grown model is what
works for them; the quality of the wines has never been better. Winemaker Jon
Emmerich clearly appreciates balance and freshness in wines; all of the wines I
tasted on my visit showed focus, harmony and site specificity.
Tasting Highlights
All wines are estate-grown:
Silverado Vineyards 2014 Sauvignon
Blanc, Miller Ranch, Napa Valley
Incredibly fresh and fragrant, lemonlime
citrus, wet rock minerality, arugula
and pepper.
Silverado Vineyards 2013 Estate
Chardonnay, Carneros Beautifully
balanced flavors of apple and pear,
judicious use of oak, lively on the palate.
Silverado Vineyards 2012 Merlot, Mt.
George Vineyard, Coombsville, Napa
Valley A Merlot standout by the highest
standards: dark fruits of fig and blackberry,
structured yet well integrated; the
wine is large and possesses incredible
depth of flavor and very long finish.
Silverado Vineyards 2012 Estate
Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Tremendous quality, the wine is full of
rich dark fruits: purple plum, cassis, yet
is dry and complex; there is earthiness
and savory spice, firm tannins, a hint of
cigar. Deeply delicious.
Silverado Vineyards 2012 GEO
Cabernet Sauvignon, Mt. George
Vineyard, Coombsville, Napa Valley
From the oldest vineyard in Napa
Valley’s newest AVA, hails an extraordinary
Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine
is demonstrative of the vineyard and
the vintage: quality of highest order.
The aromas are beguiling: huckleberry,
violet, Indian spices. The palate is
non-stop: full flavored yet completely
balanced. The wine shows both power
and finesse. It is exceptional.
Silverado Vineyards 2012 SOLO
Cabernet Sauvignon, Silverado
Vineyard, Stags Leap District,
Napa Valley This 100% heritage clone
Cabernet Sauvignon represents a bold
and pure expression of a legendary
single vineyard in the celebrated
appellation. The volcanic soils of SLD
harmonize with the fruit and earth of
the wine resulting in a triumphant and
singular Cabernet Sauvignon.