Wine review of Silver Palm Cabernet Sauvignon
Every wine tells a story and this little beauty is no different.
We were gifted this bottle as a Christmas gift by Robert B., who is one of my closest local friends. I’ve written about Robert B. in the past, as he was a Boeing Aircraft designer for 25 years and also served in Vietnam. In fact, Robert’s landing in-country was on the memorable night of January 30, 1968, and he was sent to a military outpost called — Da Nang. Just hours after arrival he was in the USAF barracks getting ready for bed when everything went BOOM! — the Tet Offensive began. Good morning, Vietnam! As you can imagine, Robert B. has some incredible stories.
So, fast forward to now: We opened this for the first time on December 26th (yesterday) and it toasted the holiday quite nicely. I must admit, I was unprepared for the flavors of this bouquet, having been in a French wine-sparkling-Sauvignon Blanc phase for the last few months. It’s been at least a month since I’d opened a robust California red.
When you take a break from certain categories of wines, absence makes the heart grow much fonder. After being away from them for an extended period, the flavors of California hit me like a blast to the palate. My recommendation to all wine drinkers: Skip your favored wine for a while, and then come back to it. You will notice notes that might have been lost. Taste memory is a funny thing, and being away reawakens the senses. Try it.
The Silver Palm had a perfect balance. Not a fruit bomb, alc. at a relatively modest 13.5. But it drank nicely. From the wine notes at the official company website:
“….dark ruby in color, with aromas of blackberry and cassis. Flavors of black cherry, spice, and oak with round firm tannins lead to a soft, silky, lingering finish. Cabernet was abundant and ripe flavors, soft tannins, and complexity are the hallmarks of the vintage. Our Silver Palm Cabernet relies heavily on grapes grown in Mendocino County, which provides the soft, black cherry flavors to the wine. We used Sonoma County Merlot to add plushness to the palate and a small amount of Cabernet Franc for spice and to round out the finish.”
I was a bit surprised by both the quality and originality of this bottle, given that it’s part of the Jackson Family Wines — one of the largest producers in California (recall the name Kendall-Jackson). Jackson owns 50,000 acres of production and offers 40 different brands. So, I presumed this might be a very pedestrian wine, with no unique characteristics.
On the contrary. Very enjoyable. Balanced. Refreshing. Not heavy. Suitable for any occasion.
Again, thank you to Robert B. for making this experience and adventure possible.
Grade (100 point scale): 90
Value: (10 point scale): 6
Price: $16
Recommended: Yes, for almost any occasion