Timeless 2018 Napa Valley Red Wine

Crafted by Silver Oak winemaker Nate Weis, this wine reflects the distinct characteristics of Soda Canyon Ranch in the Napa Valley. The site—tucked away in the southern benchlands of the Napa Valley’s Vaca Mountains—was acquired by the Duncan family in 1999 and has since been farmed as six vineyards in one. From each micro-vineyard, Nate and team select the best fruit to create an elegant and singular expression of this vineyard in a given year.

TASTING NOTES – With richness and depth of flavor, the 2018 Timeless Napa Valley is the embodiment of patience and attention to detail. Decades of experience at Soda Canyon Ranch allow winemaker Nate Weis and team to highlight the individual merits of each block. Combining the strongest lots from each resulted in a refined and harmonious bottling. The diurnal shift during this vintage at Soda Canyon Ranch produced a darker, lusher fruit profile of Cabernet Sauvignon. Simultaneously, the overnight recovery periods resulted in expressive and refined Merlot, giving the wine a pleasant profile of bright, red fruit. With an extended harvest window, the signature, plush density and structure of Petit Verdot is also prevalent in the final blend. Cabernet Franc thrived in 2018 with its predilection for the cooler soils and the climate of blocks 5, 6, 16, 20 and 21— areas we call the Transition Zone and Hardpan Alley. The variety’s floral and tobacco-like aromatics are accentuated, and its more aggressive nature for back-end tannins tamed. Once blended, the 2018 vintage rested in French oak barrels for 16 months, developing flavors of vanilla and baking spice. Velvety tannins dance across the palate of bright and lingering cassis. With a smooth finish, this is a comforting wine of elegance and depth—a sophisticated expression of the sedate summer.