An auction bottle recently purchased, nose of black berry, black cherry, and mint, more of the same on the palate, tasty, mouth filling fruit, showing its age, but still showing well, not as nice as the 1997 opened 2 nights earlier, great with the Flemings Thanksgiving Day Dinner today, and a medium/long, flavorful finish, photo uploaded.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Opened on a whim for sipping. Cork broke but used my “Durand” corkscrew and it again salvaged the wine!! Wine is amazing. Smooth with very strong blackberry flavor with long finish!! Sorry that this is my last bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Another corked Silver Oak. Of over a 1000 bottle cellar the only winery that consistently has corked wines. That awful corked musty flavor that seems to be the norm of older Silver Oak wines despite cellared in temp & humidity controlled environment.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Silver Oak Healdsburg Tasting Experience (Silver Oak Cellars Healdsburg, Ca.): Tasting Silver Oak Healdsburg (Silver Oak Cellars Healdsburg, Ca.): opened by me for Tom and the staff, nose of black currants, black berry, spring flowers, and a touch of mint, same on the palate, medium/big body, time to enjoy is now, elegant, mouth filling fruit, very tasty, richer than the bottle opened last week although from the same auction lot, favorable comment from all, lovely, long finish, and flavorful aftertaste.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
An auction bottle recently purchased, nose of currants, black cherry, mint, and plum, more of the same on the palate, very tasty, mouth filling fruit, at peak or slightly past, smooth, supple and great with chicken, and a long, flavorful finish and aftertaste.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Early Christmas dinner with family. Post-peak, but still offers a lot of enjoyment. Has developed more of a Bordeaux leaning since last tasted, with secondary and tertiary elements fully replacing the fruit that existed prior. The tannins and oak are completely integrated, and it offers cedar, forest floor and pencil lead in the bouquet and on the palate. Drink soon.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
A little thin as it is at the end of its drinking window but more youthful than the one I opened 4 months ago. Completely integrated oak and tannins. Eucalyptus and some blueberry flavors peaking through. Not the barnyard of a good aged Bordeaux but some earthy flavors nonetheless. My bottle 4 months ago was a little faded and I thought an 89. This is much better but I would drink up.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
It was good. A little thin. It made me wonder if the early drinking style that SO was going for was a bad thing for a aged bottle. I enjoyed, but it drank think even after proper decanting. Note: zero sediment.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Drank this wine with a grilled flank steak and while it had aged well it was a little too mellowed and a bit thin in taste. Very soft and while I still liked the wine, it was definitely past its; prime.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Wow...what a surprise. Bought retail for a real discount but seller swore it had been well cellared. Perfect cork. Very dark garnet with wonderful fruit. Opened in the glass and then was really good as we finished a half hour later. Great eucalyptus, leather, with still a little grip at the end. I could see how this would be past if not cellared well but really lucked out. New found respect here. Still med-full bodied. Just a really nice wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Blueberries, black cherries and forest floor on the nose. Oak notes are there, as well, but blended nicely. Structured and balanced, with nicely integrated tannins, the fruit is lush with hints of mocha and tobacco leaf. Easy, silky smooth finish. For a 20 yrs old wine, it still holds together, and provides a wonderful drinking experience.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Nice California Cabernet with hefty dose of oak that is mostly integrated, and generous fruit. Still some structure hanging on here, so should be good for a while longer.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Dark blackish garnet colored, medium bodied, bright black cherry fruits predominate. At twenty years of age, this wine is starting to show its age a bit as the black cherry and black berry fruits, while predominant, are starting to give way to tones of tobacco leaf, hints of tea and dusty earth, yet, still accented by that legendary sweet oak flavor that is emblematic of the Silver Oak brand.
Very nicely aged Napa cab. popped and poured. Color was great, nose was singing. Nuanced and very interesting. I have been happily surprised by these mid level 20 year old cabs - they have stood the test of time wonderfully. I am making my way thorough a 1990-1998 vertical of S.O. going backward. First three are winners!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Nose of sage, dusty earth, black cherry fruit, plum, more of the same on the palate, has aged gracefully with lots of complexity tonight, old style 100% Cabernet Sauvignon fruit, medium body, delicious and showing it's quality well tonight, long, long finish. My #1/7
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Nose of bell pepper, sage, red berry and black berry fruits, more of the same on the palate, has aged gracefully with lots of complexity tonight, paired with the Chinese Basil Salmon and Vegetables, very delicious pairing, slightly passed it's prime, medium body, suggest you drink up if you own it, long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Surprisingly good, given community's drinking window. Classic old Silver Oak green pepper flavors, but resolved tannins while not flabby makes good drinking with long finish. Don't wait, drink 'em if you got 'em, but enjoy. Assumes good cellaring, of course.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Sweet rip cherry nose with hints of chocolate, oak and forest floor. 1st impression is perfect balance. Coats the entire tongue in smoothness and ends with a round, mineral and cherry finish that goes on and on. That finish also carries pleasant but minor barn-yard notes that compliment it well. Every sip was smooth, elegant and long, changing very little. Will age a bit more since it is so balanced but perfect right now. Its 19 years old and very impressive.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Excellent bottle. Good depth, nice smooth finish. Although its not a fruit bomb, its very very good. Still good fruit, mocha, and coffee. Great bottle. Ready to drink now. I have had good and bad 1996 silver oaks. But if its been stored properly then Its been excellent.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Past its prime, unfortunately. Still a little fruit, and the balance is right. But tends toward monolithic dark plum. Medium-long finish. Still purple, but some bricking on the edges of the glass. Drink now. This wine won't improve.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I opened the bottle and the nose held a mild cassis aroma. I then aerated the bottle, decanted it and let it sit at 55 degrees for two hours. The difference compared to the PnP was amazing. The nose was strong with significant cassis, vanilla and plum. The legs were medium. The color was deep purple with no amber tinge. The drinking experience was delightful. The tannins were firm but not overbearing. The wine had excellent structure and the alcohol was barely appreciated. The finish was extremely long at 60 seconds. All in all an outstanding bottle of 17 year old SO, an excellent example of Napa Cab at its best. I would drink it in the next 24 months and rate it 93.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Better second night (under pump) than first. First night seemed like tannins were still present but fruit was almost gone. Maybe it was something I ate, because second night was much more balanced and enjoyable. Still, definitely on the downswing, so drink 'em while you got 'em.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Obviously on its last legs but still some fruit that opened up nicely over a few hours. Tannins very fine and soft. Nose still very much a Cali cab with nice intensity. Soft and rich mouth-feel but lacking depth and length.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Getting some amber although still a good red color. Nose has lots of perfumey cedar, cherry, and and some green notes. Balanced mid with a little fruit, some coffee & olive, medium finish turns a bit tart. Tannins are soft, but still there. Notes tell me purchased 2 at a World Market in Arizona and brought home in a rollar board on a commercial plane when you still could. Got lost in my cellar until now. Surprising that the Alexander Valley still doing this well.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Has fallen off from note last year. Still very nice aged Cab, but lost that little something extra that made it special. Opened right after a 1996 CSJ Cinq Cepages, and CSJ won. Two very nice Sonoma cabs, but time has been a bit more kind to the Cinq Cepages. (I believe it had better storage conditions over most of its life, which helps.)
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This vintage of SO has had a nice career. It is just entering it's downside of peak (IMHO). The slightly aged flavors of tar and sweet cured black olive is peaking thru the cocoa and mocha fruit. Very good balance and a long finish. I actually felt disappointed in the 1st glass but it needed opening up and the aged flavors blended into the background for a pleasant wine. Still...DRINK NOW.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Slow-O 2 hours. Seems to be in a perfect place right now, with another 6-8 years of highly enjoyable drinking ahead of it. Youthful, surprisingly well balanced, and downright tasty. One of the better wines on the night.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Drank a verrtical of 96, 97, and 98 Alex. Served at room temperature. Opened an hour. The fruit on all 3 was draining out. All 3 had lots of dill, cedar and toothpick. More green showed in the 98 as has been typical since its release. The 97 was clearly the best, but the 96 was holding up strong, and a close second to the 97. Really enjoyable now and all three will last a good bit longer as none was showing any pruniiness or tobacco. Sadly I am done with all three. Long live Justine Meyer.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Ruby red with excellent fruit on the nose. I was concerned that it was over the hill...not so. Chocolate, tobacco, black cherries with a lingering finish. Still going strong.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Milder than we thought it would be when we first opened it, some fruits were still present. Had it with pizza ( home made of course ;-) ) and the spices really jumped.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Served this at a dinner party with strip steak. It was enjoyed by all. The corks were falling apart but the wine was in good shape; very mellow, dark fruit cedar and a bit of herb. This should be consumed now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
A well aged California cab. A distinctive nose that is intriguing. Bold herbaceous flavours that are classic silver oak with cedar and dill. May not be everyone's taste but I loved it. It has peaked. Don't wait. Wish I had more but alas this is the last.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Stunningly elegant. Beautiful example of a well-aged California Cab. Cedar and currants. Silky tannins - enough bite that you might be able to hold this a bit longer, but I don't think it will get any better. Took this to the football tailgate and drank with a grilled ribeye.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This was is at its peak with a beautiful nose of currants, sage, and black cherry fruit; more of the same on the palate, very fruitful, mouth filling, lovely, long finish; opened ove the two hour dinner and the nose got better and better. Lots of glycerin on the glass, very nice!! expecially with the filet mignon in bone at Flemings.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
All I can say is "WOW". I have drank many bottles over the period of several years and this bottle was by far the best. It follwed a 1996 Far Niente Cab. It was simply outstanding compared to the Far Niente, which has lost it's complexity with time.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
In 1972 Ray Duncan and Justin Meyer founded Silver Oak Cellars with the idea of making only one varietal – Cabernet Sauvignon. Meyer was a winemaker for Christian Brothers and Duncan brought his business background to the enterprise, and the winery has over the years proved to be one of the most successful in the state. Critics and connoisseurs admire Silver Oak’s polished style, and more than 35 years after its founding the winery still makes only Cabernet Sauvignon, sometimes blended with small amounts of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The winery owns 200 acres of vineyards in Alexander Valley and 15 in Napa Valley. About 50,000 cases are produced each year. Justin Meyer sold his shares of the winery to the Duncan family in 2001, and a second generation of Duncans is fully involved with winery operations.
Robert M. Parker Jr. 92 ...exhibits a pronounced smoky, espresso bean, and kirsch-scented nose. Round, dense, rich, full-bodied, and open-knit, its low acid flavors are undeniably appealing...”
Stephen Tanzer 87-90 ...Ripe aromas of cherry, dark chocolate, tar and mint. Less dense than the '97 but shows the baby fat of the vintage...Finishes with good length and slightly green tannins.”
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I tried to do this maximum justice by drinking the whole bottle slowly over a lazy Sunday afternoon with friends but it didn't repay the effort. Still a very attractive vibrant, deep red transparent colour and a nose of oak and fading blackcurrant. But the palate is acidic, flat, still sort-of fruity but no tannin left and very one-dimensional. No length at all and rather acidic in the stomach at the end.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tried again with another bottle bought from the Winery on release. Same as my May 2010 note:A light and elegant, fully mature Cali Cab that was great but just lacked any wow! factor. Poor QPR at the current retail price.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Opened this Magnum in the pool: Just like all the other other reviews say, it's very peaked. Drink now, its beautiful. Very nice balance and a pronounced elegance. Only slightly aged flavors in a medium body but a smokey mineral quality livens and freshens it up still.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Nicely aged, with the expected characteristics, initially a little reserved, but opened up with time, particularly on the 2nd day. Medium finish. Very good, but not particularly memorable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Saturday Tasting Group (Knightsbridge Wine Shop (Northbrook, IL)): Really surprised everyone. Showed really well amongst a group of Silver Oak haters - myself only slightly included. Spicy, medium dark fruit. Lots of pepper with robust cinnamon, nut meg and vanilla. Sour cherry is the most dominant fruit but can't compete with the spicey herbaciousness. Some nice roasted / stewed fruit. The palate is clean with light mocha and cola notes on the back end.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Wanted a Cab with dinner. Decided to try this, however unnecessarily wary based on CT comments and Laube's pan. Based on CT comments decanted immediately before dinner. It worked. No funk, or dryness, or excessive oak. Drank very well over 1/2 hour and improved somewhat. Like a good aged Bordeaux. Good nose, palate, and finish. 2 years ago we had a 96 BYO tasting dinner, because Craig Van Teuber was concerned about his 96's based on Laube's retrospective. As is not unusual, he is and was way off base!!!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Deep color. Pencil led, vanilla, berries. Has held up with age; a very pleasant layered wine though lacking a little bit of length, to be picky. Still drinking nicely. Enjoyed.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Still deep blood red transluncent colour. Nose is pencil lead, graphite, milk chocolate, vanilla pods, red cedar shingles, dark red cherries.....quite complex and multiple-layered. Palate is very integrated rounded resolved tannin and quite sharp blackcurrant fruit with great mid-palate acidity followed by distinct ripe black plums and slightly mouth-drying peach stones and stewed rhubarb and custard on the back end. All very warm and rounded. Some length but no resonance. A light and elegant, fully mature Cali Cab that was great but just lacked any wow! factor.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This last bottles was off the charts as aroma and flavors of SO came trough, It was better then one month ago from a 3.0 liter blottle - now, this is way a love SO in the early 90's!!!!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
typical SO Alex with great deep dark fruit and heavy oak. Expected the oak to tone down after 13 years in the bottle...but no. same old girl. still a teenager with lots of vitality remaining.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This bottle was much much better than the first bottle I drank about a year ago. The first bottle must have been asleep since this one still had some fruit and an actual finish! Not an overpowering wine (yes!) and built in an Old World style. Not stellar and not worth what I paid for it when it came out, but certainly a fine bottle of wine with the lamb we had along with it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Dark purple with a ruby accent in color...hesitant nose of dark fruit with an accent on dark berries and a tad of earth and a little...very little cigar box. Very resolved palate structure...barely holding on, but still engaging and showing some interesting fruit textures thru the evening...I kept expecting this to drop off, but it held its own over several hours and matched well with grilled ribeyes. Not overwhelmed, but still happy that it showed as well as it did.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Surprisingly outstanding. Bright, alive and full of fruit and complexity -- double blind a couple of tasters marked this as petit sirah. Certainly bettered my expectations, as well as other tasters' recent experience, but this was just the kind of fantastic, classic CA cab that put Napa/Sonoma on the map.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Well, I certainly had higher expectations. The wine did improve after an hour, but not by much, it tastes old, dull and a bit flat. Some dust red cherry on a subdued nose, a bigger middle palette, but a hard slightly metallic and tannic finish, mares the overall experience. Reading all these glowing reviews make me thing that this is an off bottle? Purchased on release and stored correctly in my cellar. Well, I have one bottle left, I guess I try that one.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted and drank over 3 hours. Even better than the last time, which I didn't expect. Bigger fruit yet soft and mellow with a nice, prolonged finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
some brick at edges; potent nose of fruit and forest floor; very nice dark cherry and sweet earth with some dill and a 'kiss' of oak, tannins mostly gone, but this is well balanced and still has staying power if you like older cabs; this was better than expected with my ribeye, veggie beans and fries; day 2 this has lost its stuffing and cant stand up to a bbq sauce
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Well-corked bottle opened with a slight hiss. Decanted for half an hour and consumed over the next hour or so. Black cherry, leather, and iron on the nose. Well-defined and still showing signs of youthful persistence, with hints of tarragon and spice. Still plenty of red currant and brooding cherry left. Wish I had another, but it was very nice to try a bottle from a good vintage that had been properly stored since release. Great match with a nice filet of beef tenderloin and garlicky mashed potatoes.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This was terrible. We were very much looking forward to this wine, but it drank like it was a asleep - no fruit, no oak, no body, no anything. However reading the other notes makes me think I just got a bad bottle since it had been cellared since it was released. I have one other bottle that I will drink soon. Anxious to see how it compares.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I found this wine disappointing. It was not big on the fruit it was rather mellow, medium to light bodied. It was a good bottle of wine , but I was expecting more give the reputation. This was decanted for 90 mins and drunk over the next 2 to 3 hours.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Opened, decanted, and began drinking immediately and over the next several hours.
Beautiful red velvet; strong, dark cherry nose with a hint of leather and stone fruit. Nice fruit, great finish.
I gave up on purchasing SO once I discovered a lot better QPR wines (and SO became inconsistent after Justin sold). Drinking this bottle brought back great SO memories.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Maybe I am grading too harshly due to the price. Trying to be objective... certainly drinkable... better than average. I have had much better Silver Oak however.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very nice! Elegant and refined. Maybe reaching it's peak. Still enough structure but more delicate than I remembered. The dill is gone, replaced by nice austere fruit. If you have any left, you may want to drink it soon.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Oaky nose with some dill notes. Black cherry and plum fruit with a very soft texture, combined with notes of dried herbs. Light finish of gravel and minerally soil with nice toasted oak, but it's a bit short. Perhaps on the downswing, this wasn't as good as Silver Oak usually is.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Served for a group of fifteen. Opened 6 hours (did not decant) before serving. Opened up beautifully but certainly at it's peak. Would not wait much longer.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Otis opened a bottle of this at his CDP last weekend. Tried this toward the very end of the night and there was still quite a bit left in the bottle. Not a popular wine at this or any event I've been to. 2nd time I have had this wine. Similar notes as before. The quality is just not there for the price. 87 points.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This was the last vintage I purchased and I must say that although these wines take a beating on the wine boards I continue to be impressed by how well the ones I have had, '92 - '96, have shown. This was delicious with a nose of currant, cedar, tobacco that is mirrored on the palate with the addition of anise and some subtle chocolate notes with air. There is also wonderful velvety texture on the palate that leads to a smooth, satisfying and balanced finish. This was my only bottle so I do not know how it showed young but if it had a ton of oak, vanilla and dill tones they have fully integrated and there was no sign of any dill. If you have any of these I would drink them now as I do not see this improving from here.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Lovely fruity nose of herbs and boysenberry on the nose, more of the same on the palate, flavors tasted lighter than its peers, delicious just not showing its best tonight. Storage (?). Last place.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I thought I had a real problem with this bottle when the cork simply crumbled. The bottle has been in a 55 degree 80 % humidity cellar for years. I decanted it for 2 hours. It then revealed a great nose of currents and tobacco with a great velvety leather finish. Nice balanced fruit and alcohol. It's great now but could go a few more years too.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This was all in all a good bottle. The fruit is still there, but barely, so I think the window is closing fast. Alexander valley classic, very soft tannin, very smooth, it is the king of cabernet I like, an anti Napa variety from the same house. Not a great wine, but a good, solid performance. I have 4 bottles left, they can be parceled out over the next 24 months, no longer. drink up.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
What an over-rated wine. I don't know where the fruit went, but its gone. Some smooth leather flavor, but in general very one dimensional with no complexity and short finish. Not offensive but not interesting or special.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This wine is drinking well right now. I have a few bottles left, and will probably consume them before the end of the year. The fruit is still there, but I feel like it's starting to fade as some of the other notes describe. Still some nice leather / oak notes to this. It went well with a Fillet and a cigar afterwards.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This was much different than the bottle I consumed last year. Last year, I was not impressed and told my friend, who has a case to sell it or drink it ASAP. I was wrong and sure am glad I still have two more bottles. Is this the best Cab I've had? No. Last year may have been a dumb phase for the wine. Last night the bottle opened up beautifully with a nice balance of fruit (although fading) and American oak. It was soft, elegant and paired wonderfully with my filet mignon. I will most likely consume the other two bottles that I have this year. The fruit is fading and I would rather enjoy it now than kick myself later.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Not big on fruit, but velvety and smooth. A prime time to drink. I have one more bottle and will wait for a year to see what happens to it. I opened a bottle a year and half ago and was disappointed. Not this time.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I was worried from peoples notes that this would have lost its flavor - although I was quiet impressed - drink now - smooth velvety flavor - typical Silver Oak if you like Silver Oak
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Drank at the CDG holiday party. Seemed to be going through a dead period, or it was passing maturity far earlier than I expected! Was a little bit of a disappointment.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted for three hours. Oak had leveled out, but there was still a hot taste - not with every sip, buit it was there. Veggie smells along with smoke. (Corked?) Good - but nothing memorable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Telltale notes of dill, green pepper, and lead pencil, with a finish that turns drying. Overwhelming oak -- so much that you have to come up for air. Why did I buy this?
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Intense, brilliant, jewel-like red ruby color. Nose shows rich red fruit with cedar and spice. Restrained but supple wine that engages the tongue without being overwhelming. Top quality California Cabernet - "It has the finesse of a great winemaker with access to good grapes". Much better than when we had this wine in Calgary in summer 2001. 13/15.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
10/15/2022 - havnfun wrote: 85 Points
drinkable but old....
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/29/2022 - bcandell wrote:
Law school graduation
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/12/2021 - Randman0 wrote: 85 Points
At this point (25 years) it was too far gone. Not bad, just a hint of it's former self...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/25/2021 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 92 Points
An auction bottle recently purchased, nose of black berry, black cherry, and mint, more of the same on the palate, tasty, mouth filling fruit, showing its age, but still showing well, not as nice as the 1997 opened 2 nights earlier, great with the Flemings Thanksgiving Day Dinner today, and a medium/long, flavorful finish, photo uploaded.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/16/2021 - Mankarious wrote:
Past peak. A bit flat.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/26/2021 - Good2drink Likes this wine: 92 Points
Opened on a whim for sipping. Cork broke but used my “Durand” corkscrew and it again salvaged the wine!! Wine is amazing. Smooth with very strong blackberry flavor with long finish!! Sorry that this is my last bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/24/2021 - ffjxc wrote: flawed
Another corked Silver Oak. Of over a 1000 bottle cellar the only winery that consistently has corked wines. That awful corked musty flavor that seems to be the norm of older Silver Oak wines despite cellared in temp & humidity controlled environment.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/4/2020 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 94 Points
Silver Oak Healdsburg Tasting Experience (Silver Oak Cellars Healdsburg, Ca.): Tasting Silver Oak Healdsburg (Silver Oak Cellars Healdsburg, Ca.): opened by me for Tom and the staff, nose of black currants, black berry, spring flowers, and a touch of mint, same on the palate, medium/big body, time to enjoy is now, elegant, mouth filling fruit, very tasty, richer than the bottle opened last week although from the same auction lot, favorable comment from all, lovely, long finish, and flavorful aftertaste.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/25/2020 - phannenstiel Likes this wine: 90 Points
Cork was soft and destroyed on the pull. Had to push it through
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/27/2020 - Cbrown180 wrote:
N/A
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/7/2020 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 93 Points
An auction bottle recently purchased, nose of currants, black cherry, mint, and plum, more of the same on the palate, very tasty, mouth filling fruit, at peak or slightly past, smooth, supple and great with chicken, and a long, flavorful finish and aftertaste.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/1/2020 - winecat9 Likes this wine: 88 Points
Drink up. On the downhill side of peak.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/27/2019 - dlduchon Likes this wine: 84 Points
Purchased at the winery at the release party. Just a shell of oak and tired fruit, but drinkable but not really enjoyable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/22/2019 - jonahfactor Likes this wine:
Early Christmas dinner with family. Post-peak, but still offers a lot of enjoyment. Has developed more of a Bordeaux leaning since last tasted, with secondary and tertiary elements fully replacing the fruit that existed prior. The tannins and oak are completely integrated, and it offers cedar, forest floor and pencil lead in the bouquet and on the palate. Drink soon.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/19/2019 - Gr8penut Does not like this wine: 50 Points
Corked badly!
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (6)
12/23/2018 - Gr8penut Does not like this wine: 51 Points
Corked- undrinkable
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/16/2018 - Vatch Likes this wine: 94 Points
Sublime. En magnum. Pas du tout mort, encore bien du fruit, mais je n'attendrais pas avant d'ouvrir les autres !
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/17/2018 - awkiii Likes this wine: 90 Points
lost a little of the fruit
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/7/2017 - Skip4wine wrote: 92 Points
A little thin as it is at the end of its drinking window but more youthful than the one I opened 4 months ago. Completely integrated oak and tannins. Eucalyptus and some blueberry flavors peaking through. Not the barnyard of a good aged Bordeaux but some earthy flavors nonetheless. My bottle 4 months ago was a little faded and I thought an 89. This is much better but I would drink up.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/22/2017 - floridawinedrkr Likes this wine: 86 Points
Not horrible. found this in my cellar. Wasn't great but wasn't too bad either. Still had plenty of stuff going on but the finish was off
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/19/2017 - ColeMD_04 Likes this wine: 86 Points
Light yet bold. Must decant for a couple hours.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/14/2017 - primetheus wrote: 87 Points
It was good. A little thin. It made me wonder if the early drinking style that SO was going for was a bad thing for a aged bottle. I enjoyed, but it drank think even after proper decanting. Note: zero sediment.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/13/2017 - bradjohn9 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Drank this wine with a grilled flank steak and while it had aged well it was a little too mellowed and a bit thin in taste. Very soft and while I still liked the wine, it was definitely past its; prime.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/6/2017 - BordeauxBoy wrote: 93 Points
Wow...what a surprise. Bought retail for a real discount but seller swore it had been well cellared. Perfect cork. Very dark garnet with wonderful fruit. Opened in the glass and then was really good as we finished a half hour later. Great eucalyptus, leather, with still a little grip at the end. I could see how this would be past if not cellared well but really lucked out. New found respect here. Still med-full bodied. Just a really nice wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/27/2017 - mdipietro Likes this wine:
Drink... yesterday
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/28/2016 - FGS Likes this wine: 94 Points
Blueberries, black cherries and forest floor on the nose. Oak notes are there, as well, but blended nicely. Structured and balanced, with nicely integrated tannins, the fruit is lush with hints of mocha and tobacco leaf. Easy, silky smooth finish. For a 20 yrs old wine, it still holds together, and provides a wonderful drinking experience.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/23/2016 - PIntag wrote: 90 Points
Nice California Cabernet with hefty dose of oak that is mostly integrated, and generous fruit. Still some structure hanging on here, so should be good for a while longer.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/5/2016 - rmcnees Likes this wine: 89 Points
Dark blackish garnet colored, medium bodied, bright black cherry fruits predominate. At twenty years of age, this wine is starting to show its age a bit as the black cherry and black berry fruits, while predominant, are starting to give way to tones of tobacco leaf, hints of tea and dusty earth, yet, still accented by that legendary sweet oak flavor that is emblematic of the Silver Oak brand.
http://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2016/04/silver-oak-alexander-valley-cabernet.html
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/26/2016 - Kemo Sabe Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very nicely aged Napa cab. popped and poured. Color was great, nose was singing. Nuanced and very interesting. I have been happily surprised by these mid level 20 year old cabs - they have stood the test of time wonderfully. I am making my way thorough a 1990-1998 vertical of S.O. going backward. First three are winners!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/25/2015 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 94 Points
Nose of sage, dusty earth, black cherry fruit, plum, more of the same on the palate, has aged gracefully with lots of complexity tonight, old style 100% Cabernet Sauvignon fruit, medium body, delicious and showing it's quality well tonight, long, long finish. My #1/7
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/12/2015 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 91 Points
Nose of bell pepper, sage, red berry and black berry fruits, more of the same on the palate, has aged gracefully with lots of complexity tonight, paired with the Chinese Basil Salmon and Vegetables, very delicious pairing, slightly passed it's prime, medium body, suggest you drink up if you own it, long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/29/2015 - levinml wrote: 93 Points
Surprisingly good, given community's drinking window. Classic old Silver Oak green pepper flavors, but resolved tannins while not flabby makes good drinking with long finish. Don't wait, drink 'em if you got 'em, but enjoy. Assumes good cellaring, of course.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/29/2015 - dino_mike Likes this wine: 94 Points
Sweet rip cherry nose with hints of chocolate, oak and forest floor. 1st impression is perfect balance. Coats the entire tongue in smoothness and ends with a round, mineral and cherry finish that goes on and on. That finish also carries pleasant but minor barn-yard notes that compliment it well. Every sip was smooth, elegant and long, changing very little. Will age a bit more since it is so balanced but perfect right now. Its 19 years old and very impressive.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/27/2014 - ettalovesgoodwine Likes this wine: 90 Points
Took a while to open up. Delicious.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/27/2014 - rpenn77 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Cigar box and leather notes. If you have this better drink up.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/31/2014 - Hanover wrote: 92 Points
Bad cork, but no leakage. It just disintegrated. Decanted and drank with stroganoff. Very pleasant -- soft taste but still good structure. Cedar nose.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/2/2014 - jsebiri wrote:
excellent
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/15/2014 - floridawinedrkr Likes this wine: 92 Points
Excellent bottle. Good depth, nice smooth finish. Although its not a fruit bomb, its very very good. Still good fruit, mocha, and coffee. Great bottle. Ready to drink now. I have had good and bad 1996 silver oaks. But if its been stored properly then Its been excellent.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/11/2014 - wboyd wrote: 88 Points
Past its prime, unfortunately. Still a little fruit, and the balance is right. But tends toward monolithic dark plum. Medium-long finish. Still purple, but some bricking on the edges of the glass. Drink now. This wine won't improve.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/20/2013 - LFCHALA Likes this wine: 93 Points
Confraria Dezembro 2013 (Agnelo - São Paulo - SP - Brasil): Surprise of the tasting. Lots of elegance, balance and complexity. Head to head with the 1993 Ridge Monte Belo and the Heitz Cellars Martha's Vineyard CS 1995.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/17/2013 - spendergast Likes this wine: 92 Points
Concentrated fruit with subdued tannins, lingering finish. A solid mature cab.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/16/2013 - Steven433 Likes this wine: 93 Points
I opened the bottle and the nose held a mild cassis aroma. I then aerated the bottle, decanted it and let it sit at 55 degrees for two hours. The difference compared to the PnP was amazing. The nose was strong with significant cassis, vanilla and plum. The legs were medium. The color was deep purple with no amber tinge. The drinking experience was delightful. The tannins were firm but not overbearing. The wine had excellent structure and the alcohol was barely appreciated. The finish was extremely long at 60 seconds. All in all an outstanding bottle of 17 year old SO, an excellent example of Napa Cab at its best. I would drink it in the next 24 months and rate it 93.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/4/2013 - levinml wrote: 90 Points
Better second night (under pump) than first. First night seemed like tannins were still present but fruit was almost gone. Maybe it was something I ate, because second night was much more balanced and enjoyable. Still, definitely on the downswing, so drink 'em while you got 'em.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/1/2013 - shirazity Likes this wine: 88 Points
Obviously on its last legs but still some fruit that opened up nicely over a few hours. Tannins very fine and soft. Nose still very much a Cali cab with nice intensity. Soft and rich mouth-feel but lacking depth and length.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/8/2013 - RR47 wrote: 90 Points
Getting some amber although still a good red color. Nose has lots of perfumey cedar, cherry, and and some green notes. Balanced mid with a little fruit, some coffee & olive, medium finish turns a bit tart. Tannins are soft, but still there. Notes tell me purchased 2 at a World Market in Arizona and brought home in a rollar board on a commercial plane when you still could. Got lost in my cellar until now. Surprising that the Alexander Valley still doing this well.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/28/2012 - Gunman wrote:
Has fallen off from note last year. Still very nice aged Cab, but lost that little something extra that made it special. Opened right after a 1996 CSJ Cinq Cepages, and CSJ won. Two very nice Sonoma cabs, but time has been a bit more kind to the Cinq Cepages. (I believe it had better storage conditions over most of its life, which helps.)
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/25/2012 - dino_mike Likes this wine: 90 Points
This vintage of SO has had a nice career. It is just entering it's downside of peak (IMHO). The slightly aged flavors of tar and sweet cured black olive is peaking thru the cocoa and mocha fruit. Very good balance and a long finish. I actually felt disappointed in the 1st glass but it needed opening up and the aged flavors blended into the background for a pleasant wine. Still...DRINK NOW.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/30/2012 - gmat5497 wrote: 93 Points
This bottle was incredible. Didn't know Silver Oak could age this well. Everything balanced.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/31/2012 - Tim Heaton wrote:
Slow-O 2 hours. Seems to be in a perfect place right now, with another 6-8 years of highly enjoyable drinking ahead of it. Youthful, surprisingly well balanced, and downright tasty. One of the better wines on the night.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/20/2012 - shiel wrote: 89 Points
Drank a verrtical of 96, 97, and 98 Alex. Served at room temperature. Opened an hour. The fruit on all 3 was draining out. All 3 had lots of dill, cedar and toothpick. More green showed in the 98 as has been typical since its release. The 97 was clearly the best, but the 96 was holding up strong, and a close second to the 97. Really enjoyable now and all three will last a good bit longer as none was showing any pruniiness or tobacco. Sadly I am done with all three. Long live Justine Meyer.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/20/2012 - M Macht wrote: 93 Points
Ruby red with excellent fruit on the nose. I was concerned that it was over the hill...not so. Chocolate, tobacco, black cherries with a lingering finish. Still going strong.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/18/2012 - TEDL wrote: 88 Points
Milder than we thought it would be when we first opened it, some fruits were still present. Had it with pizza ( home made of course ;-) ) and the spices really jumped.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/1/2012 - rjayson wrote: 92 Points
just a fabulous cali cab. Decanted for 1 hour. Wish I had more.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/15/2012 - FriendsInTown wrote: 94 Points
Surprising still good with many years left
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/2/2012 - Blackland wrote: 93 Points
My last bottle, excellent.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/18/2012 - Blackland wrote:
Served this at a dinner party with strip steak. It was enjoyed by all. The corks were falling apart but the wine was in good shape; very mellow, dark fruit cedar and a bit of herb. This should be consumed now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/28/2012 - Zed57 wrote:
A well aged California cab. A distinctive nose that is intriguing. Bold herbaceous flavours that are classic silver oak with cedar and dill. May not be everyone's taste but I loved it. It has peaked. Don't wait. Wish I had more but alas this is the last.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/25/2012 - Gunman Likes this wine: 92 Points
Stunningly elegant. Beautiful example of a well-aged California Cab. Cedar and currants. Silky tannins - enough bite that you might be able to hold this a bit longer, but I don't think it will get any better. Took this to the football tailgate and drank with a grilled ribeye.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/14/2012 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 92 Points
This was is at its peak with a beautiful nose of currants, sage, and black cherry fruit; more of the same on the palate, very fruitful, mouth filling, lovely, long finish; opened ove the two hour dinner and the nose got better and better. Lots of glycerin on the glass, very nice!! expecially with the filet mignon in bone at Flemings.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/11/2012 - Vsansone wrote: 90 Points
Still holding up to its style. Great nose and finish, this while getting up there in age was delicate and flavor full, berries soft to the tounge
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/21/2012 - DecoEd wrote: 95 Points
All I can say is "WOW". I have drank many bottles over the period of several years and this bottle was by far the best. It follwed a 1996 Far Niente Cab. It was simply outstanding compared to the Far Niente, which has lost it's complexity with time.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/1/2012 - theferb wrote: 90 Points
Time to drink any remaining bottles in collection.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/26/2011 - johnwine Likes this wine: 90 Points
Classic traditional Napa Cab. Superb!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/13/2011 - JJB007 wrote: 79 Points
not as good as the 2007 Ampersand
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/10/2011 - Azwinesnob wrote:
In 1972 Ray Duncan and Justin Meyer founded Silver Oak Cellars with the idea of making only one varietal – Cabernet Sauvignon. Meyer was a winemaker for Christian Brothers and Duncan brought his business background to the enterprise, and the winery has over the years proved to be one of the most successful in the state. Critics and connoisseurs admire Silver Oak’s polished style, and more than 35 years after its founding the winery still makes only Cabernet Sauvignon, sometimes blended with small amounts of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The winery owns 200 acres of vineyards in Alexander Valley and 15 in Napa Valley. About 50,000 cases are produced each year. Justin Meyer sold his shares of the winery to the Duncan family in 2001, and a second generation of Duncans is fully involved with winery operations.
Robert M. Parker Jr. 92
...exhibits a pronounced smoky, espresso bean, and kirsch-scented nose. Round, dense, rich, full-bodied, and open-knit, its low acid flavors are undeniably appealing...”
Stephen Tanzer 87-90
...Ripe aromas of cherry, dark chocolate, tar and mint. Less dense than the '97 but shows the baby fat of the vintage...Finishes with good length and slightly green tannins.”
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/1/2011 - InflationHedge wrote: 92 Points
Quite good. I don't have my notes, but tannis were soft and texture was silky. Still showing good fruit and finish. Gracefully.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/11/2011 - LJT wrote: 89 Points
Good bouquet. Cedar in the aroma and taste, especially later. Balanced.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/10/2011 - JJB007 wrote: 96 Points
ok
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/4/2011 - GSW wrote: 90 Points
Last of our bottles of this vintage. Very enjoyable and a mature Cab.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/28/2011 - JJB007 wrote: 97 Points
very fine wine especially if you are hydrated
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/6/2011 - RoccoSydney wrote: 88 Points
- Ruby color.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/22/2011 - tracey wrote: 84 Points
Somewhat disappointing. Bottle was past its peak with no tannins left, but still had a nice finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/7/2011 - JJB007 wrote: 94 Points
this was # 3 on a blind tasting test between the 95, 96,99,02
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/30/2011 - Brett wrote: 90 Points
Last bottle....nice wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/11/2011 - bdufton wrote: 90 Points
Right at its apex - no more time needed or desired. This is a well developed cab with solid tannins still present but well integrated. I loved it.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/16/2011 - Brett wrote: 91 Points
Still drinking very well!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/28/2011 - Porchino wrote: 88 Points
Smooth but lost a lot of flavor past it's moment
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/9/2011 - Goldstone wrote: 88 Points
I tried to do this maximum justice by drinking the whole bottle slowly over a lazy Sunday afternoon with friends but it didn't repay the effort. Still a very attractive vibrant, deep red transparent colour and a nose of oak and fading blackcurrant. But the palate is acidic, flat, still sort-of fruity but no tannin left and very one-dimensional. No length at all and rather acidic in the stomach at the end.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/4/2010 - ldorf wrote: 87 Points
Boring... that's all I can say about it. BORING.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/30/2010 - drstack wrote:
Jim and Julie
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/20/2010 - Goldstone wrote: 89 Points
Tried again with another bottle bought from the Winery on release. Same as my May 2010 note:A light and elegant, fully mature Cali Cab that was great but just lacked any wow! factor. Poor QPR at the current retail price.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/29/2010 - dino_mike wrote: 92 Points
Opened this Magnum in the pool: Just like all the other other reviews say, it's very peaked. Drink now, its beautiful. Very nice balance and a pronounced elegance. Only slightly aged flavors in a medium body but a smokey mineral quality livens and freshens it up still.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/18/2010 - JDRFoster wrote: 90 Points
Nicely aged, with the expected characteristics, initially a little reserved, but opened up with time, particularly on the 2nd day. Medium finish. Very good, but not particularly memorable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/31/2010 - Burgundy Al wrote: 89 Points
Another Saturday at Knightsbridge - mostly blind (Northbrook, IL): Moderate fruit with some reasonably well integrated oak spice. Balanced red and black cherry, somewhat tart, but overall easy to enjoy. Very positively surprised when unveiled as Silver Oak.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/31/2010 - beezer6 wrote: 92 Points
Saturday Tasting Group (Knightsbridge Wine Shop (Northbrook, IL)): Really surprised everyone. Showed really well amongst a group of Silver Oak haters - myself only slightly included.
Spicy, medium dark fruit. Lots of pepper with robust cinnamon, nut meg and vanilla. Sour cherry is the most dominant fruit but can't compete with the spicey herbaciousness.
Some nice roasted / stewed fruit. The palate is clean with light mocha and cola notes on the back end.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/31/2010 - psmith wrote:
Mature cabernet fruit with a sour cherry oak finish that's almost Rioja-like. Ready to go. Nice.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/24/2010 - brunellolover wrote: 88 Points
Just OK, although for SO thats still pretty good. I thought it faded pretty fast, enjoyed but waited too long to drink it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/27/2010 - markellen.foodies@gmail.com wrote: 91 Points
Wanted a Cab with dinner. Decided to try this, however unnecessarily wary based on CT comments and Laube's pan. Based on CT comments decanted immediately before dinner. It worked. No funk, or dryness, or excessive oak. Drank very well over 1/2 hour and improved somewhat. Like a good aged Bordeaux. Good nose, palate, and finish.
2 years ago we had a 96 BYO tasting dinner, because Craig Van Teuber was concerned about his 96's based on Laube's retrospective. As is not unusual, he is and was way off base!!!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/16/2010 - jlgnml wrote: 90 Points
Les Degustateurs Ladies Night (Casino Club in Chicago): Served in double magnum. Decanted for a couple of hours. Great inital nose, fruit but faded after 15 to 20 minutes. Drink before now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/3/2010 - zeke26 wrote: 89 Points
Deep color. Pencil led, vanilla, berries. Has held up with age; a very pleasant layered wine though lacking a little bit of length, to be picky. Still drinking nicely. Enjoyed.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/8/2010 - Goldstone wrote: 90 Points
Still deep blood red transluncent colour. Nose is pencil lead, graphite, milk chocolate, vanilla pods, red cedar shingles, dark red cherries.....quite complex and multiple-layered. Palate is very integrated rounded resolved tannin and quite sharp blackcurrant fruit with great mid-palate acidity followed by distinct ripe black plums and slightly mouth-drying peach stones and stewed rhubarb and custard on the back end. All very warm and rounded. Some length but no resonance. A light and elegant, fully mature Cali Cab that was great but just lacked any wow! factor.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/28/2010 - sgamiz wrote: 95 Points
This last bottles was off the charts as aroma and flavors of SO came trough, It was better then one month ago from a 3.0 liter blottle - now, this is way a love SO in the early 90's!!!!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/3/2010 - sgamiz wrote: 92 Points
3.0 liter bottle, great so taste - it tasted younger. Nice bottle of wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/6/2010 - dowhouse wrote:
Gave to Tom Lee for 50 th b-day
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/28/2009 - shiel wrote: 88 Points
typical SO Alex with great deep dark fruit and heavy oak. Expected the oak to tone down after 13 years in the bottle...but no. same old girl. still a teenager with lots of vitality remaining.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/22/2009 - TannicBeast wrote: 90 Points
rated third at yapa tasting
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/19/2009 - tonyca wrote: 88 Points
This bottle was much much better than the first bottle I drank about a year ago. The first bottle must have been asleep since this one still had some fruit and an actual finish! Not an overpowering wine (yes!) and built in an Old World style. Not stellar and not worth what I paid for it when it came out, but certainly a fine bottle of wine with the lamb we had along with it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/13/2009 - Tejano wrote:
Dark purple with a ruby accent in color...hesitant nose of dark fruit with an accent on dark berries and a tad of earth and a little...very little cigar box. Very resolved palate structure...barely holding on, but still engaging and showing some interesting fruit textures thru the evening...I kept expecting this to drop off, but it held its own over several hours and matched well with grilled ribeyes. Not overwhelmed, but still happy that it showed as well as it did.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/3/2008 - KevinS wrote: 94 Points
Surprisingly outstanding. Bright, alive and full of fruit and complexity -- double blind a couple of tasters marked this as petit sirah. Certainly bettered my expectations, as well as other tasters' recent experience, but this was just the kind of fantastic, classic CA cab that put Napa/Sonoma on the map.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/26/2008 - Mark wrote: 86 Points
Well, I certainly had higher expectations. The wine did improve after an hour, but not by much, it tastes old, dull and a bit flat. Some dust red cherry on a subdued nose, a bigger middle palette, but a hard slightly metallic and tannic finish, mares the overall experience. Reading all these glowing reviews make me thing that this is an off bottle? Purchased on release and stored correctly in my cellar. Well, I have one bottle left, I guess I try that one.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/8/2008 - cafeweston wrote: 91 Points
Soft and smooth. Still some fruit left, but I'm glad we drank it now as it seems to be on the downward side of things. Not disappointing at all!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/4/2008 - craigi wrote: 92 Points
My last 750ml! Still awesome, really. Plenty of fruit. Probably helps that I keep my cellar at 51 degrees....
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/11/2008 - medpres wrote: 88 Points
Very mellow, easy to drink but soft, nothing special but enjoyable and refined
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/2/2008 - craigi wrote: 93 Points
Decanted and drank over 3 hours. Even better than the last time, which I didn't expect. Bigger fruit yet soft and mellow with a nice, prolonged finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/23/2008 - wabi47 wrote: 90 Points
some brick at edges; potent nose of fruit and forest floor; very nice dark cherry and sweet earth with some dill and a 'kiss' of oak, tannins mostly gone, but this is well balanced and still has staying power if you like older cabs; this was better than expected with my ribeye, veggie beans and fries; day 2 this has lost its stuffing and cant stand up to a bbq sauce
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/16/2008 - spendergast wrote: 92 Points
A very nice cab - dark fruit with soft tannins, subtle and a bit mellow but drinks very well right now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/19/2008 - JerryS wrote: 91 Points
Excellent balance; tastes more like a Napa than an Alexander Valley.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/5/2008 - TylerMcNinch wrote: 92 Points
Well-corked bottle opened with a slight hiss. Decanted for half an hour and consumed over the next hour or so. Black cherry, leather, and iron on the nose. Well-defined and still showing signs of youthful persistence, with hints of tarragon and spice. Still plenty of red currant and brooding cherry left. Wish I had another, but it was very nice to try a bottle from a good vintage that had been properly stored since release. Great match with a nice filet of beef tenderloin and garlicky mashed potatoes.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/31/2007 - tonyca wrote: 79 Points
This was terrible. We were very much looking forward to this wine, but it drank like it was a asleep - no fruit, no oak, no body, no anything. However reading the other notes makes me think I just got a bad bottle since it had been cellared since it was released. I have one other bottle that I will drink soon. Anxious to see how it compares.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/31/2007 - gmat5497 wrote: 88 Points
Lost some of it's luster when it was younger. Not disappointed but certainly not impressed. Maybe on the way down.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/10/2007 - rfras wrote: 88 Points
I found this wine disappointing. It was not big on the fruit it was rather mellow, medium to light bodied. It was a good bottle of wine , but I was expecting more give the reputation. This was decanted for 90 mins and drunk over the next 2 to 3 hours.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/10/2007 - sgamiz wrote: 93 Points
It has aged quite wel and is drinking terrific at the moment
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/9/2007 - craigi wrote: 92 Points
Opened, decanted, and began drinking immediately and over the next several hours.
Beautiful red velvet; strong, dark cherry nose with a hint of leather and stone fruit. Nice fruit, great finish.
I gave up on purchasing SO once I discovered a lot better QPR wines (and SO became inconsistent after Justin sold). Drinking this bottle brought back great SO memories.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/9/2007 - Thralow wrote: 86 Points
Maybe I am grading too harshly due to the price. Trying to be objective... certainly drinkable... better than average. I have had much better Silver Oak however.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/22/2007 - play36 wrote: 92 Points
Very nice! Elegant and refined. Maybe reaching it's peak. Still enough structure but more delicate than I remembered. The dill is gone, replaced by nice austere fruit. If you have any left, you may want to drink it soon.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/26/2007 - VAGenius wrote: 87 Points
Oaky nose with some dill notes. Black cherry and plum fruit with a very soft texture, combined with notes of dried herbs. Light finish of gravel and minerally soil with nice toasted oak, but it's a bit short. Perhaps on the downswing, this wasn't as good as Silver Oak usually is.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/14/2007 - waelj wrote:
Served for a group of fifteen. Opened 6 hours (did not decant) before serving. Opened up beautifully but certainly at it's peak. Would not wait much longer.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/23/2007 - ejca wrote:
very good, took some time to open but once it did, I really liked it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/18/2007 - GSW wrote: 90 Points
Still drinking well.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/18/2007 - linesider wrote: 90 Points
bot summer 07 very good 2 bottles
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/14/2007 - Vino Me wrote: 87 Points
Otis opened a bottle of this at his CDP last weekend. Tried this toward the very end of the night and there was still quite a bit left in the bottle. Not a popular wine at this or any event I've been to. 2nd time I have had this wine. Similar notes as before. The quality is just not there for the price. 87 points.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/22/2007 - RussW wrote:
This was the last vintage I purchased and I must say that although these wines take a beating on the wine boards I continue to be impressed by how well the ones I have had, '92 - '96, have shown. This was delicious with a nose of currant, cedar, tobacco that is mirrored on the palate with the addition of anise and some subtle chocolate notes with air. There is also wonderful velvety texture on the palate that leads to a smooth, satisfying and balanced finish. This was my only bottle so I do not know how it showed young but if it had a ton of oak, vanilla and dill tones they have fully integrated and there was no sign of any dill. If you have any of these I would drink them now as I do not see this improving from here.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/21/2006 - vintage61 wrote: 87 Points
I normally enjoy SO, but this bottle was a little to old meaning too far into the "DILL" era of its life. If you like the dill, it is fine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/9/2006 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 89 Points
Lovely fruity nose of herbs and boysenberry on the nose, more of the same on the palate, flavors tasted lighter than its peers, delicious just not showing its best tonight. Storage (?). Last place.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/27/2006 - helpagerman wrote: 90 Points
chocolate aroma, very long lasting finish
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/29/2006 - wineshopper wrote:
Thought the bottle drank very well.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/23/2006 - jthielen wrote: 91 Points
I thought I had a real problem with this bottle when the cork simply crumbled. The bottle has been in a 55 degree 80 % humidity cellar for years. I decanted it for 2 hours. It then revealed a great nose of currents and tobacco with a great velvety leather finish. Nice balanced fruit and alcohol. It's great now but could go a few more years too.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/27/2006 - stevewine wrote:
drinking very well should drink over the next year
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/3/2006 - KevinS wrote: 92 Points
Lovely, mature cab. Drinking perfectly now...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/15/2006 - stevewine wrote:
drinking very well now
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/29/2005 - massimo wrote: 89 Points
This was all in all a good bottle. The fruit is still there, but barely, so I think the window is closing fast. Alexander valley classic, very soft tannin, very smooth, it is the king of cabernet I like, an anti Napa variety from the same house. Not a great wine, but a good, solid performance. I have 4 bottles left, they can be parceled out over the next 24 months, no longer. drink up.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/1/2005 - tstan wrote: 80 Points
What an over-rated wine. I don't know where the fruit went, but its gone. Some smooth leather flavor, but in general very one dimensional with no complexity and short finish. Not offensive but not interesting or special.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/30/2005 - DaveF wrote:
This wine is drinking well right now. I have a few bottles left, and will probably consume them before the end of the year. The fruit is still there, but I feel like it's starting to fade as some of the other notes describe. Still some nice leather / oak notes to this. It went well with a Fillet and a cigar afterwards.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/22/2005 - Just Grapes wrote:
This was much different than the bottle I consumed last year. Last year, I was not impressed and told my friend, who has a case to sell it or drink it ASAP. I was wrong and sure am glad I still have two more bottles. Is this the best Cab I've had? No. Last year may have been a dumb phase for the wine. Last night the bottle opened up beautifully with a nice balance of fruit (although fading) and American oak. It was soft, elegant and paired wonderfully with my filet mignon. I will most likely consume the other two bottles that I have this year. The fruit is fading and I would rather enjoy it now than kick myself later.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/21/2005 - rayphillips wrote: 90 Points
Not big on fruit, but velvety and smooth. A prime time to drink. I have one more bottle and will wait for a year to see what happens to it. I opened a bottle a year and half ago and was disappointed. Not this time.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/25/2005 - rtywonia wrote: 93 Points
I was worried from peoples notes that this would have lost its flavor - although I was quiet impressed - drink now - smooth velvety flavor - typical Silver Oak if you like Silver Oak
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/24/2005 - Just Grapes wrote:
Drink now! Last tasting proved that this wine is past its prime.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/11/2004 - eullman wrote:
Drank at the CDG holiday party. Seemed to be going through a dead period, or it was passing maturity far earlier than I expected! Was a little bit of a disappointment.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/17/2004 - vinzin wrote: 92 Points
Tannins have softened, fruit definitely shows, very smooth.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/17/2004 - Geoffrey Carter wrote:
Decanted for three hours. Oak had leveled out, but there was still a hot taste - not with every sip, buit it was there. Veggie smells along with smoke. (Corked?) Good - but nothing memorable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/6/2004 - Siggy wrote: 75 Points
Telltale notes of dill, green pepper, and lead pencil, with a finish that turns drying. Overwhelming oak -- so much that you have to come up for air. Why did I buy this?
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/11/2004 - VAGenius Likes this wine:
Very nice. Smooth and supple!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/17/2003 - Vino Me wrote: 89 Points
A dark wine. Dry tannins with flavors of blackberry, cassis and currant but a little simple. Medium to long finish. 89.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/5/2002 - VAGenius Likes this wine:
Intense, brilliant, jewel-like red ruby color. Nose shows rich red fruit with cedar and spice. Restrained but supple wine that engages the tongue without being overwhelming. Top quality California Cabernet - "It has the finesse of a great winemaker with access to good grapes". Much better than when we had this wine in Calgary in summer 2001. 13/15.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/25/2000 - SadEdjo wrote:
rich cherry vanilla
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/7/2000 - brianofthevine wrote: 92 Points
Red/black fruit, full rich, creamy body, sweet vanilla oak, long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment