We do our very best to source top-performing value Cabernets from our globally recognized backyard of Napa Valley, but aggressive pricing can cause irreversible shellshock in a real hurry. Is there Napa Cabernet to be had at $35 and under? Absolutely—that’s true of almost any region—but will it be something that genuinely moves you, a wine that drips with pedigree, unrivaled terroir, and impeccable craftsmanship? Nine out of ten times, no. The reality of the situation is that Napa’s world-famous terroir, the soaring cost of Cabernet fruit, and a skilled, lengthy upbringing in the winery demand lofty prices. Silenus is one of those extremely rare exceptions: Back in the ‘70s (one of the breakout decades for Napa), their estate vineyard in the Oak Knoll District was used for Inglenook, Silver Oak, and Mondavi’s Reserve wines, all of which currently cost 3-4 times more than today’s extraordinary Cabernet value.
“Tyros” is a predominate blend of Cabernet Sauvignon—from Silenus’ abovementioned estate vineyard plus neighboring “Wurz” Vineyard—that aged nearly 30 months (!!!) in a combination of French and American barrels before its eventual bottling earlier this year. Between you and me, I’m not sure you’ll find a better combination of storied vineyard site and attention to detail at this price. Anyone devoting that much effort into a wine like “Tyros” should start the bidding at $75, but Silenus coolly does it for over two times less. Best of all, because we’re working closely with the winery, this spectacular Napa Cab is coming to you at an unbeatable value. Take advantage!
“A rocket scientist walks into
a walnut orchard” may sound like the start of a groan-inducing joke, but that’s exactly how Silenus’ estate vineyard in Oak Knoll took form when Bruce Newlan purchased this tract of land in the late 1960s. Right away, Bruce started replanting the site to Cabernet Sauvignon (which was still finding its place in Napa at the time), and in no time at all, his crop was being eagerly snatched up by the likes of the aforementioned Napa Valley icons. By 1978, he decided to try his own hand at winemaking. Over the decades, Silenus’ wines have become internationally recognized and although there was an ownership change in the late 2000s, not one ounce of pedigree or quality has been sacrificed.
“Tyros” is by far Silenus’ greatest eye-popping value, as it culls nearly 30% of Cabernet fruit from their famous estate vineyard and another 50% from the nearby “Wurz Vineyard.” The remaining 20-odd percent of the blend is single-vineyard Merlot located a touch northeast of Napa proper. In 2015, the Cabernet was handpicked in the third week of September—a full week after Merlot—and after a long fermentation, the resulting wine was transferred into 60% new oak (50% French, 10% American) for an astoundingly long 28 months.
This wine is a beauty right out of the bottle but however tempting it may be, you must remember that we’re dealing with 2015 Napa Cabernet so try your best to decant a minimum of 30 minutes before enjoying. Regardless, the aromatics on “Tyros” are sensational, intense, and intricately layered: With each swirl, you’ll discover lush black cherry, crème de cassis, black plums, candied violets, cigar box, baked earth, bay leaf, coconut, fine-cut tobacco, sandalwood, cloves, and a touch of leather. The full-bodied palate is simultaneously plush and fresh, offering up loads of rich black fruit and dashes of crushed minerals and savory secondaries. It is, quite simply, the best value Cabernet I’ve had in a very, very long time. Serve in large Bordeaux stems around 60-65 degrees, enjoy over several hours, and preserve a few bottles for the long haul—I think this will meet 2025 and beyond in full stride. Cheers!
