Very impressive. Had low expectations for this wine, given its age. Was even avoiding drinking it because of that. I needn't have worried. Wonderfully balance with a nice bracing acidity playing off soft but bold fruit. Though 30 years old, and perhaps at its prime, there is no real hurry to consume. One of my top pleasant surprises of what I thought would be an over-the-hill wine.
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Decanted for 45 min and could have gone another hour. Initial palate feel was light and then over. Developed over time and then should some strength, smokiness and rustic berries characteristics. Quite nice but needs a beef course.
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Nose of black berry, currants, mocha, and sage, same on the palate, medium/big body, delicious tasting, smooth and elegant mouth feel, enjoyed over 2 evenings, went well when paired with the roast beef, at its best so time to drink up, auction bottle purchased in 2016, long, long finish, and a flavorful aftertaste.
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Clear dark purple in colour. Clean nose of blackfruit, spice, cedar, and violet. Dry, med body, med acidity, lots of depth on palate. Spice, Black currant, earth, mocha, ... could go on and on. Drank from Magnum, and it was drinking very well. Not sure it will get better, but still has life. Great example of what napa cab can do with age.
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I bought this bottle in 1999 at the winery, and have held it in my temperature controlled locker since. It is a lovely wine, full of dark fruit flavors and a minty, spicy, woodsy character that is perhaps what some refer to as eucalyptus. Tannins seem nicely resolved, balanced acidity, and quite nice with a grilled New York steak. Probably at it's prime, if not slightly past. I'll drink my other three bottles over the next couple of years.
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Attractive balance of remaining fruit and tannins, with a very present eucalyptus nose and palate. Not off-putting,but noticeable. Pleasant aged Silver Oak.
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Drank from a winery collectors flight of 1993-1998 NV. Stored since purchase at 55D & 70%RH. Double decanted about 90 minutes before serving. Old style Silver Oak nose, flavor and finish. Happy we shared these wines as they seem to be reaching its limits.
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Lovely nose of black cherry, currants, and loamy forest, more of the same on the palate, smooth, elegant to taste, full bodied, medium/big body, medium/long finish with nice acid for balance.
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I just drank the 92 and 93 side by side and the 92 is by far the better vintage. It has held up beautifully. Very rich and spicy. We noticed a tinge of thinniing of the color on the 92 but absolutely no degradation in taste. Smooth and silky to the end. The 93 looked great and even had a lot of fruit left but lacked much character compared to the 92. I'm not sure with the fruit if it can still hold up but definitely drink the 92 now. The 93 is a risk either way.
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Decanted for 30 minutes before drinking over an hour. This wine is well passed its peak. From nose to palate the wine has faded. Finish disappointingly sharp and thin. Well passed its prime.
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Fill into neck. Decanted and served. Clear deep dark garnet-blood red. Bouquet of lavender, spicy oak, red plums, cherries, currants, and earth. Similar on the palate, rich, generous, with good structure and balance. Pleasantly tart. With air, the fruit came to the forefront where it belonged. Improved steadily over 45 minutes and would benefit from a longer decant. My drinking companion thought it might continue to improve with more age, but I doubt it.
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Not a great vintage for silver oak, this wine was angular and overly tannic when it was young. So I held onto a bottle, and this has now shed its tannins and has become more balanced. At this point, it is a nicely drinking mature wine, and is probably near its peak. Drink over the next 5 years.
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Low score probably due to not letting it breath long enough. Fruit really started to show through after 2 hours in decanter... Soft fruit, nice balance..went very well with mushroom risotto..
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Generously opened by Scott I at his house. This really showed well- fully mature Napa cab with rich fruit and a round finish. Could be a little more complex, but that's nit-picking. I enjoyed this wine quite a bit. Drink now if you got em.
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Frankly, Jeannine liked it more than I did -- I thought it was a bit vegetal and herbal, albeit with decent berry, cedar, spice flavors and very nice texture and balance. She would have scored it 91/92.
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Decanted for one hour before pouring. Wine was still acidic and tight. It finally started to come around after about 12-20 minutes in the glass. It then became a wonderful, mature Cabernet with a nice amount of fruit and smooth, silky tannins. Drink now.
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East Bank / HDH Tasting (Chicago): The nose here was dominated by blackberry and oak. The fruit on the palate is big but simple and obvious. The finish is long but is too vanilla-laced for me. I got rid of this quickly so I could move on.
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East Bank / HDH Wine Tasting (Flair House): Full soft red color. Wow - great spicy green sweet round nose. Lovely round coffee black fruit with a slight green note on the finish. This was showing surprisingly well! Apparently from the 'good old days' of Silver Oak... 93-94 pts.
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A very nice Silver Oak that I had with tenderloin, a vegetable galette and roasted potatoes. It was the best of the 4 bottles of Silver oak I had that evening, typical of a great wine from them.
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I have gone back and forth between loving and hating these wines. After emerging from a period where I thought that no serious wine guy likes these wines I have decided that I do indeed like these wines. No they are not subtle and this one was showing some harsh tannins - probably from the wood. But with a flank steak it was really good the braambly fruit still quite alive.
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Decanted for a half and hour before drinking over the next 2 hours. This wine showed loads of cassis, pungent eucalyptus with a lingering menthol finish, soft fruits and almost no tannins. Silky smooth mouth feel that kept opening with each sip, the last being best (no surprise there). This was the first time I have had this vintage, so I don’t know its evolution. Overall I was impressed on how this wine was drinking; it did not feel tired and probably could have gone several more years. So much for Cali wines not ageing well.
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Good, but not great. Starting to show a bit of age. Nice dark berry fruit, cassis, mixed with blackberrys and leather. Muted nose, with just a touch of the SO dill. Glad it was my only bottle.
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1/13/2023 - dfcrutcher Likes this wine: 94 Points
Very impressive. Had low expectations for this wine, given its age. Was even avoiding drinking it because of that. I needn't have worried. Wonderfully balance with a nice bracing acidity playing off soft but bold fruit. Though 30 years old, and perhaps at its prime, there is no real hurry to consume. One of my top pleasant surprises of what I thought would be an over-the-hill wine.
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3/5/2021 - daved Likes this wine: 94 Points
Delightful! Popped and let sit for an hour. Vibrant fruit, fully integrated, medium smooth finish. Vintage Silver Oak.
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7/18/2020 - jlgnml Likes this wine: 90 Points
Pop and pour and initially pleasant taste and good finish. Tended to develop an over ripeness and not finish well. Last btl.
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12/27/2019 - klanham wrote: 90 Points
Still good but going downhill. Drink soon.
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11/14/2019 - jlgnml Likes this wine: 92 Points
Decanted for 45 min and could have gone another hour. Initial palate feel was light and then over. Developed over time and then should some strength, smokiness and rustic berries characteristics. Quite nice but needs a beef course.
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9/18/2019 - ozstef wrote: 86 Points
Over the hill
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1/7/2019 - Gr8penut Likes this wine: 90 Points
Still going strong (unlike the Alex).
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5/23/2018 - bryon m wrote: 90 Points
Slightly brown at the edge. Body was better than expected. No oak left. Dark fruit - fig and plum from middle to finish.
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9/23/2017 - bobadopolis Likes this wine: 94 Points
Slow oxed for an hour, then splash decant just before dinner. Amazing wine
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4/29/2017 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 93 Points
Nose of black berry, currants, mocha, and sage, same on the palate, medium/big body, delicious tasting, smooth and elegant mouth feel, enjoyed over 2 evenings, went well when paired with the roast beef, at its best so time to drink up, auction bottle purchased in 2016, long, long finish, and a flavorful aftertaste.
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8/4/2016 - rexmerlot wrote: 94 Points
Clear dark purple in colour. Clean nose of blackfruit, spice, cedar, and violet. Dry, med body, med acidity, lots of depth on palate. Spice, Black currant, earth, mocha, ... could go on and on. Drank from Magnum, and it was drinking very well. Not sure it will get better, but still has life. Great example of what napa cab can do with age.
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4/10/2016 - rsprouse Likes this wine: 92 Points
I bought this bottle in 1999 at the winery, and have held it in my temperature controlled locker since. It is a lovely wine, full of dark fruit flavors and a minty, spicy, woodsy character that is perhaps what some refer to as eucalyptus. Tannins seem nicely resolved, balanced acidity, and quite nice with a grilled New York steak. Probably at it's prime, if not slightly past. I'll drink my other three bottles over the next couple of years.
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1/11/2015 - AccaDacca Likes this wine: 90 Points
Attractive balance of remaining fruit and tannins, with a very present eucalyptus nose and palate. Not off-putting,but noticeable. Pleasant aged Silver Oak.
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12/26/2014 - Imre wrote: 90 Points
Still drinking well. Tobacco notes early, opens up to nice soft finish.
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12/14/2013 - lbin2008 wrote: 90 Points
Drank from a winery collectors flight of 1993-1998 NV. Stored since purchase at 55D & 70%RH. Double decanted about 90 minutes before serving. Old style Silver Oak nose, flavor and finish. Happy we shared these wines as they seem to be reaching its limits.
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12/8/2013 - Ron Slye wrote:
No serious tasting notes. Okay. Not great. 85 or so.
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11/28/2013 - pgalla wrote: 93 Points
If you cellared this wine, it is still great, but drink soon.
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5/12/2013 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 91 Points
Lovely nose of black cherry, currants, and loamy forest, more of the same on the palate, smooth, elegant to taste, full bodied, medium/big body, medium/long finish with nice acid for balance.
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12/24/2012 - donjulio Likes this wine: 90 Points
Definitely peaked, but well integrated and paired nicely with grilled lamb chops.
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11/13/2012 - spisakc wrote: 89 Points
I just drank the 92 and 93 side by side and the 92 is by far the better vintage. It has held up beautifully. Very rich and spicy. We noticed a tinge of thinniing of the color on the 92 but absolutely no degradation in taste. Smooth and silky to the end. The 93 looked great and even had a lot of fruit left but lacked much character compared to the 92. I'm not sure with the fruit if it can still hold up but definitely drink the 92 now. The 93 is a risk either way.
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8/10/2012 - vino_per_tutti wrote: 82 Points
Decanted for 30 minutes before drinking over an hour. This wine is well passed its peak. From nose to palate the wine has faded. Finish disappointingly sharp and thin. Well passed its prime.
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5/5/2012 - Javachip wrote: 93 Points
Fill into neck. Decanted and served. Clear deep dark garnet-blood red. Bouquet of lavender, spicy oak, red plums, cherries, currants, and earth. Similar on the palate, rich, generous, with good structure and balance. Pleasantly tart. With air, the fruit came to the forefront where it belonged. Improved steadily over 45 minutes and would benefit from a longer decant. My drinking companion thought it might continue to improve with more age, but I doubt it.
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5/2/2012 - Gabe wrote: 86 Points
Fading badly, 2 hour decant, really not much there, not quite over the hill, still a nice mouthfeel but not much else.
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3/13/2012 - BernieMSY wrote: 87 Points
Over the hill, unfortunately. Two hour decant improved it slightly, but it faded quickly. Too bad.
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9/6/2011 - Burkep wrote:
Excellent!!!
Holding very strong!
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8/18/2011 - zinfidel wrote: 90 Points
Not a great vintage for silver oak, this wine was angular and overly tannic when it was young. So I held onto a bottle, and this has now shed its tannins and has become more balanced. At this point, it is a nicely drinking mature wine, and is probably near its peak. Drink over the next 5 years.
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1/23/2011 - 1961Vintage wrote: 87 Points
Low score probably due to not letting it breath long enough. Fruit really started to show through after 2 hours in decanter... Soft fruit, nice balance..went very well with mushroom risotto..
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11/26/2010 - no leashes wrote: 90 Points
Earthy black fruit, tobacco, herbs and spice, silky smooth, delicious. Drink up!
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10/24/2010 - grossie wrote: 92 Points
Generously opened by Scott I at his house. This really showed well- fully mature Napa cab with rich fruit and a round finish. Could be a little more complex, but that's nit-picking. I enjoyed this wine quite a bit. Drink now if you got em.
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2/12/2010 - sjdoc wrote: 88 Points
Nice wine. Seems a little muted. Likely near it's end
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12/25/2009 - Brett wrote: 94 Points
Had this last bottle with Christmas dinner...it was fantastic!!
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11/24/2009 - plasiter67 wrote: 92 Points
Smooth and elegant - just awesome.
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6/2/2009 - jsm wrote: 88 Points
past its prime
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2/27/2009 - no leashes wrote: 89 Points
Frankly, Jeannine liked it more than I did -- I thought it was a bit vegetal and herbal, albeit with decent berry, cedar, spice flavors and very nice texture and balance. She would have scored it 91/92.
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12/24/2008 - Brett wrote: 94 Points
Fantastic. Frankly, I didn't expect this bottle to be this good. It was a holiday suprise!
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5/31/2008 - Gfritzh wrote: 90 Points
Decanted for one hour before pouring. Wine was still acidic and tight. It finally started to come around after about 12-20 minutes in the glass. It then became a wonderful, mature Cabernet with a nice amount of fruit and smooth, silky tannins. Drink now.
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1/17/2008 - jlm wrote:
East Bank / HDH Tasting (Chicago): The nose here was dominated by blackberry and oak. The fruit on the palate is big but simple and obvious. The finish is long but is too vanilla-laced for me. I got rid of this quickly so I could move on.
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1/17/2008 - winefool wrote: 93 Points
East Bank / HDH Wine Tasting (Flair House): Full soft red color. Wow - great spicy green sweet round nose. Lovely round coffee black fruit with a slight green note on the finish. This was showing surprisingly well! Apparently from the 'good old days' of Silver Oak... 93-94 pts.
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12/13/2007 - KeithAkers wrote: 90 Points
HDH bordeaux tasting (evanston IL): real nice bricking when looking into the light on this
nose: a bit medicinal on the nose, kind of like vicks or robotussin. also getting toasted oak, vanilla, and cranberry
taste: mostly toasted oak, cranberry, chalk, and vanilla
overall: pretty nice. easy drinking cab
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7/7/2007 - slogan wrote: 90 Points
A very nice Silver Oak that I had with tenderloin, a vegetable galette and roasted potatoes. It was the best of the 4 bottles of Silver oak I had that evening, typical of a great wine from them.
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4/20/2007 - thepeng1 wrote: 93 Points
Silver Oak tastes good! Even after 14 years. And the nice thing is you know it will taste good before you open the bottle.
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4/12/2007 - AMeehan wrote: 90 Points
Drank on our 15th anniversary. Wine was very good, but past it's prime.
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3/14/2006 - lbosche wrote: 92 Points
I have gone back and forth between loving and hating these wines. After emerging from a period where I thought that no serious wine guy likes these wines I have decided that I do indeed like these wines. No they are not subtle and this one was showing some harsh tannins - probably from the wood. But with a flank steak it was really good the braambly fruit still quite alive.
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6/15/2005 - Opimian wrote:
Decanted for a half and hour before drinking over the next 2 hours. This wine showed loads of cassis, pungent eucalyptus with a lingering menthol finish, soft fruits and almost no tannins. Silky smooth mouth feel that kept opening with each sip, the last being best (no surprise there). This was the first time I have had this vintage, so I don’t know its evolution. Overall I was impressed on how this wine was drinking; it did not feel tired and probably could have gone several more years. So much for Cali wines not ageing well.
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11/29/2004 - TripDaddy wrote: 88 Points
Good, but not great. Starting to show a bit of age. Nice dark berry fruit, cassis, mixed with blackberrys and leather. Muted nose, with just a touch of the SO dill. Glad it was my only bottle.
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11/18/2004 - massimo wrote: 87 Points
Liked it, but it wasn't great. Tannins still kinda there, fruity with berries. Opened up after decanter for a bit. It was my last bottle.
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2/6/1999 - brianofthevine wrote: 92 Points
Red cherry, currant, good structure, long finish.
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