Crafted by winemaker Nate Weis , our eponymous single vineyard red wine embodies the distinct and variegated character of Soda Canyon Ranch. The site—tucked away in the southern benchlands of the Napa Valley’s Vaca Mountains—was acquired by the Duncan family of Silver Oak in 1999 and has since formed the backbone of Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon for the last two decades. To a seasoned vineyardist, Soda Canyon Ranch is that rare convergence of six micro-vineyards meeting in one dynamic place, from which Nate and his team farm and select the most expressive fruit to speak on behalf of the 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.

In 2018, the diurnal shift 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.