Even at 27+ years of age, this was a lovely bottle of CA cabernet. Once it got some air (yes, I think a short decant at that stage is still appropriate) it began to open. It was everything that you would expect from a wonderful Silver Oak - smooth, balanced, aromatic, great ruby color, lovely on the palate (with that "hint of eucalyptus"), and a very nice finish. If you have this wine, it is time to start enjoying them. This Silver Oak confirms what I have always thought - if one is patient with the great CA wines. you will be rewarded.
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An extremely well aged bottle. Dark ruby color. Notes of grass and berry, all tanninshad softened. Decanted for a few hours and it was beautiful without a drop of sediment in the bottle.
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Remember back in the day when Silver Oak was something to be sought after? Then several years later it became the object of derision. Turns out the wines were pretty well made, if on the (more than) decidedly oaky side. Twenty-seven years since release, and this has mellowed into a suave yet still oaky wine. It’s pretty good if you can accept the wood treatment. Tannins are resolved, there’s still some berry fruit, and it’s got a layer of vanilla cream that would make Ina Garten howl in jealousy. Serve with rich food, as it tames the obvious elements of the wine, and eases the guilt of the global deforestation required to create it.
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Easter Brunch 2021 (Flemings, Walnut Creek, Ca.): Almost 6 years since I opened a 1996, paired with the Flemings Steak Burger, cork broke into 3 parts on opening, lovely, rich coffee nose with black berry, and chocolate, same on the palate, big body, rich fruit, mouth filling fruit, shows age but will easily hold another 5 years, bret on nose gradually increased as the 2 hour brunch continued, this was an incentive to finish the bottle and we did just that, long, flavorful finish.
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We opened and decanted. Due to the age it needed to be decanted as it had thrown a bunch of silt. This wine had been properly cellared and it showed. Well aged and was delicious. Nice well structured tannins, good finish and matured level of fruit still present. Still a big American Cabernet that went well with a heavy rich meal.
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Drank along side a 2001 and a 2002 Silver Oak Alexander.
Cork was shot but wine was still fine. This was just a bit past it’s peak. Tinge of brown on the edges. But you can still taste that this was a prodigious wine at its best. Don’t wait.
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Signed bottle purchased at the release party. Cold cellared its entire life. Simple and cedary, with a short finish. I wish I had enjoyed this it its youth when it was fruity and oaky. Past it prime. At a dinner party they passed on it for other wines.
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Purple with noticeable bricking. Muted nose of black berry, light leather, and slight green notes maybe from the minimal Cabernet Franc. Some fruit in the mouth, but not in balance. Certainly mature and faded from earlier bottles. Ends with light tannins.
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Decanted about 2 hours. These bottles aged well. The nose is not as aromatic as I expected it would be for a '96 Oakville/Napa, though the fruit shined through and some secondary notes of cedar and forest floor. The fruit is still prominent, though the tannins are disappearing. I blame the cool outdoor temperature and short decant time. I think another hour of decant and 5-10 degree warmer temp would definitely make the score a notch higher.
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Nose of leather, black cherry fruit, old style cabernet sauvignon nose with hints of chocolate, more of the same on the palate, delicious, medium/big body, mouth filling and rich tasting on the mid palate, elegant, a wine to sip and savor, showed it's age the second night but still delicious tasting, should last five years but why wait-drink now, long finish, and fruity aftertaste.
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Was gifted this bottle... Like others, I expected this to be over the hill and it certainly was not. Overdone, definitely, but no rush to drink. Not my style...Vanilla and oak dominate the nose, dark fruit in the background. Viscous and concentrated, more dark fruits and some espresso/cocoa, structure holds it up. Distinct heat, not a refined wine, but definitely has power and concentration.
First bottle that I tested the Coravin on, will add a followup after a couple of weeks.
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no formal notes taken but I had expected this bottle to be over the hill and it was not. It was surprisingly fruit forward with rasberry and cassis. Not very well balanced though.
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Velvet and Dark red. Dense, but a little dim. Nose of Eukalypt, Cedar and Dark Chocolate. Present Oak influence with Vanilla and hints of Sweetness. Later some Rum and Cassis Jam. As well as Floral characters. Leather. Round and pleasant. The taste is driven by secondary characters as Granite and Leather. No fruit, but bitter, due to present tannins, and leathery. Medium finish with Bitterness, which disappeared after four hours. Good mouthfeel, but a little weak on the palate. Faded. The recommended drinking window for this wine is up to 2019, but this experience clearly showed, that this wine is past its peak. It´s is round and soft, but has a bitter aftertaste. While the nose is pleasant and inviting, the wine lacks complexity and, mostly, flavor intensity and depth. See my Blog: cellartv.wordpress.com for more details!
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American Belle 1st Edition (Switzerland): Tasted blind: Intensive deep red. Ripe berry notes, flintstone and a note that reminds of card board. Still tannic but balanced. Quite rich, with flavors of red berries, Kirsch and licorice. Now fully mature. Drink - 2020.
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PNP last night for my 20th Anniversary dinner. Restrained, with Olives, dark fruit and maybe cedar. Elegant feminine wine, that had some balance and a hint of slightly sweet spice.Did not knock my socks off but clearly a well made and enjoyable wine. Thought it was till in a good drinking window, with some life left, but not tons. 90-91 points
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This was my favorite tonight. Nose of rich chocolate and black cherry fruit, more of the same on the palate, intense, almost brooding, more chocolate like as the evening went on, lovely rich black fruit taste, medium/long finish, lovely aftertaste. An elegant wine. Will hold but lovely to drink now. Similar notes from another bottle tasted one month earlier.
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Drank a vertical of Silver Oak Napa for New Years: 1996-2003 (we just ran out of energy some didn't make it to the 2004 and 2005). The 1996 was holding up beautifully with great harmony between the oak and fruit. Soft tannins and velviety palate. Just starting to show some pruininess, but mostly the fruit was fresh. My guess was it had another decade or more. All the wines were holding up just fine thank you. Of particular note was the 1998, which in the past was one on the weakess years, yet , compared to the 1997, the 1998 was singing with fruit and freshness. Similarly, the 2000 had great intensity with some extra sweetness which perhaps made it the best of the tasting. We were all privileged to celebrate 2012 with this outstanding portfolio from Justine Myers. Happy New Year to all Cellartrackers!
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Dark ruby with a tawny cast; fairly nice legs. Aroma is mild overall - peppery, alcoholic and tannic. Tannins are still fairly strong for the taste and mouthfeel, despite the age. Pretty earthy and spicy, with some fruity undercurrents of blackberry and cherry. Very dry on the finish.
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A nice, well-aged Napa cab. Decanted for about two hours and I think it could have used a little bit more time. Very oaky for the first twenty minutes in the glass, but slowly unwound into a well-balanced cab with notes of cherries and vanilla. A medium-length finish. Solid, but not spectacular.
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This bottle was a gift from thefather of a gal I dated 10 years ago....This was the bottle that started my collection! I enjoyed with a 24oz. Ribeye on Fathers Day!
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Enjoyed a magnum for B's Big B-day with a small group at Rosebud in ATL. Was a bit reluctant due to most recent comments, but it ended up being a huge hit - - good/great nose, smooth with a long finish - - thoroughly enjoyed by all incl. good friend and Iron Chef, KR!
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Dark garnet color in the glass, fairly clear hue. Nose of briar patch, herbs du Provence, rose petals, white pepper and DILL. Flavors of DILL dominate along with some notes of berries. Light acidity, light to medium tannins, medium body. Clipped finish. Drink now if not yesterday.
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Customer Favorites and Valentine's Wines (Farpointe Cellar): the nose was very earthy - dirt and cedar mainly. There was also spice, cherry, black currant, and some plum at the end. The palate had a lot of body. It had cherry and spice, black currant, dirt, and a great plum finish.
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Californication (Crown Wine Cellars, Hong Kong): Fantastic deep red translucent colour. Perfect and complex Bordeaux-style nose. Gorgeous palate- poised, lots of blackberry fruit and lovely aged-oak harmony. Good length. Has 10+ years ahead of it to evolve more.
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Deep red color, some tanis when compared to the 88 opened at the same time. Tasting done upon opening and 30 minutes later. Smooth past tanis and slight oak. Nice lingering taste.
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One of the smoothest wines that I have had. Full of dark fruit. Still had some tannins so could age another couple of years, unfortunately I don't have any more.
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Still full of fruit and vanilla, it has lost the sweet (almost cloying) flavors that it had when the wine was still young. It still tasted young and fresh, and I know I could have continued cellaring it. Typically Silver Oak, with the balance tilted much farther to the oak than is common.
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Dark fruits, chocolate, and green olive. Palate shows overwhelming oak tannins with a pickle-juice like component; still, not unenjoyable. Ready to drink.
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Decanted then consumed over 4 hour window. Intense ruby red color. Very nice spice and fruit on the nose. Smooth, integrated mouth feel with a blast of berry fruit up front and a lot of spice with a long, silky finish.
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Classic nose of dark fruits with a hint of black chrerry. Very nice in the mouth with recessing tannins but still noticeable. Has some life left and was a good wine just nothing stood out.
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Meandered between too oaky and astringent to lovely sweet fruit and concentration. Decant atleast 30 min before because upon initail opening, way too alcholic
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No tasting notes. A pleasant surprise, clearly better than expected. Very nice balance and concentration of fruit with not too overpowering oak. Medium to long finish and it kept developing for hours. One of the better Silver Oak’s I’ve had in a while.
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Some nicely restrained Napa fruit on the nose with characteristic green, olivey, wood. A really oaky astringency to the palate, especially in the tannins, detracts from this wine. Some nice elements here but just too darn oaky to be anything special.
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Lovely black cherry fruit on the nose and a hint of dark chocolate, more of the same on the palate, sweet fruity mouthfilling wine, lovely sweet medium/long finish and pleasant black cherry/fruity aftertaste. Third place wine but easily could have been second place.
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Nice surprise. Decanted and drunk over 2-3 hours with steaks at Patrick's. Good fruit and balanced tannins with nice integrated oak and a long (but not very complex) finish. Really very nice. I'm guessing at its peak. More recent years of Silver Oak I have not liked due to their marked american oak.
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Good nose with spices, wood, and dark fruit. Initially sweet on entry. Fruit and tannins are well integrated with a long, supple finish. I can see why some professional reviewers called this wine fat, it makes now makes perfect sense. It went well with my slow roasted pork with root vegetables, Tom's dry aged steak, and Carrie's freshly ground medium rare hamburger with blue cheese. Everyone enjoyed this wine, so it was a good choice for Tom's birthday. Definitely a people pleaser.
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3/8/2024 - Labrador Likes this wine: 91 Points
Even at 27+ years of age, this was a lovely bottle of CA cabernet.
Once it got some air (yes, I think a short decant at that stage is still appropriate) it began to open. It was everything that you would expect from a wonderful Silver Oak - smooth, balanced, aromatic, great ruby color, lovely on the palate (with that "hint of eucalyptus"), and a very nice finish.
If you have this wine, it is time to start enjoying them.
This Silver Oak confirms what I have always thought - if one is patient with the great CA wines. you will be rewarded.
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12/31/2023 - Winokdub wrote: 92 Points
From a magnum and showing well though fully mature. Still nice but probably past its prime. 92 plus
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7/16/2023 - Bill_Raleigh wrote: 98 Points
An extremely well aged bottle. Dark ruby color. Notes of grass and berry, all tanninshad softened. Decanted for a few hours and it was beautiful without a drop of sediment in the bottle.
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4/10/2023 - Rieslingfan wrote:
Remember back in the day when Silver Oak was something to be sought after? Then several years later it became the object of derision. Turns out the wines were pretty well made, if on the (more than) decidedly oaky side. Twenty-seven years since release, and this has mellowed into a suave yet still oaky wine. It’s pretty good if you can accept the wood treatment. Tannins are resolved, there’s still some berry fruit, and it’s got a layer of vanilla cream that would make Ina Garten howl in jealousy. Serve with rich food, as it tames the obvious elements of the wine, and eases the guilt of the global deforestation required to create it.
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5/23/2021 - bryon m Likes this wine: 92 Points
Amazing! 25 years old - Round, Soft, good berry and plum from start to end. Maybe not that complex but delicious.
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5/17/2021 - dlduchon wrote: 85 Points
A bit tired old Napa Cab. I wish I drank it in its youth.
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4/4/2021 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 94 Points
Easter Brunch 2021 (Flemings, Walnut Creek, Ca.): Almost 6 years since I opened a 1996, paired with the Flemings Steak Burger, cork broke into 3 parts on opening, lovely, rich coffee nose with black berry, and chocolate, same on the palate, big body, rich fruit, mouth filling fruit, shows age but will easily hold another 5 years, bret on nose gradually increased as the 2 hour brunch continued, this was an incentive to finish the bottle and we did just that, long, flavorful finish.
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3/27/2021 - KFloveswine Likes this wine: 94 Points
We opened and decanted. Due to the age it needed to be decanted as it had thrown a bunch of silt. This wine had been properly cellared and it showed. Well aged and was delicious. Nice well structured tannins, good finish and matured level of fruit still present. Still a big American Cabernet that went well with a heavy rich meal.
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5/14/2020 - awkiii Likes this wine: 89 Points
lost its fruit. OK but I kept it too long in the cellar
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3/3/2020 - awkiii Likes this wine: 89 Points
a little past its prime but still OK
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10/26/2019 - Gladstone Lake Likes this wine: 93 Points
Drank along side a 2001 and a 2002 Silver Oak Alexander.
Cork was shot but wine was still fine. This was just a bit past it’s peak. Tinge of brown on the edges. But you can still taste that this was a prodigious wine at its best. Don’t wait.
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1/27/2019 - awkiii Likes this wine: 90 Points
a little over its peak but still good. did not have enough time to cecanter
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12/23/2018 - Gr8penut Likes this wine: 90 Points
Drink within 18 months!
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12/9/2018 - dlduchon wrote: 84 Points
Signed bottle purchased at the release party. Cold cellared its entire life. Simple and cedary, with a short finish. I wish I had enjoyed this it its youth when it was fruity and oaky. Past it prime. At a dinner party they passed on it for other wines.
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8/22/2017 - RR47 wrote: 90 Points
Purple with noticeable bricking. Muted nose of black berry, light leather, and slight green notes maybe from the minimal Cabernet Franc. Some fruit in the mouth, but not in balance. Certainly mature and faded from earlier bottles. Ends with light tannins.
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10/1/2016 - grafighter Likes this wine: 93 Points
Decanted about 2 hours. These bottles aged well. The nose is not as aromatic as I expected it would be for a '96 Oakville/Napa, though the fruit shined through and some secondary notes of cedar and forest floor. The fruit is still prominent, though the tannins are disappearing. I blame the cool outdoor temperature and short decant time. I think another hour of decant and 5-10 degree warmer temp would definitely make the score a notch higher.
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5/1/2016 - MarceloIdeses Likes this wine: 93 Points
95 and 96 are great vintages, and underrated wines. Drink now, near to close the window.
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4/12/2016 - TFTI Likes this wine: 94 Points
Booming fruitful nose, butter!
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11/26/2015 - matzeller wrote: 94 Points
Smooth yet still enough fruit after all those years.
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8/11/2015 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 94 Points
Nose of leather, black cherry fruit, old style cabernet sauvignon nose with hints of chocolate, more of the same on the palate, delicious, medium/big body, mouth filling and rich tasting on the mid palate, elegant, a wine to sip and savor, showed it's age the second night but still delicious tasting, should last five years but why wait-drink now, long finish, and fruity aftertaste.
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12/14/2014 - Gabe Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drinking well but time to drink up. Still some nice fruit left but not sure how long it'll be there. Very enjoyable bottle.
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10/11/2014 - kv Likes this wine: 92 Points
Soft tannins, but still balanced and drinks well.
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8/9/2014 - winehunter wrote: 87 Points
Got much better after the second hour
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5/10/2014 - joshbryer Does not like this wine:
Was gifted this bottle... Like others, I expected this to be over the hill and it certainly was not. Overdone, definitely, but no rush to drink. Not my style...Vanilla and oak dominate the nose, dark fruit in the background. Viscous and concentrated, more dark fruits and some espresso/cocoa, structure holds it up. Distinct heat, not a refined wine, but definitely has power and concentration.
First bottle that I tested the Coravin on, will add a followup after a couple of weeks.
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1/19/2014 - Bordeauxman wrote: 88 Points
no formal notes taken but I had expected this bottle to be over the hill and it was not. It was surprisingly fruit forward with rasberry and cassis. Not very well balanced though.
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11/14/2013 - Rossdhu House wrote: 95 Points
Wow, incredibly smooth & balanced. Among the best ever from Silver Oak. Drink it now though as it is on the backside of the curve.
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10/24/2013 - Rossdhu House wrote: 95 Points
Wow. Completely smooth, balanced and a perfectly softer finish. Some of the aroma has definitely faded but it's still amazing. Drink it now.
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7/9/2013 - Brett Likes this wine: 94 Points
Fantastic wine!
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6/7/2013 - Hbgsurgeon wrote: 92 Points
At peak if not passed. Opened up over about 2 hours.
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6/1/2013 - RJ&JJ Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drink it now! Not going to improve any but a very impressive bottle of CA Cabernet from Napa!
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4/7/2013 - RussK wrote: 92 Points
Russk GC Wine Event at Pablo's. Probably the WOTN. 92
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3/18/2013 - WineCellarTV wrote: 88 Points
Velvet and Dark red. Dense, but a little dim.
Nose of Eukalypt, Cedar and Dark Chocolate. Present Oak influence with Vanilla and hints of Sweetness. Later some Rum and Cassis Jam. As well as Floral characters. Leather. Round and pleasant.
The taste is driven by secondary characters as Granite and Leather. No fruit, but bitter, due to present tannins, and leathery. Medium finish with Bitterness, which disappeared after four hours.
Good mouthfeel, but a little weak on the palate. Faded.
The recommended drinking window for this wine is up to 2019, but this experience clearly showed, that this wine is past its peak.
It´s is round and soft, but has a bitter aftertaste. While the nose is pleasant and inviting, the wine lacks complexity and, mostly, flavor intensity and depth.
See my Blog: cellartv.wordpress.com for more details!
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2/16/2013 - le fouloir wrote: 91 Points
Good. Tasty. Mature. Drink it.
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2/13/2013 - RR47 wrote: 89 Points
Medium red, nose of dark fruit, expresso, and some bell pepper. Soft fruit up fruit, that follows through to soft tannis and a 10 second finish.
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12/5/2012 - rjbr Likes this wine: 94 Points
Very Good. Gets better a while after open.
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11/22/2012 - Bordeauxman wrote: 90 Points
A blast from the past.Mature dark fruit, bit of crushed stone nose and taste. This was a good wine that is mature. It is imho time to drink up.
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11/2/2012 - Wine_lvr wrote: 89 Points
American Belle 1st Edition (Switzerland): Tasted blind: Intensive deep red. Ripe berry notes, flintstone and a note that reminds of card board. Still tannic but balanced. Quite rich, with flavors of red berries, Kirsch and licorice. Now fully mature. Drink - 2020.
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10/9/2012 - Coupe 60 wrote: 91 Points
PNP last night for my 20th Anniversary dinner. Restrained, with Olives, dark fruit and maybe cedar. Elegant feminine wine, that had some balance and a hint of slightly sweet spice.Did not knock my socks off but clearly a well made and enjoyable wine. Thought it was till in a good drinking window, with some life left, but not tons. 90-91 points
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9/15/2012 - Crestpark wrote: 95 Points
50th birthday wine. Great strong pepper start and finish.
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8/5/2012 - Corkdork79 wrote: 96 Points
Amazing wine, not past prime at all. Had it for our 26th anniversary.
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3/30/2012 - Amerique wrote: 91 Points
Still a little weedy and rough, doubt whether tannins will soften and fruit will open up
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3/4/2012 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 95 Points
This was my favorite tonight. Nose of rich chocolate and black cherry fruit, more of the same on the palate, intense, almost brooding, more chocolate like as the evening went on, lovely rich black fruit taste, medium/long finish, lovely aftertaste. An elegant wine. Will hold but lovely to drink now. Similar notes from another bottle tasted one month earlier.
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1/13/2012 - Shoredog wrote: 89 Points
A bit past prime, but still excellent. Tannins soft, fruit seemed a little faded.
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1/13/2012 - Brett wrote: 91 Points
A bit past prime.
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1/2/2012 - shiel wrote: 92 Points
Drank a vertical of Silver Oak Napa for New Years: 1996-2003 (we just ran out of energy some didn't make it to the 2004 and 2005). The 1996 was holding up beautifully with great harmony between the oak and fruit. Soft tannins and velviety palate. Just starting to show some pruininess, but mostly the fruit was fresh. My guess was it had another decade or more. All the wines were holding up just fine thank you. Of particular note was the 1998, which in the past was one on the weakess years, yet , compared to the 1997, the 1998 was singing with fruit and freshness. Similarly, the 2000 had great intensity with some extra sweetness which perhaps made it the best of the tasting. We were all privileged to celebrate 2012 with this outstanding portfolio from Justine Myers. Happy New Year to all Cellartrackers!
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12/26/2011 - Brett wrote: 93 Points
Great bottle.
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9/11/2011 - JJB007 wrote: 98 Points
it is dlicious- thankyou very much!!! very very clean, smooth, no tanins, no bites- nice, dry , smooth, it does not fight back
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9/6/2011 - bsp77 wrote: 86 Points
Dark ruby with a tawny cast; fairly nice legs. Aroma is mild overall - peppery, alcoholic and tannic. Tannins are still fairly strong for the taste and mouthfeel, despite the age. Pretty earthy and spicy, with some fruity undercurrents of blackberry and cherry. Very dry on the finish.
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5/4/2011 - gmat5497 wrote: 92 Points
Perfect. Everything was in balance with very nice finish.
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2/12/2011 - Matt T wrote: 89 Points
A nice, well-aged Napa cab. Decanted for about two hours and I think it could have used a little bit more time. Very oaky for the first twenty minutes in the glass, but slowly unwound into a well-balanced cab with notes of cherries and vanilla. A medium-length finish. Solid, but not spectacular.
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12/25/2010 - Giuseppe Donuts wrote: 93 Points
Delicious
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11/27/2010 - Red Loki Likes this wine: 90 Points
Had great depth, fruit and tannins. Tasted against '95 which was not very good.
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11/25/2010 - BernieMSY wrote: 92 Points
Good fruit, lots of life left
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8/24/2010 - jmprusko Likes this wine: 92 Points
Beautiful, much better than the Oak made in the 00's.
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6/21/2010 - sadiebear wrote: 90 Points
This bottle was a gift from thefather of a gal I dated 10 years ago....This was the bottle that started my collection! I enjoyed with a 24oz. Ribeye on Fathers Day!
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6/13/2010 - ghobby wrote: 95 Points
Still had great fruit; really nice wine; better than the 1997 opened night before
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6/13/2010 - Amerique wrote: 91 Points
Medium-bodied, round, sweet black cherry fruit with cedar, spice, currant, and earth flavors, finish OK, enjoyable but certainly not worth the expense
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6/2/2010 - brewster77 wrote: 92 Points
Enjoyed a magnum for B's Big B-day with a small group at Rosebud in ATL. Was a bit reluctant due to most recent comments, but it ended up being a huge hit - - good/great nose, smooth with a long finish - - thoroughly enjoyed by all incl. good friend and Iron Chef, KR!
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5/18/2010 - edkirwin wrote: 94 Points
Very tight at first -- after an hour opened up beautifully -- last bottle we have and we enjoyed it completely!
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2/13/2010 - wineismylife wrote: 87 Points
WIML87
Tasted at a retail tasting.
Dark garnet color in the glass, fairly clear hue. Nose of briar patch, herbs du Provence, rose petals, white pepper and DILL. Flavors of DILL dominate along with some notes of berries. Light acidity, light to medium tannins, medium body. Clipped finish. Drink now if not yesterday.
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2/13/2010 - mmurry wrote: 91 Points
Customer Favorites and Valentine's Wines (Farpointe Cellar): the nose was very earthy - dirt and cedar mainly. There was also spice, cherry, black currant, and some plum at the end. The palate had a lot of body. It had cherry and spice, black currant, dirt, and a great plum finish.
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9/27/2009 - bwaverley wrote: 95 Points
Arguably the best of a four year vertical tasting on 9/26 (1996 to 1999). Could have cellared another ten years with ease, but we loved it!
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9/19/2009 - Wine, Of Course! wrote: 94 Points
Deep purple fruits and cedar/smoke to die for; Rich, supple, powerful. Store +10 years.
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5/1/2009 - curtr wrote: 91 Points
Sorry to see the last bottle go. It has been a favorite of ours.
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4/28/2009 - Goldstone wrote: 95 Points
Californication (Crown Wine Cellars, Hong Kong): Fantastic deep red translucent colour. Perfect and complex Bordeaux-style nose. Gorgeous palate- poised, lots of blackberry fruit and lovely aged-oak harmony. Good length. Has 10+ years ahead of it to evolve more.
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4/12/2009 - curtr wrote: 92 Points
The wine has improved a lot in the past year. Very balanced, with a lot of character.
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2/3/2009 - hhhwine wrote: 92 Points
Deep red color, some tanis when compared to the 88 opened at the same time. Tasting done upon opening and 30 minutes later. Smooth past tanis and slight oak. Nice lingering taste.
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7/18/2008 - jivey wrote: 85 Points
Not a great bottle, anise some earth dark fruits but seemed past it's time.
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6/28/2008 - ToddR911 wrote: 94 Points
One of the smoothest wines that I have had. Full of dark fruit. Still had some tannins so could age another couple of years, unfortunately I don't have any more.
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6/17/2008 - curtr wrote: 91 Points
Fully drinkable now. A rich wine showing no signs of fading.
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4/19/2008 - 67WinePaul wrote: 90 Points
Still full of fruit and vanilla, it has lost the sweet (almost cloying) flavors that it had when the wine was still young. It still tasted young and fresh, and I know I could have continued cellaring it. Typically Silver Oak, with the balance tilted much farther to the oak than is common.
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2/16/2008 - psmith wrote:
Dark fruits, chocolate, and green olive. Palate shows overwhelming oak tannins with a pickle-juice like component; still, not unenjoyable. Ready to drink.
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2/9/2008 - curtr wrote: 91 Points
Drinking so well tonight that we consumed two bottles. These bottles were more expressive and richer in flavor than the October bottle.
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1/29/2008 - craigi wrote: 94 Points
Decanted then consumed over 4 hour window. Intense ruby red color. Very nice spice and fruit on the nose. Smooth, integrated mouth feel with a blast of berry fruit up front and a lot of spice with a long, silky finish.
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10/20/2007 - ejca wrote:
closed, not sure if it needs more time or it has lost it.
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10/20/2007 - curtr wrote: 90 Points
Still needs two more years to open up.
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5/31/2007 - gmat5497 wrote: 90 Points
Very nice. Not overpowering but very respectable.
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5/25/2007 - jivey wrote: 89 Points
Has to be one of the easiest drinking cabs, nice dark fruit, cedar box, anise, smoke and nice finish. Just seem to be missing the something extra????
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5/25/2007 - Brett wrote: 92 Points
Very nice fruit, it went up against a 90 Diamond Creek and a 97 Opus and the 96 Silver Oak was the winner.
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5/22/2007 - goofy Yno wrote: 88 Points
cassis, licorice, tabacco. oak, decent attack but thin midpalate. decent finish.
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5/22/2007 - kstoddard wrote: 89 Points
Black cherry, blackcurrant, vanilla, licorice, anise and cedar. The oak is not very well integrated. Very young tasting. Closed mid palate.
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4/18/2007 - WineForRob wrote: 90 Points
Classic nose of dark fruits with a hint of black chrerry. Very nice in the mouth with recessing tannins but still noticeable. Has some life left and was a good wine just nothing stood out.
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3/11/2007 - padapuma wrote: 91 Points
Meandered between too oaky and astringent to lovely sweet fruit and concentration. Decant atleast 30 min before because upon initail opening, way too alcholic
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2/25/2007 - Mark wrote: 92 Points
No tasting notes. A pleasant surprise, clearly better than expected. Very nice balance and concentration of fruit with not too overpowering oak. Medium to long finish and it kept developing for hours. One of the better Silver Oak’s I’ve had in a while.
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1/13/2007 - psmith wrote:
Annual holiday event (Columbus, OH): Still fruity, though with a very raw astringency due to the over-applied wood. Fans of SO should enjoy this.
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12/31/2006 - psmith wrote:
Some nicely restrained Napa fruit on the nose with characteristic green, olivey, wood. A really oaky astringency to the palate, especially in the tannins, detracts from this wine. Some nice elements here but just too darn oaky to be anything special.
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12/9/2006 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 92 Points
Lovely black cherry fruit on the nose and a hint of dark chocolate, more of the same on the palate, sweet fruity mouthfilling wine, lovely sweet medium/long finish and pleasant black cherry/fruity aftertaste. Third place wine but easily could have been second place.
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11/28/2006 - Cirrhotic wrote: 92 Points
Nice surprise. Decanted and drunk over 2-3 hours with steaks at Patrick's. Good fruit and balanced tannins with nice integrated oak and a long (but not very complex) finish. Really very nice. I'm guessing at its peak. More recent years of Silver Oak I have not liked due to their marked american oak.
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6/25/2006 - Melli wrote: 92 Points
I was impressed with this wine with looooong finish (40 seconds) and aged notes of tobacco, smoke, and leather. It wasn't what I was expecting.
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11/11/2005 - Krevitt wrote:
Just ok-jeff says good
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7/28/2005 - jsteel wrote:
was not that good of a bottle, was disappointed
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5/23/2005 - KellyW wrote: 88 Points
Nice young color. Very woody nose that follows on the palate. Good fruit but a bit overwhelmed by the oak.
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10/4/2004 - Easter Everywhere wrote:
Sell 1
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9/11/2004 - PatLee wrote:
Good nose with spices, wood, and dark fruit. Initially sweet on entry. Fruit and tannins are well integrated with a long, supple finish. I can see why some professional reviewers called this wine fat, it makes now makes perfect sense. It went well with my slow roasted pork with root vegetables, Tom's dry aged steak, and Carrie's freshly ground medium rare hamburger with blue cheese. Everyone enjoyed this wine, so it was a good choice for Tom's birthday. Definitely a people pleaser.
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3/1/2003 - peternelson wrote: 95 Points
Red Carpet: Jerky and mushrooms nose, brighter fruit; super silky, nice a’s & t’s.***Great friendly wine with nice fresh but complex berry flavors.
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