Gala family birthday celebration and Christmas Lights bus tour, foods and some vintage wine
The family and friends gathered for a gala grand-daughter Millie’s birthday celebration.
All the grandkids/cousins were there …
Taking in the joyous holiday season, the evening culminated in a festive Christmas Lights bus tour to tour the neighbors and see the holiday lights decorations, ….
And, the neighbors Taylor Swift holiday display!
Alec and Viv prepared an extensive selection of artisan cheeses, chips and dips, Alec’s signature beef tenderloin sandwiches …. (Here with sibling, Erin) …
… in addition to the grand birthday cake.
Fun with wine! Alec served a medley of red and white wines. As is customary for such occasions, I took from our cellar a commemorative birthyear vintage wine to taste and share.
We served a horizontal selection of birthyear wines for Alec and Vivianna’s wedding celebration that included Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon for both their birthyear vintages as featured in these blogposts -
Wedding Wines - Birthyear and Big Bottle Extravaganza Continues
We still hold several cases of their birthyear vintage wines and are working through them at occasions such as this.
Birthyear vintage labels and large format bottles
Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1991
Earlier previous Producer notes for the Alexander Valley label; "The 1991 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has a dense, rich, crimson hue with slight bricking. The aromatics are complex and very interesting with notes of sandalwood, caramel, black pepper, cedar and strawberry fruit. It has a moderate entry, with espresso bean flavors and a finish buttressed by fresh acidity. On the finish, leather and Roquefort linger on the palate. Decanting recommended due to light sediment. Enjoy now."
Winemaker Notes: "The 1991 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has a youthful glow, with an opaque crimson hue and no signs of bricking. It offers aromas of blackberry compote and sandalwood. It is a full-bodied wine upon entry, but is dominated by ample acidity and coffee flavors on the mid-palate. The finish has moderate length, lively tannins and flavors consistent with the mid-palate. Decanting suggested."
This label release was awarded Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, and Wine Spectator, one of their *Highly Recommended, Top 100 Wines of 1995*.
Currant Producer’s notes on this label release - “The 1991 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has a strong scarlet-red hue with no signs of bricking. The nose is somewhat muted and earthy but has inviting and interesting aromatics like new leather, dried ginger and cocoa beans. The entry is somewhat dilute and lower in acidity than most Silver Oak wines of the era but is broad and has depth along with cured meat and orange peel flavors. The mid-palate is layered and mouth-coating. This is not a huge wine but is bold and authoritative with strong tannins that still accent the long return. Decanting suggested due to moderate sediment. Enjoy now.”
At thirty three years, the label and foil were in good condition while the importantly fill level and cork will also still acceptable for their age.
While understandably passed its prime optimal drinking window, this bottle is still holding on but is reaching its end of life and needs to be consumed.
The dark garnet colored has taken on a slight brownish hue. Still medium to full bodied, the black berry and plum fruits are taking on a bit of tartness and giving way to spice, oak and non-fruit flavors or leather, smoke, and earthy tobacco, with moderate tannins on the lingering finish.
RM 87 points.
https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=21346
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