No formal notes based off memory from over a month ago but this was universally the group’s least favorite among a lineup of 94 Napa/Sonoma Cab Sauvs. No evidence of such on the cork, but it may have been poorly stored so not adding a rating or like/dislike - came out of the bottle really gross and stew-y, took >an hour to open into a very thick, almost dessert wine-y profile that was more palatable. Maybe just not my cup of tea but a sharp pivot off the other pleasant bottles we enjoyed that evening.
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Deep brick red. Aromas of cassis, plum jam, chocolate, leather, cloves, sandalwood and baked earth. Supple slightly chalky tannins. Blackcurrant acids and dark chocolate bitterness. Medium/full body. Palate of cassis, cedar, blackberry jam, black tea, cardamom, truffle and grilled steak. A mature, vibrant and wonderful wine with dark ripe berry fruit, perfectly balanced with mushroom minerality and spices, and a long energetic finish. At its peak. Absolutely great wine. Tasted alongside Pichon Baron 1988 and the present wine is less traditional, full of energy and equally complex.
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TN: Old Cabernet and Young Mourevdre (plus two Rieslings): Very much alive at age 29, and also quite elegant. Red fruit, a little bit of spice and vanilla, but not at all overbearing like the Napa can be. Tobacco and earth accents - just lovely. Drink up, but enjoy doing so. This is fully resolved, and ready when you are.
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Found a single bottle of this hidden within cellar- undisturbed for probably 20 years. Cork fully intact and only saturated at tip. Color dark garnet. Aroma of cherry and briar. On palate - dark fruit, briar, and graphite. Tannins fully resolved. Unexpectedly, actually a quite enjoyable mature wine. These older wines, very bottle variable based on looking thru the reviews. Got lucky!
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For some reason (maybe good storage), this bottle held up very well. No tannins, earth, still a good balance of fruit and acidity. Very enjoyable for my son's 28th.
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Opened and decanted for sediment and brought to dinner. This was tasting a bit old and tired at first when we re-opened it. I feel like it might have been softening some, but this doesn't seem like it was a wine that was really meant to age and while I like wines old this was past the high peak for sure. A bit unfortunate, but also not a producer that I actively look for and will probably avoid even the old bottles in the past.
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Opened and poured, Magnum, absolutely stunning after 28 years. Initial barnyard blew off in 10 minutes, classic Silver Oak mouthfeel, fruit still strong, bricking of course, maintained its flavor and structure for the three hours it took us to finish the bottle. Tannins conpletely resolved. Beautiful aged Silver Oak.
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Opened to celebrate Saturday night and college football, nose of black cherry, black berry, briar, and earth, same on the palate, big body, elegant, mouth filling fruit, fabulous Cabernet Sauvignon that is 27 years old, and a long finish, uploaded photo showing lots of sediment at the bottom of the bottle.
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dark red, orange/brick rim - fully mature dark red fruit nose, not very much complexity - the beauty of this wine is the full rich mouth with very good acid balance, moderate tannins still present - short (10-15 sec) finish - nice new world/old world contrast to the 89 Pichon Lalande drank at the same time - at his point in time, I'd prefer to smell the Pichon and drink the Silver Oak, though both are fully satisfying in their own right
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Heard the rumblings about this one being over the hill. 3L might have made the difference because this bottle was the star of the night. Slow ox for 30 minutes and then decant. Wonderful bouquet right out of the bottle. Fully integrated tannins with good body and a long finish. Everyone drank up so fast I wish it would have been a 6L.
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Perfect balance with fully resolved tannins that let the mineral, pencil lead and yes! light dark cherry flavor thru. Only a light hint of the spicy oak pops up in the finish but overall its blended in. Wine tastes years younger and only the balance and smooth finish hint at a well aged wine. The cork like most older SO's broke in the bottles with a cork-screw and needed an atzu-fork opener to get out.
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Opened to celebrate our wedding anniversary, nose of black cherry, mocha coffee, and earth, same on the palate, big body, delicious, elegant, mouth filling fruit, rich fruit, time to enjoy if you cellar it, and a long, long, flavorful finish. Uploaded label photo.
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Perfect cork, cigar box. Only decanted for 30 minutes. Nose has nice tannins and has aged well, still very bright in aroma. At first taste is acid and fruit forward with it developing on the back of the palate. The fruit is rich, solid acid that is balanced and very smooth. Drinks very well, classic 90’s Napa @ heart !!!!
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Tasting at Bruce & Marsha C's House: Nose: Somewhat pruny but that blew off with some glass air. Still some oak. Palate: Red fruited with good acids and a nice finish.
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Nose of plum, spring flowers, sage, and baked cherry tart, more of the same on the palate, big body, rich fruit, mouth filling fruit, delicious secondary flavors, showing it's age but still holding well, and a long, flavorful finish and aftertaste.
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Perfect cork and fill. PnP Obviously well stored. Plenty of dried red fruit along with to dusty tannins yet to be resolved. Decent acid and finish. Excellent overall, but missing the complexity found in other '94 Napa's.
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Bricking around the edges, but still dark purple at the center. Initial aroma of strong cherry, cinnamon, nutmeg. Decanted two hours. Palate of cherry, baking spices. Muted tannins and medium acidity. Long finish.
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My niece had never drank any wine from her birth year and with the exception of vintage port this was the only 94 I had. We opened and poured through a soiree. This bottle was better than the one I had two years ago. Dark fruit and coffee on the nose. The palate was dark berries, fig, some cigar box, coffee and bay leaf. A nice long finish.
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Pleasantly surprised as to how this wine opened up, but took 2+ hours in the decanter for the musky herbal nose to dissipate. After that, the nose was pleasant, with more herbal notes and cigar. Very smooth, the fruit was bright with a touch of vanilla and cherry, and the wine had good length and a nice finish. It will smell "old" when first opened, but let it get some air, and it will reward. Drink now.
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Drank at an older California Cab tasting. This was the second oldest wine and while the wine still had decent dark fruit and some cedar and classic Cab flavors it was clearly fading and the tannins are mostly gone. An odd herbal must nose stayed with the wine over the 6 hour tasting. 90
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Decanted around 5pm and drunk through 10 pm. Probably needs 2-3 hours to show its best. Medium translucent garnet. Typical old Silver Oak nose with vanilla, licorice, cherry, and cigar tobacco. Flavors of smiley oak, licorice, tobacco cherry, a little something herbal and a little chocolate on the finish. Really lovely.
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PnP, Morton's - medium body, bright red fruit and vanilla bouquet. Taste mirrors the nose on bold berry flavors showing secondary vanilla, cocoa and spice notes. Rich, resolved and so well-balanced with a fine tannic backbone still lingering just beneath the surface. A great wine to admire and enjoy.
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Color: Ruby. – Bouquet: Plum, blackberry, blueberry, tobacco, loam. – Palate: Plum, a bit of black currant, and a mélange of other fruit flavors. Dusty tannins. low acidity. Short finish. Fully mature. Not as pleasurable as past bottles of this wine. – The wine was acceptable and was paired with grilled rib-eye steaks, mashed potatoes, and a wedge of Iceberg lettuce finished with blue cheese dressing along with chopped tomato and bacon bits.
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Medium garnet. Typical first generation Silver Oak. Creamy, oaky, vanilla, black fruit, leather, tea and mint. Well balanced and.ayered. Flavors reflect the nose with rich texture and length. Best 3-5 hours after decanting. Great with grilled steaks. Regardless of biases, this is just delicious, easy to drink 22 year old cab.
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The 1994 Alexander Valler Silver Oak Cabernet is simply awesome. Boasting a dense garnet robe it explodes in the glass with intense aromas of raspberry jam, hazelnuts, licorice and led pencil shavings. This medium to full bodied beauty pleases the palate with delicate yet delightfully unctuous intertwined flavours of caramel, dark chocolate and creme de cassis. The silky finish is perhaps a bit short of expectations in length given the build-up of the bouquet - but make no mistake this is an undeniable wine making tour de force. Having reached full maturity for some time it will probably not benefit from more cellaring and should be enjoyed over the next 5 years.
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After entering TN today, time to enjoy an Oldie but a goodie, 60% of the cork broke and the reminder was in pieces, nose of plum, tar, sage, and dried black cherries, more of the same on the palate, an auction bottle purchased for $70 about 8 months ago, delicious old style Cabernet with lots of aromatics and delicious mouth filling fruit, showing it's age, time to drink up, medium/big body, long, flavorful finish.
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We opened and decanted through a vinturi and then let it sit for two hours. Dark fruit on the nose, dark fruit, forest floor, fig and sage on the palate. A long smooth finish. Awesome considering its 21 years old.
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Man was this good, drank over a period of 4 hours. Needed to open up after being in the bottle for 21 years. Very smooth and buttery we sipped it over a 4 hr period, only got better as time went on. This was the third bottle we tasted of the 1994 in the last 3 mos.
Two were in a real sweet spot, one was past it's prime with a bit of sourness on the finish. Most likely a hit or miss on this year.
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What a surprise! Still powerful but very smooth. Eucalyptus nose with lots of fruit in the mouth and a long finish. You find all the complex variations of older cabs. As much as I do not enjoy this wine when just released (too much!) it's amazing what 20 years will do. Drinking extremely well. Enjoy now.
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Wow, integrated and yet still very richly primary. Mint, eucalyptus, wet pavement, foggy fresh air. Juicy dark fruits sitting behind white pepper, herbs, hay. Medium- tannins and acid. Maybe a couple years left but why not enjoy now.
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Nose of plum, forest floor, mint, and sage, more of the same on the palate, auction bottle that drank very well, medium/big body, delicious mouth filling complexity, suggest you drink it if you own it-about 5 years left, long, flavorful finish.
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'94 California Cabs in Palo Alto (Palo Alto, California): (Tasted Blind, Wine B) Pours a fairly deep opaque ruby with minimal bricking. So much mint/eucalyptus on the nose. Also, dark cherry, spice, cigar box and black currants. This has aged slowly and is still leaning primary. On the palate; dusty tannin, medium minus acid with excellent dark fruit presence. Generally Bordeaux like but with more mint/eucalyptus and a slightly darker more primal fruit profile. Good. My #3, the Groups #1.
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May be slightly past its prime. Medium ruby color, mineral & plum nose. Still plenty of tannins. Medium body, no legs. Wouldn't pay current price for this, but I purchase from winery when released at a 50% discount so worth holding for 20 years.
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Double Magnum - Decanted for 2.5 hours = Classic California Cab that still had good fruit for a 20-year old wine. Perhaps it was bottle size that slowed the decline as these wines are considered over the hill but the wine was open almost immediately and was delicious throughout the evening.
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Color: medium ruby core -> light ruby rim with some bricking. Mature bouquet showing cedar, cassis, vanilla and some oak (not too much). Palate was silky smooth, well balanced and long with good acidity. Not particularly complex--lots of sweet fruit and oak--but very well made and pleasantly quaffable. These have shown tremendous balance from release onward; I don't recall them ever having a awkward or dumb stage. I'd have to disagree with those who think this is over the hill; still holding nicely from my cellar and time in hand. Enjoy now or into the next several years.
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My fifth bottle in four years with each one more over the hill than the last. Still nice on the nose. Got the usual, head-filling roasted vanilla mixed with mature jams and spices.
On the palette, the spoonful of faded fruit and dash of zest are no match for the wood, which tastes as if the cooper had split it yesterday.
Overall fond memories of this wine, but best days are clearly past.
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- Garnet color and aromas of raisin, black currant, tobacco and raspberry. It's balanced with a light/medium body. Silky texture with a medium finish - Did a vertical tasting of '94, 2000, 2002, 2007.... The 94 was exceptional and delicious. Wanted to drink it before it turned.
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Very light but smooth wine. Opened up a little more after about 45min. Didn't stand up after we drank the '89 Bonny. It was a little too light as a follow up bottle. But still a very quality wine. Light oak, vanilla and soft fruits.
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Typical sweet oak/vanilla overtone in the nose. Dark ruby color. Decanted at 4pm and drinking great still at midnight. Heat with "black and blue" cowboy ribeye steaks. Nose is flowing and ethereal. Palate is strong on blackberry and flint with a hint of mocha and chocolate. Lots of life left.
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While this was past its prime, it's still very good, smooth fruit notes and an easy drink. There is light oak and vanilla on the long soft finish. Drink now.
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My wife and I were at a restaurant last night when a couple sat down next to us and brought this wine. After a short conversation he offered a glass. Pretty dark fruit nose. Tannins completely integrated. Smoke and some charcoal in the background with a tad watery note of dark, fading blackberry fruit. While the wine was on the downside of it's drinking curve, it was in a graceful decline. Good.
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Popped and poured, consumed over 1.5 hours. Nose: Medium expressiveness, mushrooms, earth, and black berry - definitely showing it's age, but still pleasant. Palate: More of the same, mushroom and earth with subtle fruit tones still present. Slightly past it's prime but still enjoyable - time to drink up though.
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Drinks great now. Fruit is a tad older now but perfect and impecable balance with a 1 minute finish. Good intense and smooth mocha, light herb and dark fruits with slight age tint but really good. Must be drank within the next year. Had on Mikes b-day with surf & turf.
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Drank with the McDougall's on Christmas Eve. The wine has definately lost a lot, slightly brown on the edge. Weight as light and flavors were dim. Somewhat disappointing from a magnum sized bottle but is was 18 years old. Should have had it 10 years ago.
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Ready to drink. Medium bodies. Silky soft. Fully matured. Pop and pour. Better after 2 hours in the glass. Tannins are soft (almost gone) and well integrated. Still very good and elegant plummy fruits. Better than the 1990.
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Popped and poured. Perfect cork, excellent fill. Cellared since release. Medium light ruby with slight browning at the edges. Modest nose with oak, some herbaceousness, and a touch of mint. On the palate smooth and soft with no remaining tannins to revolve, moderate depth, and a nice but not particularly long finish. On this first impression I would say these need to be drunk in the next few years. Nice wine but lacks acidity and complexity.
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I has several SO from 94 but this one ages perfectly - The aromas and the taste werSO at it's best - I could not stop smelling this delicious wine. I hope I have the oportunity to drink one of this guys again in the same condition.
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Auction purchase, nose of plum, black cherry, tea leaves, and bell pepper, more of the same on the palate, medium/big body, delicious wine with grilled salmon, old style Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon, fairly complex, solid core of fruit left, good for 5 more years, long, flavorful finish.
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4-6 hour slow ox is the way to go here. This had a bigger nose than it's '91 brother, and more fruits on the palate, mostly cran. Good secondary flavors shine through, although it had a short finish. A tad sweet too.
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1990s California Cabernet (Charlie Palmer Steak - Washington DC): A more plush wine than its older brother, this opened with a nose of cassis, dark berry fruits, cedar and some sweetness. Bigger in line with the vintage, but I just didn't get a lot of complexity out of it. On the palate it was a plush, soft example - correct, but not offering a lot of complexity. Maybe its just young? Great to taste and if I had any I would sit on them for awhile to see if more complexity develops.
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California Cabernet at Charlie Palmer's (Charlie Palmer's - DC): Nice earthy nose. Mushrooms, coffee grinds and dark cherries dominate the nose. Palate has subtle but prevalent tobacco, cranberry, and dried rose flavors. Thought it was a bit muted on the finish, but still a killer wine.
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(From memory). Thought it would be dead, but still had a bit of life to it. Probably gave it an extra point or two just for that. Overall, very elegant. The texture was a treat. Wouldve been better a few years ago, but there was still a relatively good balance of fruit and oak. Not much else though. The finish was short lived. A nice complement for some stinky cheese to start out a new year's eve.
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A treat to have had this wine from a 3L. Tannins completely smoothed out on the back, not super powerful and forward ... this one felt distinguished. Napa-sweet but not overripe, and that was to be expected. Perhaps it needed a little more depth for me to score it higher, or just a stylistic preference. I must say though I enjoyed this much more than a couple of the recent vintages of Silver Oak that I've had ... those were much too oaky.
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If you own this you better grab a bottle soon and take a taste test. We sampled this last evening, popped and decanted for about an hour. It is very big, dark fruit is discernible but not much upfront. Full bodied but I thought the oak was far more pronounced than necessary. I don't think there is much time left on these. The tasting window says to drink by 2009 and I encourage anyone who has these to get real about whether or not they are buying this to drink or collect for the completeness of their inventory. Realistically they should be consumed IMO....
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Absolutely delicious. Had some concern as it had been stored poorly over the years and the cork was crumbling. Decanted briefly and it drank very well.
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The fruit has integrated nicely here and it's not overly oaked in my opinion. However, it doesn't really briong enough to be what I'd call outstanding. It's probably a little past its prime as the fruit was starting to move towards the raisin profile.
This was purchased at the release party for $45. I'm not sure how the dude who just posted ahead of me got this for $25. Well done.
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This is the 2nd bottle I've had in the past 6 months and it continues to show well. Smooth, luxurious tannins, a medium-to-full body and a solid, 30 second finish. The fruit is beginning to fade, but if you've cellared it well, it won't disappoint. Drink over the next 10 years, it's not getting any better, only different. 13% abv, approx $25 on release.
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A bit oaky and tight after being decanted for 30-45 minutes. Good color for a 14 year old California Cabernet with medium body. With additional air time, the oak notes receded and the wine opened up with youthful fruit, silky tannins and a very long finish with delicious chocolate notes.
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One of the better Silver Oak Alexs I have had. The oak did not seem to completely overwhelm the wine like most other vintages I have tasted. Black fruit and oak in the mouth with a silky texture and nice finish. Not my favorite style of wine but represents California well for a great vintage. The wine will not last much longer so drink up.
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This wine was phenomenal and in the class of a second growth Bordeaux from Pauillac. The color was deep garnet with some brick showing. The nose was filled with scents of roses and cherries. The taste was complex and unctious with flavors of black and red cherry tart, kirsch, currants and blackberry jam.
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Nice red colour with some browning. Great cabernet nose. Very dry. I remember why I used to love this wine because it's fantastic. Silver Oaks second wine? I have always preferred it to the Napa.
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Opened this up side-by-side with the 98 Plumpjack for Sue's Bday at The Foundry w/Mimi & Oscar. I opened up very nicely in the decanter. Started drinking after about 1 hr. Lots of mellow fruit w/very soft tanins. Very tame next to the Plumpjack. Very enjoyable with the meal
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Very good. Ready to drink. Limited tannins with a very very smooth finish. Fruit forward without being a fruit bomb. Excelled five minutes after the bottle and even better two hours later. Drank with grilled Elk - fantastic.
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THis wine is a bit past its time. Drank well after a bit of breathing with some dark fruits, cherry,c urrant and cocoa on finish. Opened & served with nitrogen dispenser. Still, wine was flat on day 2.
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Drank this as the 3rd bottle w/Sheila and Larry. It was a wonderful pair for the dessert at Josie. The mocha went really well with it. This wine has some leggs stil. The fruit was bright w/nice tanins still. the oak was subtle. It tasted like a well aged SO Alexander. I am glad I have more. I really liked this wine.
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A very good showing by this wine, as it held its own against 94 Dalla Valle, only to be outdone by Insignia and Dominus. As good a placement as one could hope for in this wine, as definitely a touch thinner than the real pinnacles of CA cabernet.
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Full nose with dark notes and vanilla. In the mouth it is full-bodied with well defined tannins. The fruit is still there starting to turn dry. Excellent now, but I doubt that it will last for ever.
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A friend brought a 1.5 liter botlle. Decanted for just two hours. Had it with a Filet mignon and assorted sides. Was well rounded, tannins muted but the flavor and finish? Wow. Distinctive wine. Red cherry with the a buttery, hazelenut finish. Buttery was my initial thought, perhaps vanilla as one other reviewer noted. Nonetheless. This winemaker achieved the singularity that most only dream about. Tasted way better as a gift too.
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great bottle of wine. I should have started drinking them sooner. Had it at Napa Rose for Father's day 2006. Great fruit and tobacco. Little to no tanins was great with the sweet of the short ribs. decantaed for about 2 hours. the oak did not blow out the wonderful silveroak flavor
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This Silver Oak shows strong notes of oak and vanilla, in a typical Silver Oak style. However, the fruit is a bit weak and diluted, making the wood component the overpowering expressing. I thought it might fill in after an hour, but it was pretty consistent from cork pull to two hours. Predominate fruit notes in include dark rich cherry, subtle chocolate, nuts, with a distinct hazelnut element on the finish. Notable acidity and smooth resolved tannins make this a good wine to drink now, but far from an outstanding example of Silver Oak. I think it time to drink these up least the fruit diminish further.
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tasted last night in a blind wine free for all at a local wine shop. what an incredible night of wine debauchery.
first response from sticking my nose in the glass was the american oak, so i went with australia. wrong! so i quickly flipped to california and silver oak. the color indicated some modest age, but it was not as full bodied as my miniscule reference of the napa appelation indicated; therefore, alexander. all that was left was the vintage, and i guessed 1995. the wine was a little thin, and lacked complexity, but it was in balance. not my cup of tea, however, i can see why it maintains some status with the masses.
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Shows good concentration of color. On the nose there was lots of american oak, vanilla, spice, and not quite enough fruit for all that oak. Also a slightly off putting aroma of dill. Decent palate with medium weight body and a nice enough finish.
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Nice bottle that is holding up well and made a good match with prime rib for Christmas dinner. Too bad this became a large commercial winery a few years later, because the pre 1996 wines were special.
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Traditional Silver Oak characteristics, deep dark red, bold taste but refined with its age. Soft toasted Oak and dark berries. Nice medium long finish. Served with grilled New York strip steaks and the wine was a good match to the flavors of grilled steak.
Enjoyede this bottle with Hugh, a big fan of Silver Oak.
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3/3/2024 - breadSheeran wrote:
No formal notes based off memory from over a month ago but this was universally the group’s least favorite among a lineup of 94 Napa/Sonoma Cab Sauvs. No evidence of such on the cork, but it may have been poorly stored so not adding a rating or like/dislike - came out of the bottle really gross and stew-y, took >an hour to open into a very thick, almost dessert wine-y profile that was more palatable. Maybe just not my cup of tea but a sharp pivot off the other pleasant bottles we enjoyed that evening.
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3/2/2024 - Araldinho Likes this wine: 94 Points
Deep brick red.
Aromas of cassis, plum jam, chocolate, leather, cloves, sandalwood and baked earth.
Supple slightly chalky tannins. Blackcurrant acids and dark chocolate bitterness.
Medium/full body.
Palate of cassis, cedar, blackberry jam, black tea, cardamom, truffle and grilled steak.
A mature, vibrant and wonderful wine with dark ripe berry fruit, perfectly balanced with mushroom minerality and spices, and a long energetic finish. At its peak. Absolutely great wine.
Tasted alongside Pichon Baron 1988 and the present wine is less traditional, full of energy and equally complex.
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12/12/2023 - Spectator1996 wrote:
Do not aerate…this will fall apart in about an hour
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6/8/2023 - Rieslingfan wrote:
TN: Old Cabernet and Young Mourevdre (plus two Rieslings): Very much alive at age 29, and also quite elegant. Red fruit, a little bit of spice and vanilla, but not at all overbearing like the Napa can be. Tobacco and earth accents - just lovely. Drink up, but enjoy doing so. This is fully resolved, and ready when you are.
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5/24/2023 - toppcats@aol.com Likes this wine: 93 Points
Found a single bottle of this hidden within cellar- undisturbed for probably 20 years. Cork fully intact and only saturated at tip. Color dark garnet. Aroma of cherry and briar. On palate - dark fruit, briar, and graphite. Tannins fully resolved. Unexpectedly, actually a quite enjoyable mature wine. These older wines, very bottle variable based on looking thru the reviews. Got lucky!
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11/4/2022 - Lockareff Likes this wine: 94 Points
For some reason (maybe good storage), this bottle held up very well. No tannins, earth, still a good balance of fruit and acidity. Very enjoyable for my son's 28th.
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9/23/2022 - MC2 Wines wrote:
Opened and decanted for sediment and brought to dinner. This was tasting a bit old and tired at first when we re-opened it. I feel like it might have been softening some, but this doesn't seem like it was a wine that was really meant to age and while I like wines old this was past the high peak for sure. A bit unfortunate, but also not a producer that I actively look for and will probably avoid even the old bottles in the past.
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6/29/2022 - sergiozy Likes this wine:
Surprised my last bottle
Alcohol is prevalent but the fruit is still there a bit prunes but still good
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3/16/2022 - GaryHOhio Likes this wine: 95 Points
Opened and poured, Magnum, absolutely stunning after 28 years. Initial barnyard blew off in 10 minutes, classic Silver Oak mouthfeel, fruit still strong, bricking of course, maintained its flavor and structure for the three hours it took us to finish the bottle. Tannins conpletely resolved. Beautiful aged Silver Oak.
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12/25/2021 - mss452 wrote:
Exquisite
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12/24/2021 - KP6868 wrote:
Past peak. Opened decent. Became vinegary in glass.
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9/25/2021 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 96 Points
Opened to celebrate Saturday night and college football, nose of black cherry, black berry, briar, and earth, same on the palate, big body, elegant, mouth filling fruit, fabulous Cabernet Sauvignon that is 27 years old, and a long finish, uploaded photo showing lots of sediment at the bottom of the bottle.
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7/21/2020 - dlcolester wrote:
Very drinkable but starting to get past its peak. Somewhat light in flavor probably due to age
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3/1/2020 - Verb Likes this wine: 92 Points
dark red, orange/brick rim - fully mature dark red fruit nose, not very much complexity - the beauty of this wine is the full rich mouth with very good acid balance, moderate tannins still present - short (10-15 sec) finish - nice new world/old world contrast to the 89 Pichon Lalande drank at the same time - at his point in time, I'd prefer to smell the Pichon and drink the Silver Oak, though both are fully satisfying in their own right
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2/10/2020 - Alyssa421 wrote:
Past it’s prime. Too bad. ☹️
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1/8/2020 - shifter Likes this wine: 94 Points
Heard the rumblings about this one being over the hill. 3L might have made the difference because this bottle was the star of the night. Slow ox for 30 minutes and then decant. Wonderful bouquet right out of the bottle. Fully integrated tannins with good body and a long finish. Everyone drank up so fast I wish it would have been a 6L.
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1/7/2020 - rinnocenzi Likes this wine: 90 Points
Drink up at its end
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11/8/2019 - chuckarita wrote:
Still good like it
Always was
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8/19/2019 - Gr8penut Likes this wine: 91 Points
The magnum made a big difference!
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3/23/2019 - dino_mike Likes this wine: 96 Points
Perfect balance with fully resolved tannins that let the mineral, pencil lead and yes! light dark cherry flavor thru. Only a light hint of the spicy oak pops up in the finish but overall its blended in. Wine tastes years younger and only the balance and smooth finish hint at a well aged wine. The cork like most older SO's broke in the bottles with a cork-screw and needed an atzu-fork opener to get out.
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3/1/2019 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 98 Points
Opened to celebrate our wedding anniversary, nose of black cherry, mocha coffee, and earth, same on the palate, big body, delicious, elegant, mouth filling fruit, rich fruit, time to enjoy if you cellar it, and a long, long, flavorful finish. Uploaded label photo.
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2/18/2019 - HowellTime Likes this wine: 94 Points
Perfect cork, cigar box. Only decanted for 30 minutes. Nose has nice tannins and has aged well, still very bright in aroma. At first taste is acid and fruit forward with it developing on the back of the palate. The fruit is rich, solid acid that is balanced and very smooth. Drinks very well, classic 90’s Napa @ heart !!!!
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11/10/2018 - Mattshank wrote: 90 Points
Tasting at Bruce & Marsha C's House: Nose: Somewhat pruny but that blew off with some glass air. Still some oak. Palate: Red fruited with good acids and a nice finish.
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7/31/2018 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 94 Points
Nose of plum, spring flowers, sage, and baked cherry tart, more of the same on the palate, big body, rich fruit, mouth filling fruit, delicious secondary flavors, showing it's age but still holding well, and a long, flavorful finish and aftertaste.
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6/9/2018 - DarinC Likes this wine: 92 Points
Perfect cork and fill. PnP Obviously well stored. Plenty of dried red fruit along with to dusty tannins yet to be resolved. Decent acid and finish. Excellent overall, but missing the complexity found in other '94 Napa's.
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5/30/2018 - Grantmanon Likes this wine: 92 Points
Bricking around the edges, but still dark purple at the center. Initial aroma of strong cherry, cinnamon, nutmeg. Decanted two hours. Palate of cherry, baking spices. Muted tannins and medium acidity. Long finish.
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4/13/2018 - markcic Likes this wine: 92 Points
My niece had never drank any wine from her birth year and with the exception of vintage port this was the only 94 I had. We opened and poured through a soiree. This bottle was better than the one I had two years ago. Dark fruit and coffee on the nose. The palate was dark berries, fig, some cigar box, coffee and bay leaf. A nice long finish.
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1/26/2018 - FGS Likes this wine: 90 Points
Pleasantly surprised as to how this wine opened up, but took 2+ hours in the decanter for the musky herbal nose to dissipate. After that, the nose was pleasant, with more herbal notes and cigar. Very smooth, the fruit was bright with a touch of vanilla and cherry, and the wine had good length and a nice finish. It will smell "old" when first opened, but let it get some air, and it will reward. Drink now.
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12/25/2017 - Krlinv Likes this wine: 92 Points
Delicious, fully mature, buttery and very oaky in the Silver Oak tradition. Drink now!
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8/26/2017 - 79bulldog Likes this wine: 92 Points
Lovely floral bouquet with hints of leather and pencil lead on the finish. Drinking beautifully, but won't benefit from further aging.
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12/17/2016 - Steve Fishback wrote: 90 Points
Drank at an older California Cab tasting. This was the second oldest wine and while the wine still had decent dark fruit and some cedar and classic Cab flavors it was clearly fading and the tannins are mostly gone. An odd herbal must nose stayed with the wine over the 6 hour tasting. 90
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11/5/2016 - oldwines Likes this wine: 93 Points
Decanted around 5pm and drunk through 10 pm. Probably needs 2-3 hours to show its best. Medium translucent garnet. Typical old Silver Oak nose with vanilla, licorice, cherry, and cigar tobacco. Flavors of smiley oak, licorice, tobacco cherry, a little something herbal and a little chocolate on the finish. Really lovely.
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10/28/2016 - Cliff Booth Likes this wine: 93 Points
PnP, Morton's - medium body, bright red fruit and vanilla bouquet. Taste mirrors the nose on bold berry flavors showing secondary vanilla, cocoa and spice notes. Rich, resolved and so well-balanced with a fine tannic backbone still lingering just beneath the surface. A great wine to admire and enjoy.
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10/13/2016 - JonnyG Likes this wine: 92 Points
In great shape, with strong notes off red fruit, fennel and cedar. No rush on these.
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6/12/2016 - RWallace wrote: 90 Points
Color: Ruby. – Bouquet: Plum, blackberry, blueberry, tobacco, loam. – Palate: Plum, a bit of black currant, and a mélange of other fruit flavors. Dusty tannins. low acidity. Short finish. Fully mature. Not as pleasurable as past bottles of this wine. – The wine was acceptable and was paired with grilled rib-eye steaks, mashed potatoes, and a wedge of Iceberg lettuce finished with blue cheese dressing along with chopped tomato and bacon bits.
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4/23/2016 - oldwines Likes this wine: 94 Points
Medium garnet. Typical first generation Silver Oak. Creamy, oaky, vanilla, black fruit, leather, tea and mint. Well balanced and.ayered. Flavors reflect the nose with rich texture and length. Best 3-5 hours after decanting. Great with grilled steaks. Regardless of biases, this is just delicious, easy to drink 22 year old cab.
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4/17/2016 - Wineguy76 wrote: 95 Points
The 1994 Alexander Valler Silver Oak Cabernet is simply awesome. Boasting a dense garnet robe it explodes in the glass with intense aromas of raspberry jam, hazelnuts, licorice and led pencil shavings. This medium to full bodied beauty pleases the palate with delicate yet delightfully unctuous intertwined flavours of caramel, dark chocolate and creme de cassis. The silky finish is perhaps a bit short of expectations in length given the build-up of the bouquet - but make no mistake this is an undeniable wine making tour de force. Having reached full maturity for some time it will probably not benefit from more cellaring and should be enjoyed over the next 5 years.
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4/7/2016 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 93 Points
After entering TN today, time to enjoy an Oldie but a goodie, 60% of the cork broke and the reminder was in pieces, nose of plum, tar, sage, and dried black cherries, more of the same on the palate, an auction bottle purchased for $70 about 8 months ago, delicious old style Cabernet with lots of aromatics and delicious mouth filling fruit, showing it's age, time to drink up, medium/big body, long, flavorful finish.
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2/13/2016 - drj96 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very earthy with medium fruit and a clean finish
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1/3/2016 - markcic Likes this wine: 91 Points
We opened and decanted through a vinturi and then let it sit for two hours. Dark fruit on the nose, dark fruit, forest floor, fig and sage on the palate. A long smooth finish. Awesome considering its 21 years old.
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1/1/2016 - winetherapy Likes this wine: 95 Points
Man was this good, drank over a period of 4 hours. Needed to open up after being in the bottle for 21 years. Very smooth and buttery we sipped it over a 4 hr period, only got better as time went on. This was the third bottle we tasted of the 1994 in the last 3 mos.
Two were in a real sweet spot, one was past it's prime with a bit of sourness on the finish. Most likely a hit or miss on this year.
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12/19/2015 - Martin@LGagnon.ca Likes this wine:
What a surprise! Still powerful but very smooth. Eucalyptus nose with lots of fruit in the mouth and a long finish. You find all the complex variations of older cabs. As much as I do not enjoy this wine when just released (too much!) it's amazing what 20 years will do. Drinking extremely well. Enjoy now.
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12/11/2015 - yaCellar Likes this wine: 92 Points
Wow, integrated and yet still very richly primary. Mint, eucalyptus, wet pavement, foggy fresh air. Juicy dark fruits sitting behind white pepper, herbs, hay. Medium- tannins and acid. Maybe a couple years left but why not enjoy now.
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11/26/2015 - Pearboy Likes this wine: 88 Points
Opened a magnum for Thanksgiving. Probably past its prime a bit, still drinkable, but nothing spectacular.
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11/15/2015 - winetherapy Likes this wine: 94 Points
Smooth as silk, really good, wish I had more!
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10/4/2015 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 93 Points
Nose of plum, forest floor, mint, and sage, more of the same on the palate, auction bottle that drank very well, medium/big body, delicious mouth filling complexity, suggest you drink it if you own it-about 5 years left, long, flavorful finish.
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4/16/2015 - Wine Canuck wrote: 90 Points
'94 California Cabs in Palo Alto (Palo Alto, California): (Tasted Blind, Wine B) Pours a fairly deep opaque ruby with minimal bricking. So much mint/eucalyptus on the nose. Also, dark cherry, spice, cigar box and black currants. This has aged slowly and is still leaning primary. On the palate; dusty tannin, medium minus acid with excellent dark fruit presence. Generally Bordeaux like but with more mint/eucalyptus and a slightly darker more primal fruit profile. Good. My #3, the Groups #1.
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12/31/2014 - jkbrawley wrote: 91 Points
May be slightly past its prime. Medium ruby color, mineral & plum nose. Still plenty of tannins. Medium body, no legs. Wouldn't pay current price for this, but I purchase from winery when released at a 50% discount so worth holding for 20 years.
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9/25/2014 - philweird Likes this wine: 93 Points
Double Magnum - Decanted for 2.5 hours = Classic California Cab that still had good fruit for a 20-year old wine. Perhaps it was bottle size that slowed the decline as these wines are considered over the hill but the wine was open almost immediately and was delicious throughout the evening.
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9/22/2014 - BVal wrote: 91 Points
Color: medium ruby core -> light ruby rim with some bricking. Mature bouquet showing cedar, cassis, vanilla and some oak (not too much). Palate was silky smooth, well balanced and long with good acidity. Not particularly complex--lots of sweet fruit and oak--but very well made and pleasantly quaffable. These have shown tremendous balance from release onward; I don't recall them ever having a awkward or dumb stage. I'd have to disagree with those who think this is over the hill; still holding nicely from my cellar and time in hand. Enjoy now or into the next several years.
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8/15/2014 - overhill wrote: 90 Points
My fifth bottle in four years with each one more over the hill than the last. Still nice on the nose. Got the usual, head-filling roasted vanilla mixed with mature jams and spices.
On the palette, the spoonful of faded fruit and dash of zest are no match for the wood, which tastes as if the cooper had split it yesterday.
Overall fond memories of this wine, but best days are clearly past.
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6/30/2014 - sbwinedrinker wrote: 92 Points
- Garnet color and aromas of raisin, black currant, tobacco and raspberry. It's balanced with a light/medium body. Silky texture with a medium finish - Did a vertical tasting of '94, 2000, 2002, 2007.... The 94 was exceptional and delicious. Wanted to drink it before it turned.
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6/13/2014 - Katieq1127 wrote: 90 Points
This is still a fantastic bottle of wine! Even 20 years later!
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12/31/2013 - Rjpa8c wrote: 89 Points
Very light but smooth wine. Opened up a little more after about 45min. Didn't stand up after we drank the '89 Bonny. It was a little too light as a follow up bottle. But still a very quality wine. Light oak, vanilla and soft fruits.
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7/27/2013 - oldwines Likes this wine: 92 Points
Typical sweet oak/vanilla overtone in the nose. Dark ruby color. Decanted at 4pm and drinking great still at midnight. Heat with "black and blue" cowboy ribeye steaks. Nose is flowing and ethereal. Palate is strong on blackberry and flint with a hint of mocha and chocolate. Lots of life left.
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7/16/2013 - robertcut wrote: 93 Points
While this was past its prime, it's still very good, smooth fruit notes and an easy drink. There is light oak and vanilla on the long soft finish. Drink now.
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7/13/2013 - Tom Myers Likes this wine: 90 Points
A little past it's prime...
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5/23/2013 - tanglenet wrote:
My wife and I were at a restaurant last night when a couple sat down next to us and brought this wine. After a short conversation he offered a glass. Pretty dark fruit nose. Tannins completely integrated. Smoke and some charcoal in the background with a tad watery note of dark, fading blackberry fruit. While the wine was on the downside of it's drinking curve, it was in a graceful decline. Good.
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4/27/2013 - prasm wrote: 89 Points
Popped and poured, consumed over 1.5 hours. Nose: Medium expressiveness, mushrooms, earth, and black berry - definitely showing it's age, but still pleasant. Palate: More of the same, mushroom and earth with subtle fruit tones still present. Slightly past it's prime but still enjoyable - time to drink up though.
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11/29/2012 - dino_mike Likes this wine: 90 Points
Drinks great now. Fruit is a tad older now but perfect and impecable balance with a 1 minute finish. Good intense and smooth mocha, light herb and dark fruits with slight age tint but really good. Must be drank within the next year. Had on Mikes b-day with surf & turf.
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11/19/2012 - sergiozy wrote: 90 Points
ready soft at firs abut it did open then it got heavier
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10/16/2012 - JAKurek wrote: flawed
Ox'd
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7/9/2012 - golfhawk wrote: 92 Points
Very soft and lighter than expected. It actually went great with Stealhead and had mor red fruits than dark. It seems to be losing fruit so drink up.
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5/31/2012 - kenv wrote: 82 Points
WCC 1994 California Cabernet Blind Tasting (Fort Orange Club, Albany, NY): Stewed fruit nose. Tired and dried out in the mouth, but not unpleasant. Tied for group wine #2 with 13 points. Go figure.
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3/16/2012 - JSolo wrote: 92 Points
Consistent tastings. Very good. Ready to drink. Pop and pour.
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2/24/2012 - JSolo wrote: 92 Points
Ready to drink. Very good.
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1/1/2012 - bryon m wrote: 89 Points
Drank with the McDougall's on Christmas Eve. The wine has definately lost a lot, slightly brown on the edge. Weight as light and flavors were dim. Somewhat disappointing from a magnum sized bottle but is was 18 years old. Should have had it 10 years ago.
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12/25/2011 - JSolo wrote: 92 Points
Ready to drink. Enjoyed very much.
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12/3/2011 - emkc wrote: 91 Points
Ready to drink. Medium bodies. Silky soft. Fully matured. Pop and pour. Better after 2 hours in the glass. Tannins are soft (almost gone) and well integrated. Still very good and elegant plummy fruits. Better than the 1990.
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11/20/2011 - Bordeauxman wrote: 89 Points
Cherry/rasberry nose and taste. Mature taste of tobacco, leather and dark fruit. Fully mature and time to drink it up.
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10/1/2011 - rosenst1 wrote: 88 Points
Popped and poured. Perfect cork, excellent fill. Cellared since release. Medium light ruby with slight browning at the edges. Modest nose with oak, some herbaceousness, and a touch of mint. On the palate smooth and soft with no remaining tannins to revolve, moderate depth, and a nice but not particularly long finish. On this first impression I would say these need to be drunk in the next few years. Nice wine but lacks acidity and complexity.
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8/28/2011 - JJB007 wrote: 97 Points
this wine is sweeter than the 1996 Silver oak Alexander Valley
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5/22/2011 - sgamiz wrote: 97 Points
I has several SO from 94 but this one ages perfectly - The aromas and the taste werSO at it's best - I could not stop smelling this delicious wine. I hope I have the oportunity to drink one of this guys again in the same condition.
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4/4/2011 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 93 Points
Auction purchase, nose of plum, black cherry, tea leaves, and bell pepper, more of the same on the palate, medium/big body, delicious wine with grilled salmon, old style Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon, fairly complex, solid core of fruit left, good for 5 more years, long, flavorful finish.
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3/12/2011 - no leashes wrote: 91 Points
Alas, this is our last bottle. Drinking lovely, with dark fruit, some green pepper, cassis and earth, smooth and delicious.
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1/22/2011 - jdabrowski1027 wrote: 91 Points
4-6 hour slow ox is the way to go here. This had a bigger nose than it's '91 brother, and more fruits on the palate, mostly cran. Good secondary flavors shine through, although it had a short finish. A tad sweet too.
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1/21/2011 - gblacave wrote: 88 Points
1990s California Cabernet (Charlie Palmer Steak - Washington DC): A more plush wine than its older brother, this opened with a nose of cassis, dark berry fruits, cedar and some sweetness. Bigger in line with the vintage, but I just didn't get a lot of complexity out of it. On the palate it was a plush, soft example - correct, but not offering a lot of complexity. Maybe its just young? Great to taste and if I had any I would sit on them for awhile to see if more complexity develops.
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1/21/2011 - tooch wrote: 90 Points
California Cabernet at Charlie Palmer's (Charlie Palmer's - DC): Nice earthy nose. Mushrooms, coffee grinds and dark cherries dominate the nose. Palate has subtle but prevalent tobacco, cranberry, and dried rose flavors. Thought it was a bit muted on the finish, but still a killer wine.
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12/12/2010 - rmgroves wrote: 95 Points
Had w 50th. Outstanding w chocolate
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12/10/2010 - RoccoSydney wrote: 91 Points
At the end but still drinkable. Not much fruit left but a nice tobacco finish
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11/30/2010 - dferreir wrote: 91 Points
decent. aged well. earthy. not as much depth as i would have expected.
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9/10/2010 - Brett wrote: 84 Points
Way past prime....
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8/15/2010 - RoccoSydney wrote: 88 Points
Soft, but still good. Another 6-12 months anyway
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7/24/2010 - bentleyj1997 wrote: 93 Points
Wonderful wine 3-4 yes left. Smoke w tobacco and cherry. Smooth earthy finish.
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6/28/2010 - RoccoSydney wrote: 90 Points
Not more than 1-2 years left. soft, velvety, almost merlot like
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6/8/2010 - mlgold2b wrote: 94 Points
Still terrific. An impressive bottle of wine that I feared was on its way out. Drank with a 1999 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Fay, and this was superior.
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5/1/2010 - snowine wrote: 88 Points
Not giving much on the nose. The fruit is fading, but what is left of the wine is well balanced. If you have any left, drink up!
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4/8/2010 - anonymoose12345 wrote: 93 Points
A beautiful, big, rich, well integrated wine that's a pleasure to drink right now.
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3/30/2010 - Bordeauxman wrote: 90 Points
Bricking visible at the edge. Fruit forward, cassis & dark jammy nose and taste. Well integrated and nearing the end of its peak.
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3/21/2010 - RoccoSydney wrote: 88 Points
Very nice. Late in its maturity, with a velvety nose and predominantly blackberry flavors.
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3/21/2010 - Bordeauxman wrote: 89 Points
Crimson color, nose of violets, cassis, black berry. Litght finish. Not much to be gained with furth age. Drink up!
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1/16/2010 - Bordeauxman wrote: 90 Points
On open, dark purple, opaque wine. dark berry, red currant, leather. integrated tannin. nearing the end of its good life.
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12/31/2009 - haqofeta wrote: 92 Points
(From memory). Thought it would be dead, but still had a bit of life to it. Probably gave it an extra point or two just for that. Overall, very elegant. The texture was a treat. Wouldve been better a few years ago, but there was still a relatively good balance of fruit and oak. Not much else though. The finish was short lived. A nice complement for some stinky cheese to start out a new year's eve.
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10/23/2009 - Hazeo wrote: 89 Points
A treat to have had this wine from a 3L. Tannins completely smoothed out on the back, not super powerful and forward ... this one felt distinguished. Napa-sweet but not overripe, and that was to be expected. Perhaps it needed a little more depth for me to score it higher, or just a stylistic preference. I must say though I enjoyed this much more than a couple of the recent vintages of Silver Oak that I've had ... those were much too oaky.
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9/25/2009 - MeMyself&I wrote: 89 Points
If you own this you better grab a bottle soon and take a taste test. We sampled this last evening, popped and decanted for about an hour. It is very big, dark fruit is discernible but not much upfront. Full bodied but I thought the oak was far more pronounced than necessary.
I don't think there is much time left on these. The tasting window says to drink by 2009 and I encourage anyone who has these to get real about whether or not they are buying this to drink or collect for the completeness of their inventory. Realistically they should be consumed IMO....
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4/22/2009 - lkatz wrote: 94 Points
Absolutely delicious. Had some concern as it had been stored poorly over the years and the cork was crumbling. Decanted briefly and it drank very well.
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4/4/2009 - jts_brown wrote: 89 Points
The fruit has integrated nicely here and it's not overly oaked in my opinion. However, it doesn't really briong enough to be what I'd call outstanding. It's probably a little past its prime as the fruit was starting to move towards the raisin profile.
This was purchased at the release party for $45. I'm not sure how the dude who just posted ahead of me got this for $25. Well done.
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4/3/2009 - Tim Heaton Likes this wine:
This is the 2nd bottle I've had in the past 6 months and it continues to show well. Smooth, luxurious tannins, a medium-to-full body and a solid, 30 second finish. The fruit is beginning to fade, but if you've cellared it well, it won't disappoint. Drink over the next 10 years, it's not getting any better, only different. 13% abv, approx $25 on release.
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3/7/2009 - Cloverstudio wrote: 93 Points
Sublime. Smooth and silky without any harsh tannins. Nice fruit with a fresh nose. Definitely ready to go, but not old at all.
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1/17/2009 - Sassy Sue wrote: 90 Points
Great as always Xmas 2008
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1/12/2009 - Gfritzh wrote: 93 Points
A bit oaky and tight after being decanted for 30-45 minutes. Good color for a 14 year old California Cabernet with medium body. With additional air time, the oak notes receded and the wine opened up with youthful fruit, silky tannins and a very long finish with delicious chocolate notes.
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12/31/2008 - scw wrote: 96 Points
yum!. still A FAVORITE
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12/22/2008 - dea wrote:
One of the better Silver Oak Alexs I have had. The oak did not seem to completely overwhelm the wine like most other vintages I have tasted. Black fruit and oak in the mouth with a silky texture and nice finish. Not my favorite style of wine but represents California well for a great vintage. The wine will not last much longer so drink up.
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11/28/2008 - johnwine wrote: 93 Points
This wine was phenomenal and in the class of a second growth Bordeaux from Pauillac. The color was deep garnet with some brick showing. The nose was filled with scents of roses and cherries. The taste was complex and unctious with flavors of black and red cherry tart, kirsch, currants and blackberry jam.
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10/10/2008 - scw wrote: 94 Points
drakn at 1st USC home game and it was amazing (the wine).
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7/4/2008 - David J Cooper wrote:
Nice red colour with some browning. Great cabernet nose. Very dry. I remember why I used to love this wine because it's fantastic. Silver Oaks second wine? I have always preferred it to the Napa.
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6/8/2008 - JerryS wrote: 90 Points
Very well balanced, great both alone or with food.
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3/24/2008 - scw wrote: 90 Points
Opened this up side-by-side with the 98 Plumpjack for Sue's Bday at The Foundry w/Mimi & Oscar. I opened up very nicely in the decanter. Started drinking after about 1 hr. Lots of mellow fruit w/very soft tanins. Very tame next to the Plumpjack. Very enjoyable with the meal
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3/17/2008 - pkolenda wrote: 96 Points
Very good. Ready to drink. Limited tannins with a very very smooth finish. Fruit forward without being a fruit bomb. Excelled five minutes after the bottle and even better two hours later. Drank with grilled Elk - fantastic.
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2/23/2008 - rumorsofsurf wrote: 95 Points
Amazing classic cab... well balanced and perfect with food. Still great - but, ready to drink now.
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1/13/2008 - harrisxlt@gmail.com wrote: 88 Points
Great year and wine, a little past it's prime drink now!
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12/16/2007 - greywolf10 wrote: 88 Points
Dark smell. Raisin flavors.
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11/25/2007 - greywolf10 wrote: 88 Points
THis wine is a bit past its time. Drank well after a bit of breathing with some dark fruits, cherry,c urrant and cocoa on finish. Opened & served with nitrogen dispenser. Still, wine was flat on day 2.
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11/18/2007 - greywolf10 wrote: 90 Points
A family favorite. Nice dark berry flavor with hints of oak on finish.
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11/12/2007 - AMeehan wrote: 89 Points
Excellent wine. Drank to celebrate Murphy on 11-5-07 the day she died. Best dog in the world. Born on 3-17-94.
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11/6/2007 - scw wrote: 93 Points
Drank this as the 3rd bottle w/Sheila and Larry. It was a wonderful pair for the dessert at Josie. The mocha went really well with it. This wine has some leggs stil. The fruit was bright w/nice tanins still. the oak was subtle. It tasted like a well aged SO Alexander. I am glad I have more. I really liked this wine.
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9/12/2007 - BeavisCC wrote: 93 Points
A very good showing by this wine, as it held its own against 94 Dalla Valle, only to be outdone by Insignia and Dominus. As good a placement as one could hope for in this wine, as definitely a touch thinner than the real pinnacles of CA cabernet.
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9/11/2007 - sgamiz wrote: 94 Points
Excelent Bottle !!!!!!!!!!
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8/9/2007 - pea wrote: 92 Points
Full nose with dark notes and vanilla. In the mouth it is full-bodied with well defined tannins. The fruit is still there starting to turn dry. Excellent now, but I doubt that it will last for ever.
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3/10/2007 - Philly-O wrote: 95 Points
A friend brought a 1.5 liter botlle. Decanted for just two hours. Had it with a Filet mignon and assorted sides. Was well rounded, tannins muted but the flavor and finish? Wow. Distinctive wine. Red cherry with the a buttery, hazelenut finish. Buttery was my initial thought, perhaps vanilla as one other reviewer noted. Nonetheless. This winemaker achieved the singularity that most only dream about. Tasted way better as a gift too.
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12/19/2006 - vino555 wrote: 96 Points
Awesome bottle
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6/19/2006 - scw wrote: 90 Points
great bottle of wine. I should have started drinking them sooner. Had it at Napa Rose for Father's day 2006. Great fruit and tobacco. Little to no tanins was great with the sweet of the short ribs. decantaed for about 2 hours. the oak did not blow out the wonderful silveroak flavor
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5/5/2006 - Mark wrote: 89 Points
This Silver Oak shows strong notes of oak and vanilla, in a typical Silver Oak style. However, the fruit is a bit weak and diluted, making the wood component the overpowering expressing. I thought it might fill in after an hour, but it was pretty consistent from cork pull to two hours. Predominate fruit notes in include dark rich cherry, subtle chocolate, nuts, with a distinct hazelnut element on the finish. Notable acidity and smooth resolved tannins make this a good wine to drink now, but far from an outstanding example of Silver Oak. I think it time to drink these up least the fruit diminish further.
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4/12/2006 - jeff nowak wrote: 89 Points
tasted last night in a blind wine free for all at a local wine shop. what an incredible night of wine debauchery.
first response from sticking my nose in the glass was the american oak, so i went with australia. wrong! so i quickly flipped to california and silver oak. the color indicated some modest age, but it was not as full bodied as my miniscule reference of the napa appelation indicated; therefore, alexander. all that was left was the vintage, and i guessed 1995. the wine was a little thin, and lacked complexity, but it was in balance. not my cup of tea, however, i can see why it maintains some status with the masses.
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4/9/2006 - kris.h wrote:
Shows good concentration of color. On the nose there was lots of american oak, vanilla, spice, and not quite enough fruit for all that oak. Also a slightly off putting aroma of dill. Decent palate with medium weight body and a nice enough finish.
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12/25/2005 - luko wrote:
Nice bottle that is holding up well and made a good match with prime rib for Christmas dinner. Too bad this became a large commercial winery a few years later, because the pre 1996 wines were special.
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10/14/2005 - cynicnomore wrote: 88 Points
Buttery soft, with only a few tannins remaining. Just a touch of raisins and leather on the nose, strong black cherries throughout.
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5/1/2005 - winefool wrote: 92 Points
Not bad. 5/05
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2/17/2005 - JWA wrote: 91 Points
Traditional Silver Oak characteristics, deep dark red, bold taste but refined with its age. Soft toasted Oak and dark berries. Nice medium long finish. Served with grilled New York strip steaks and the wine was a good match to the flavors of grilled steak.
Enjoyede this bottle with Hugh, a big fan of Silver Oak.
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2/15/2005 - Tom Jefferson wrote: 94 Points
Let open in bottle for 1 hr; awesome, long finish; dark fruits, coffee, long finish
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5/26/2003 - dbg wrote:
excellent
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10/19/2001 - dbg wrote:
outstanding, rich, ripe, balanced
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12/31/1999 - SadEdjo wrote:
lush blackberry & chocolate. smooth tannins & long finish
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7/4/1999 - SadEdjo wrote:
rich cherry vanilla long mild finish
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