This bottle was pleasantly dramatically different from last tasting in 2019, when it showed diminution from aging, past its prime and nearing the end of its drinking window. Tonight, this exceeded expectations, showing life remaining in its drinking window with little if any diminution from aging, perhaps bottle variation of that other bottle.
Dark ruby color, medium full bodied, bright full expressive tangy dark plum, cherry and black currant fruits with herbs, spics and notes of sweet oak on the acidic long finish.
Birth year bottle on birthday celebration Bright ruby - garnet Pronounced red cherries and blackberry, yellow bell peppers, bay leaves, eucalyptus, vanilla, mushroom Medium++ finish
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At Silver Oak Release Day, Cellar Tasting, nose of red cherry, black cherry, allspice, same on the palate, big body, very tasty, rich fruit, mouth filling fruit, almost elegant, great winery storage showed with this tasting, delicious, long finish, lovely aftertaste, reminds me of the good old days At Silver Oak!!!!
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PnP. Auction bottle from Brentwood and it showed well. Lots of high toned redcurrant aromatics with a little bit of underripe green stemmy oak and high acidity. Bears no resemblance to the Silver Oaks of the mid 2000s and beyond. This was a lovely, old school cab with ample richness. Most thought 96 or younger, and were surprised at the reveal. I think it’s in the zone and by no means past prime.
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Nose of red cherry, black cherry, hints of herbs and allspice, same on the palate, big body, very tasty, rich fruit, mouth filling fruit, almost elegant, slightly past its prime but holding well, bought 3 bottles at auction two months ago, long finish, lovely aftertaste.
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Cedar and forest floor nose initially but dark berry notes eventually emerge. Very tannic initially but smooths out with airing. Dark berry fruit much more evident after 24 hours open and splashing back and forth with two glasses. I remember this wine was much more refined when it was younger and the fruit was much more forward . Tannin is still a little tough which I find surprising. But there is a nice long finish as fruit and acid continue to integrate.I am saving a couple of these to help my brother celebrate his wedding anniversary.
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First Wednesday Wine Club (Napoli in Bocca, Haberfield): Served blind. Rich, ripe, blackberry, sweet spice, plums, cream, biscuit, cheesy, slight charcuterie under this. In the mouth it's got juicy acid, polished oak, plenty of ripe black fruit, chalky tannins, slightly jubey, chocolate. Massive. Guessed California Cabernet but late noughties.
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This wine aged excellently over the years and though still spectacular, it passed its peak a few years back. A classic full and fruity Cabernet, exciting through the finish. Tannins gone, now medium finish. Though fading, well balanced cherry, strawberry, chocolate, leather, and a touch of pepper in the finish.
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Not as good as the last bottle... started at 89 out of the decant, blipped as high as 91-92 after 90 minutes and with ribs, but then quickly faded back. After two hours it was getting tart and astringent. Reaching the end of its window.
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Luscious and silky. All of the tannins gone but still loads of ripe fruit. Cork disintegrated, so had to run through a fine sieve. Was lovely with Prime Rib Roast. Was ready to drink. Like smooth silk.
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Elegant and restrained (unlike the 2013 Carter Cellars OG opened as well). Primarily red fruit with prominent floral aromas; medium body with red berry, earth, and spices and balanced texture. Aged to perfection.
Another thanks to Ted for opening.
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Heavy leather on the nose. Lots of dark fruit taste, but had an unusual tart, acidic finish on the first glass. After sitting out for an hour and a half, finish was smooth. Enjoyable wine.
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Chris and I suffered a rough day as new parents. So I decided it was time to open our last bottle of this. We deserve it. nose: herbally delicious. I really do like the 1990s Silver Oaks. Perhaps I should give one of the more recent vintages a try, but from everything I've read, I"m not so sure I'd enjoy it. Anywho... plate: light, refined, yet grippy at the end. The fruit is quite poised, the acid is simply perfect, and the finish has just a hint of soy nut to reinforce its 22 years. The best of my bottles yet. Or is the fact that my little angel is FINALLY asleep coloring this note? Who cares. I'm loving this glass of wine.
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Authentic Steak Night with the boys..I had several of these for many years and decided to open 2 of them on this special occassion. Outstanding!!! Had a slight musty nose on initial open but, faded quickly to reveal a smokey/ berry delight. Deep red color with slight orange on the rim but, no problem whatsoever. Still plenty of fruit and lots of big oak. Long lasting finish with a hint of tobacco. Did not taste one bit past its peak. Decanted for 2hrs and got even better as the night progressed. Easily the best Alexander I have had.
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Solid bottle. Didnt know what to expect from this 20 yr old Cab but it scored well. Good color - still deep with a little light edge around the wine. Gave it about 30 minutes of air - only got better over dinner. A soft, nuanced wine in the mouth. Some cherry, charcoal, other ripe fruits. A pleasure.
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Medium red-garnet, pale-edged. Smokey American oak leads the nose to ripe not overripe cherry, dill, mints, and leather. A little bell pepper. Low tannin and acidity. Voluptuous and fat in the mouth, there's heaps off cherry fruit and medium char oak here. Fascinating how well the wine has aged and held on; it was soft on release and I'd not imagined fifteen years much less twenty-plus lay ahead of it on first release. From magnum.
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delicious. in much better shape than the same vintage napa bottling which i had sometime back. charming, tannins fully resolved. silver oak as it once was.
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Good showing for this old dog. I would say to pop the cork, and let it sit for 8 hours, no decant. The nose was very different, some mint and or eucalyptus. Got a lot of coffee grounds, cran, leather and 'shrooms. Showed very well and enjoyable.
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1990s California Cabernet (Charlie Palmer Steak - Washington DC): Opened up with a nose of sweet red currant fruit, a touch of dill, obviously Cali with a robust fruit profile, but some nice earth notes with mushroom and underbrush. On the palate this is getting a little tired, but showed pretty well. Red currant and black raspberry with smokey vanillan and dill notes underlying. This is a good effort and my first experience with fully mature Silver Oak from an era when a different style of wine was made.
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Clouded medium ruby. Cedary, earthy, leafy nose of baked cherry and rhubarb with American Oak overlain.Silky and round in the mouth. Flavors complex, matching the nose, tannin fully resolved. Smooth finish, lovely. Bottle #2 of two.
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Consumed at dinner with friends along with a '91 Silver Oak Napa. Lovely, vibrant flavors. Holding much better than expected. The Alexander was delightful but just not as big as the Napa.
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I quite liked the dill oak infusion here, and I preferred the SO to the 1991 meritage from carmenet (which was more angular and less polished). Holding up nicely, though, I think my winebid purchase was a killer.
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Just a tiny bit of fruit left in the nose. Color is a bit brownish, light, almost see thru. Initial taste is has the slightest tannin, then blackberry. Quite nice.
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Drank from a magnum. Opened, not decanted, let breathe for 2 hours. Very very little sediment, which was weird. First thought from everyone who tried it was "whoa, barnyard". It wasn't overwhelming, but it just wasn't expected. This bottle has aged very nicely. Beautiful mature nose of aged fruit and earthy dirt and leather. It was medium-bodied with fully-resolved tannin and a nice longish finish (30+ seconds). Definitely a wonderful bottle of wine. That being said, it is certainly at its' prime, and I'd be weary of a 750ml bottle as maybe just on the downside. Drink 'em if you got 'em!
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Not up to the standards of the previous bottle. Nose was very faint and the flovors somewhat muted. Still nice, but this bottle seemed to be fading. Two more coming in from winebid, so it will be interesting to see how those bottles have held up.
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This was a very nice wine just in from winebid.com. The color was surprisingly dark for a 18 year old bottle. The nose was pleasant, fruity and earthy. Very smooth on the palate, well integrated tannis. Flavors of cherries, blackberries, tobacco and a hint of chocolate. The finish was not as long as I would have expected, though that certainly was not a bid deal. I am anxious to drinky my other bottle.
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Serious funk on the nose and on the front end just after opening. After an hour the funk receeded a bit. Still very smooth through the mid pallet and back end with traditional SO flavors coming through nicely. Very mild tannins. This is still drinking ok, but past it's prime.
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I had a chance to try this beauty last night over a rosemary seasoned pot roast I cooked. I decanted about 30 minutes to let it open and immediately got hints of cedar and tobacco. On the pallet faint tannins were detected with hints of pencil lead, dry casis and a touch of chocolate. With dinner the wine still held up nicely with the robust flavors of the meat. I would drink it up now if you got it, because it will be past due any time now. Enjoy!
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nose: super vegetables on the nose.Luckily, I'm in the mood for them. It's like being in the garden mid-summer. palate: acidity is alive and well, with vegetable medley and dark cherries. Tannins are faint but not absent. Finishes with more cherry and a little pencil lead on top of the green bell pepper finale. The finish is shorter than I'd like, however, but I'll have no problem finishing this tonight over ribeyes, baked potatoes and lemon asparagus.
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Decanted for about 30 minutes. Very dark with a small amount of sediment. Big cabernet nose of cherry, chocolate, and cedar. Wonderful full body with smooth tannins. Flavors of cherry, blackberry and tobacco dominate. Excellent aged CA cab. Will hold for a few more years, but don't see any improvement from here.
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Jay and V brought this bottle over for my birthday, the best thing I can say is this was Average with a capital A. This was my first experience with silver oak, and I hope this was just a bad vintage because I've had better for much less money. The nose had some interesting qualities out of the bottle with some brett characteristics, then as it opened over 30 minutes unripe green aromas began to dominate, underlying was some current, cherry, vanilla, and clove. The biggest disappointment was the palate, it was thin, acidic, and honestly very boring with kind of a tart cherry finish.
In thinking about some other wines I've had lately it drank exactly like a $15 bordeaux (2001 Ch. Greysac) I had about a month ago, and it would be completely blown away by the 2000 Lewelling I had last week. This opinion sounds critical, and for another wine I would completely dismiss this, but ever since I've been into wine I've heard about silver oak and this wine was completely disappointing. Too bad, at least I didn't pay for it.
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Decanted for 30 minutes. Strawberry and charcoal with a little herb on the nose. Strawberries and chocolate dance on the tongue. Extremely smooth and elegant. Finish keeps on going. After 3hrs the wine started declining from oxygen contact, so drink within 3 hours of opening for optimal quality. This is the 2nd bottle I've had this year and now is the time to drink it. Just wish I had a few more...
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Opened well before dinner; aromas were of chocolate and strawberry and very elegant cedar, and extremely pleasing. Decanted 2.5 hours, during which time the aromas faded substantially and while the wine was pleasant, extremely smooth and elegant, it lacked the flavor dimension promised by the initial aromas. I would not decant next time if such initial aromas are present.
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Decanted for 2.5 hr. Strawberry and charcoal on the nose with a hint of fresh fennel. Coffee and strawberries on the palate mixed with a bit of chocolate. Smooth and elegant. Finish lingers on and on and on. Drinking perfectly, well worth the wait.
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My last bottle....GORGEOUS! Soft and smooth, yet still has structure....this wine is all about silky aged Calif. Cabernet. Plum, cherry, currant fruit...sweet and ripe, complexed with dusty aged cigar box, tobacco spice, dark chocolate, dried leaves/herbs, and nice minty/eucalyptus oak. Slight downside....a little sour plum skin tartness. But, at age 16....super stuff. Love 1991 Calif. Cabernet!!!
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The wine opened up after a few minutes in the glass and then a bit more time to get past the oak, but what a great wine! More complex than the Napa, with a classic Sonoma Cab herbal hit to the deep fruit and a great long finish. This seemed on plateau, don't wait too long...
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Dinner and Fine, Aged Wine at Le Francais (Wheeling, IL): Bright ruby to purple color with a wide open nose of sweet cassis fruit and vanilla. Palate is smooth and soft. Red fruit and some herbs. Quite tasty though lacking complexity.
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From memory. This was a very nice, well integrated complex cali cab. Not over the top in ripeness, concentration or sweetness, but very well rounded. Drinking perfectly now, will not likely improve. 3/05
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Consumed at the Alessio home on New Year's Eve. Two bottles taken from my personal cellar and decanted separately. Both bottles clean, showing no discernible difference. Bright disc. Deep garnet robe with brick rim. Clean nose, showing a moderately intense bouquet of kirsch, chocolate, fennel and nutmeg. Full-bodied on the palate, with low-to-medium acidity, melted tannins and similar flavors as for the nose. Medium, smooth finish.
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15 BOTTLES OF SILVER OAK 1986 TO 1992 (Walnut Creek, Ca.): Silver Oak Tasting of 15 wines. Rich, herbal nose, fruity nose with a touch of sweatsox, on the palate, very rich berry fruit, herbal, good acid, medium/long finish. My #14 of 15.
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Nearly opaque ruby, still with red rim. Intense nose of American oak, currants, cassis, herbs and vanilla. Full body, moderately tannic, with similar flavors on palate as on nose. Long, mildly tannic finish. This wine is still young. It should provide good drinking over the next several years.
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9/29/2023 - mick978@gmail.com Likes this wine: 93 Points
Nostalgic wine for me. Definitely needs to be drunk. I don’t see these wines holding on another 10-15 years.
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12/22/2022 - rmcnees Likes this wine: 90 Points
This bottle was pleasantly dramatically different from last tasting in 2019, when it showed diminution from aging, past its prime and nearing the end of its drinking window. Tonight, this exceeded expectations, showing life remaining in its drinking window with little if any diminution from aging, perhaps bottle variation of that other bottle.
Dark ruby color, medium full bodied, bright full expressive tangy dark plum, cherry and black currant fruits with herbs, spics and notes of sweet oak on the acidic long finish.
https://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2022/12/special-silver-oak-birthyear-wines-for.html
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12/4/2022 - chicsucre wrote:
Birth year bottle on birthday celebration
Bright ruby - garnet
Pronounced red cherries and blackberry, yellow bell peppers, bay leaves, eucalyptus, vanilla, mushroom
Medium++ finish
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8/6/2022 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 94 Points
At Silver Oak Release Day, Cellar Tasting, nose of red cherry, black cherry, allspice, same on the palate, big body, very tasty, rich fruit, mouth filling fruit, almost elegant, great winery storage showed with this tasting, delicious, long finish, lovely aftertaste, reminds me of the good old days At Silver Oak!!!!
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4/16/2022 - jviz wrote: 93 Points
PnP. Auction bottle from Brentwood and it showed well. Lots of high toned redcurrant aromatics with a little bit of underripe green stemmy oak and high acidity. Bears no resemblance to the Silver Oaks of the mid 2000s and beyond. This was a lovely, old school cab with ample richness. Most thought 96 or younger, and were surprised at the reveal. I think it’s in the zone and by no means past prime.
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11/26/2021 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 93 Points
Nose of red cherry, black cherry, hints of herbs and allspice, same on the palate, big body, very tasty, rich fruit, mouth filling fruit, almost elegant, slightly past its prime but holding well, bought 3 bottles at auction two months ago, long finish, lovely aftertaste.
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9/27/2021 - ElAzul Likes this wine: 91 Points
Cedar and forest floor nose initially but dark berry notes eventually emerge. Very tannic initially but smooths out with airing. Dark berry fruit much more evident after 24 hours open and splashing back and forth with two glasses. I remember this wine was much more refined when it was younger and the fruit was much more forward . Tannin is still a little tough which I find surprising. But there is a nice long finish as fruit and acid continue to integrate.I am saving a couple of these to help my brother celebrate his wedding anniversary.
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4/11/2020 - VinoLiddle Likes this wine:
Very good
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12/4/2019 - chatters wrote:
First Wednesday Wine Club (Napoli in Bocca, Haberfield): Served blind. Rich, ripe, blackberry, sweet spice, plums, cream, biscuit, cheesy, slight charcuterie under this. In the mouth it's got juicy acid, polished oak, plenty of ripe black fruit, chalky tannins, slightly jubey, chocolate. Massive. Guessed California Cabernet but late noughties.
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12/13/2017 - greg@newsomehh.com wrote:
I think this bottle has turned
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11/4/2017 - StevenM Likes this wine: 90 Points
This wine aged excellently over the years and though still spectacular, it passed its peak a few years back. A classic full and fruity Cabernet, exciting through the finish. Tannins gone, now medium finish. Though fading, well balanced cherry, strawberry, chocolate, leather, and a touch of pepper in the finish.
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10/7/2017 - seijaro Does not like this wine: 75 Points
Pretty much gone... tart, no fruit left.
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6/15/2017 - seijaro wrote: 90 Points
Not as good as the last bottle... started at 89 out of the decant, blipped as high as 91-92 after 90 minutes and with ribs, but then quickly faded back. After two hours it was getting tart and astringent. Reaching the end of its window.
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12/26/2016 - jermainiac Likes this wine: 93 Points
Luscious and silky. All of the tannins gone but still loads of ripe fruit. Cork disintegrated, so had to run through a fine sieve. Was lovely with Prime Rib Roast. Was ready to drink. Like smooth silk.
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8/21/2016 - Racer117 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Elegant and restrained (unlike the 2013 Carter Cellars OG opened as well). Primarily red fruit with prominent floral aromas; medium body with red berry, earth, and spices and balanced texture. Aged to perfection.
Another thanks to Ted for opening.
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8/4/2015 - Telacey Likes this wine: 94 Points
Great color and explosive floral nose. The wine is still in its prime and was one of the best bottle I have had from this producer.
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4/11/2015 - Montaniel Likes this wine: 91 Points
really delicious after decanting for over an hour....
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9/13/2014 - ctwinter Likes this wine:
Donated to Lung Cancer Initiative Tasting
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8/24/2013 - bigdogflow Likes this wine: 90 Points
Heavy leather on the nose. Lots of dark fruit taste, but had an unusual tart, acidic finish on the first glass. After sitting out for an hour and a half, finish was smooth. Enjoyable wine.
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10/21/2012 - SteveHoch wrote: 90 Points
Still doing quite nicely...pretty big surprise, while a litlle brick like in color along the edges, the wine still had nice dark fruit and structure.
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6/8/2012 - tarheel17 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Chris and I suffered a rough day as new parents. So I decided it was time to open our last bottle of this. We deserve it.
nose: herbally delicious. I really do like the 1990s Silver Oaks. Perhaps I should give one of the more recent vintages a try, but from everything I've read, I"m not so sure I'd enjoy it. Anywho...
plate: light, refined, yet grippy at the end. The fruit is quite poised, the acid is simply perfect, and the finish has just a hint of soy nut to reinforce its 22 years. The best of my bottles yet. Or is the fact that my little angel is FINALLY asleep coloring this note? Who cares. I'm loving this glass of wine.
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3/30/2012 - Meadow11 wrote: 95 Points
Authentic Steak Night with the boys..I had several of these for many years and decided to open 2 of them on this special occassion. Outstanding!!! Had a slight musty nose on initial open but, faded quickly to reveal a smokey/ berry delight. Deep red color with slight orange on the rim but, no problem whatsoever. Still plenty of fruit and lots of big oak. Long lasting finish with a hint of tobacco. Did not taste one bit past its peak. Decanted for 2hrs and got even better as the night progressed. Easily the best Alexander I have had.
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12/26/2011 - Kemo Sabe wrote: 92 Points
Solid bottle. Didnt know what to expect from this 20 yr old Cab but it scored well. Good color - still deep with a little light edge around the wine. Gave it about 30 minutes of air - only got better over dinner. A soft, nuanced wine in the mouth. Some cherry, charcoal, other ripe fruits. A pleasure.
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7/1/2011 - Hodby wrote: 92 Points
Medium red-garnet, pale-edged. Smokey American oak leads the nose to ripe not overripe cherry, dill, mints, and leather. A little bell pepper. Low tannin and acidity. Voluptuous and fat in the mouth, there's heaps off cherry fruit and medium char oak here. Fascinating how well the wine has aged and held on; it was soft on release and I'd not imagined fifteen years much less twenty-plus lay ahead of it on first release. From magnum.
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5/11/2011 - IAMVLAD wrote: 92 Points
delicious. in much better shape than the same vintage napa bottling which i had sometime back. charming, tannins fully resolved. silver oak as it once was.
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3/19/2011 - johnwine Likes this wine: 93 Points
This is a superb St. Julien styled wine from California. It was approaching its peak and in perfect condition.
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1/22/2011 - jdabrowski1027 wrote: 91 Points
Good showing for this old dog. I would say to pop the cork, and let it sit for 8 hours, no decant. The nose was very different, some mint and or eucalyptus. Got a lot of coffee grounds, cran, leather and 'shrooms. Showed very well and enjoyable.
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1/21/2011 - gblacave wrote: 91 Points
1990s California Cabernet (Charlie Palmer Steak - Washington DC): Opened up with a nose of sweet red currant fruit, a touch of dill, obviously Cali with a robust fruit profile, but some nice earth notes with mushroom and underbrush. On the palate this is getting a little tired, but showed pretty well. Red currant and black raspberry with smokey vanillan and dill notes underlying. This is a good effort and my first experience with fully mature Silver Oak from an era when a different style of wine was made.
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1/21/2011 - tooch wrote: 91 Points
California Cabernet at Charlie Palmer's (Charlie Palmer's - DC): Exotic nose of mint, cranberries and eucalyptus. The palate had really nice cranberry flavors with subtle coffee and mushrooms. Thought this had a really deep, sophisticated palate.
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11/25/2010 - MadTownWine wrote: 93 Points
Evolved beautifully over 2+ hours. Classic cal cab. Still has 5 years of evolution.
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8/14/2010 - JJB007 wrote: 90 Points
past it's prome. but still good
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7/1/2010 - Hodby wrote: 92 Points
Clouded medium ruby. Cedary, earthy, leafy nose of baked cherry and rhubarb with American Oak overlain.Silky and round in the mouth. Flavors complex, matching the nose, tannin fully resolved. Smooth finish, lovely. Bottle #2 of two.
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6/18/2010 - JJB007 wrote: 94 Points
truly marvelous and smooth
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3/31/2010 - msu wrote: 91 Points
Still drinking nicely. Excellent example of a California cab with some age. Last bottle of six, and wish I had more.
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3/7/2010 - jmcelroy wrote: 91 Points
Consumed at dinner with friends along with a '91 Silver Oak Napa. Lovely, vibrant flavors. Holding much better than expected. The Alexander was delightful but just not as big as the Napa.
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2/21/2010 - tarheel17 wrote: 92 Points
I quite liked the dill oak infusion here, and I preferred the SO to the 1991 meritage from carmenet (which was more angular and less polished). Holding up nicely, though, I think my winebid purchase was a killer.
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2/15/2010 - RoccoSydney wrote: 91 Points
Just a tiny bit of fruit left in the nose. Color is a bit brownish, light, almost see thru.
Initial taste is has the slightest tannin, then blackberry. Quite nice.
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7/19/2009 - jorgerunfast wrote: 93 Points
Drank from a magnum. Opened, not decanted, let breathe for 2 hours. Very very little sediment, which was weird. First thought from everyone who tried it was "whoa, barnyard". It wasn't overwhelming, but it just wasn't expected. This bottle has aged very nicely. Beautiful mature nose of aged fruit and earthy dirt and leather. It was medium-bodied with fully-resolved tannin and a nice longish finish (30+ seconds). Definitely a wonderful bottle of wine. That being said, it is certainly at its' prime, and I'd be weary of a 750ml bottle as maybe just on the downside. Drink 'em if you got 'em!
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4/11/2009 - msu wrote: 89 Points
Not up to the standards of the previous bottle. Nose was very faint and the flovors somewhat muted. Still nice, but this bottle seemed to be fading. Two more coming in from winebid, so it will be interesting to see how those bottles have held up.
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3/27/2009 - msu wrote: 93 Points
This was a very nice wine just in from winebid.com. The color was surprisingly dark for a 18 year old bottle. The nose was pleasant, fruity and earthy. Very smooth on the palate, well integrated tannis. Flavors of cherries, blackberries, tobacco and a hint of chocolate. The finish was not as long as I would have expected, though that certainly was not a bid deal. I am anxious to drinky my other bottle.
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3/20/2009 - Millercg68 wrote: 88 Points
Serious funk on the nose and on the front end just after opening. After an hour the funk receeded a bit. Still very smooth through the mid pallet and back end with traditional SO flavors coming through nicely. Very mild tannins. This is still drinking ok, but past it's prime.
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3/13/2009 - danallen18 wrote: 92 Points
I had a chance to try this beauty last night over a rosemary seasoned pot roast I cooked. I decanted about 30 minutes to let it open and immediately got hints of cedar and tobacco. On the pallet faint tannins were detected with hints of pencil lead, dry casis and a touch of chocolate. With dinner the wine still held up nicely with the robust flavors of the meat. I would drink it up now if you got it, because it will be past due any time now. Enjoy!
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3/6/2009 - tarheel17 wrote: 89 Points
nose: super vegetables on the nose.Luckily, I'm in the mood for them. It's like being in the garden mid-summer.
palate: acidity is alive and well, with vegetable medley and dark cherries. Tannins are faint but not absent. Finishes with more cherry and a little pencil lead on top of the green bell pepper finale. The finish is shorter than I'd like, however, but I'll have no problem finishing this tonight over ribeyes, baked potatoes and lemon asparagus.
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7/22/2008 - pb everhard wrote: 92 Points
excellent wine. decanted for a shrot while. very little sediment. Just starting to change color. Lovely!
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5/24/2008 - stoneb wrote: 93 Points
Decanted for about 30 minutes. Very dark with a small amount of sediment. Big cabernet nose of cherry, chocolate, and cedar. Wonderful full body with smooth tannins. Flavors of cherry, blackberry and tobacco dominate. Excellent aged CA cab. Will hold for a few more years, but don't see any improvement from here.
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12/18/2007 - skm95t wrote: 84 Points
Jay and V brought this bottle over for my birthday, the best thing I can say is this was Average with a capital A. This was my first experience with silver oak, and I hope this was just a bad vintage because I've had better for much less money. The nose had some interesting qualities out of the bottle with some brett characteristics, then as it opened over 30 minutes unripe green aromas began to dominate, underlying was some current, cherry, vanilla, and clove. The biggest disappointment was the palate, it was thin, acidic, and honestly very boring with kind of a tart cherry finish.
In thinking about some other wines I've had lately it drank exactly like a $15 bordeaux (2001 Ch. Greysac) I had about a month ago, and it would be completely blown away by the 2000 Lewelling I had last week. This opinion sounds critical, and for another wine I would completely dismiss this, but ever since I've been into wine I've heard about silver oak and this wine was completely disappointing. Too bad, at least I didn't pay for it.
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9/29/2007 - dv002i wrote: 94 Points
Decanted for 30 minutes. Strawberry and charcoal with a little herb on the nose. Strawberries and chocolate dance on the tongue. Extremely smooth and elegant. Finish keeps on going. After 3hrs the wine started declining from oxygen contact, so drink within 3 hours of opening for optimal quality. This is the 2nd bottle I've had this year and now is the time to drink it. Just wish I had a few more...
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9/4/2007 - joburn wrote: 90 Points
Opened well before dinner; aromas were of chocolate and strawberry and very elegant cedar, and extremely pleasing. Decanted 2.5 hours, during which time the aromas faded substantially and while the wine was pleasant, extremely smooth and elegant, it lacked the flavor dimension promised by the initial aromas. I would not decant next time if such initial aromas are present.
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8/27/2007 - dv002i wrote: 94 Points
Decanted for 2.5 hr. Strawberry and charcoal on the nose with a hint of fresh fennel. Coffee and strawberries on the palate mixed with a bit of chocolate. Smooth and elegant. Finish lingers on and on and on. Drinking perfectly, well worth the wait.
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7/18/2007 - theferb wrote: 93 Points
Ready to drink. Great wine.
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4/5/2007 - Mrbuzz wrote: 94 Points
My last bottle....GORGEOUS! Soft and smooth, yet still has structure....this wine is all about silky aged Calif. Cabernet. Plum, cherry, currant fruit...sweet and ripe, complexed with dusty aged cigar box, tobacco spice, dark chocolate, dried leaves/herbs, and nice minty/eucalyptus oak. Slight downside....a little sour plum skin tartness. But, at age 16....super stuff. Love 1991 Calif. Cabernet!!!
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10/28/2006 - Grinner wrote: 93 Points
The wine opened up after a few minutes in the glass and then a bit more time to get past the oak, but what a great wine! More complex than the Napa, with a classic Sonoma Cab herbal hit to the deep fruit and a great long finish. This seemed on plateau, don't wait too long...
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8/22/2006 - Nanda wrote: 90 Points
Dinner and Fine, Aged Wine at Le Francais (Wheeling, IL): Bright ruby to purple color with a wide open nose of sweet cassis fruit and vanilla. Palate is smooth and soft. Red fruit and some herbs. Quite tasty though lacking complexity.
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2/16/2006 - TinMan wrote: 93 Points
A big, typical Silver Oak with a dry finish --- wonderful! Seems to have kept well and probably will be fine for another decade.
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12/21/2005 - jsw wrote: 94 Points
Beautiful and remarkably crisp for it's age.
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8/13/2005 - buckeye76 wrote: 92 Points
BLACK CHERRIES AND BLACKBERRIES IN THE NOSE AND FLAVOR WITH TOUCHES OF MINT AND LICORICE. MEDIUM TO LONG FINISH.
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3/1/2005 - winefool wrote: 92 Points
From memory. This was a very nice, well integrated complex cali cab. Not over the top in ripeness, concentration or sweetness, but very well rounded. Drinking perfectly now, will not likely improve. 3/05
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12/31/2003 - La Cave d'Argent wrote: 90 Points
Consumed at the Alessio home on New Year's Eve. Two bottles taken from my personal cellar and decanted separately. Both bottles clean, showing no discernible difference. Bright disc. Deep garnet robe with brick rim. Clean nose, showing a moderately intense bouquet of kirsch, chocolate, fennel and nutmeg. Full-bodied on the palate, with low-to-medium acidity, melted tannins and similar flavors as for the nose. Medium, smooth finish.
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5/17/2003 - dbg wrote:
Outstanding, best of trio of '91 SO, Mindy guessed Shafer HS
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5/28/2002 - dbg wrote:
excellent-outstanding
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10/26/2000 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 86 Points
15 BOTTLES OF SILVER OAK 1986 TO 1992 (Walnut Creek, Ca.): Silver Oak Tasting of 15 wines. Rich, herbal nose, fruity nose with a touch of sweatsox, on the palate, very rich berry fruit, herbal, good acid, medium/long finish. My #14 of 15.
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12/22/1999 - La Cave d'Argent wrote: 91 Points
Nearly opaque ruby, still with red rim. Intense nose of American oak, currants, cassis, herbs and vanilla. Full body, moderately tannic, with similar flavors on palate as on nose. Long, mildly tannic finish. This wine is still young. It should provide good drinking over the next several years.
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