Anniversary Dinner at Flemings. Nose of black cherry, mocha, blackberry, cranberry, and roasted Wagyu, same on the palate, big body, very silky, melted milk chocolate texture on the mid palate and finish, delicious tasting Cabernet Sauvignon, at its best so enjoy sooner or during the next 5 years, mouth filling fruit, lovely long, long, flavorful finish and mature delicious aftertaste. Photo shows sediment coating the bottle from long term/proper storage on its side in my cellar.
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Decanted with surprisingly no noticeable sediment, last bottle of three, personally cellared since 2008, Lovely nose of blue fruits and graphite like minerals, the palate was nicely balance by dark and blue fruits, hints of cranberry, soft and silky smooth finish. Based on this bottle, should drink well for several more years.
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Opened about an hour before starting to drink- wine kept improving over the next three hours as the last taste was the best. Lively cherry and cassis with the signature Silver Oak vanilla notes.
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Back in NYC (Francie): Surprised a bit by this wine. We've bought a few of the old ones, but I think of this as more of a standard Napa Valley wine. It was much more restrained than I expected. Definitely new world and has that fruit, but balanced with good acidity.
2005 Silver Oak Cabernet Taste-Off: Decanted for about 45 minutes. The color was a medium violet to a faded rim. Mostly red fruits on the nose, with an earthy note. The medium bodied palate showed mostly red fruits, some darker fruits, some earthy notes, and a touch of spice. The acidity was nicely balancing. The standout feature that differentiated this bottle from the 2005 Alexander Valley Cabernet was the noticeably smoother and silkier mouthfeel of this wine. Should hold for several more years, but I doubt that it will improve, so drink up. This bottle was held under "perfect" conditions since purchase at the winery in 2012. At 15 years old, it is a solidly good, but not WOW, Cabernet. See the 2005 Alexander Valley Cabernet TN for comparison.
I had written these off in 2016 and I am happy to say that they have really improved and come together nicely. The red fruits have integrated nicely with the smoke and cedar notes. Medium + finish.
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Wow, bought at winery in 2020 and the 2005 Cab didn’t disappoint. Huge tasting difference with the time you decant and let breathe. Gave it a taste immediately upon opening, sharp and tannic. Then waited 1 hour and it had opened up nicely. The magic was it kept opening up over the second hour and got better and better the longer it was breathing. In the end a very smooth taste.
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felt like this is in the third or fourth quarter of its life... I like them older generally, and like them elegant / not BIG... this actually felt like it had lost just a little bit of its power... so drink up... classic Napa cab typicity but just a little flat / weak for what we wanted
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I’ve drunk 6 bottles of this wine this year (it being the 15th year of my 2005 wedding anniversary after all). Each bottle has surprised and delighted me. It’s got that Silver Oak character - hint of floral perfume that stays with you, and allows you to breathe in over the back of your palette and taste it all over again, long after you finish each sip. Just love this wine... still big, still bold, but soft enough to sip and enjoy standalone. I think it’s at its peak right now, so drink up! I have three bottles left to finish by the end of the year!
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This was really a good bottle. Balanced and delicious. The nose was very Bordeaux like with ripe cassis followed by cedar, herbs, tobacco, and sweet spices. The palate has plenty of power and depth, but remains quite balanced and elegant (for a cab). Super with steaks. In no rush to be drunk
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From a bottle purchased upon release and pristinely cellared, this wine is clearly in a good place. A deep red/garnet blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot (aged for 25 months in 100% new American oak), it retains its core of dark berry fruit that is augmented with espresso, licorice, chocolate and eucalyptus. Medium-to-full-bodied, low in acidity and with well-woven alcohol (listed as 13.5%), its tannins have largely resolved. Solid in the middle and finishing with good length, this remains true to Silver Oak's style. Well-cellared bottles should reach their 20th birthday. Drink now-2025.
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Not much to add given there are 300+ tasting notes, suffice to say in broad agreement on the highlights: peak drinking, soft on the tannins, fruit is a touch faded, but overall this is still a very pleasant bottle. Fruit elements included candied walnuts, cassis, and violets, all harmoniously framed with the still-present oak. Definitely drink now.
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Turning burnt red in color, this is ready to drink now. Tannins are mellow but still well integrated with the fruit. Has notes of cassis, plum and a hint of brown spice. Medium to long finish.
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We decanted this for 40 minutes while waiting for dinner and even though it started out good, it got better as the night went on. Hints of blackberry and figs, with a hint of leather on the nose. If the whole bottle had tasted like the final sips, it would garner a 94 point rating.
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Finally decided to break this open over Labor Day weekend 2018 with some 2”+ grilled filets after purchasing on a visit to Silver Oak back in 2013. Only about an hour decant and very little sediment was visible. Tannins have softened significantly, very smooth. The signature Silver Oak, American oak toasted vanilla, was present but nuanced, not overpowering as it can be on some of their younger wines.
The fruit had definitely balanced out as it was not bright but rather drank like a more mature aged cabernet would, soft with some depth but limited fruit. Almost wonder if it may be slightly past its prime in that regard but very balanced and smooth with a bit of cedar undertones. Drank better on the second day but excellent on both! Almost wish we had this a bit sooner to enjoy a bit brighter fruit but no doubt an awesome wine.
Would recommend drinking anytime now and a good reminder to just buy a case in the future to sample through its aging curve and find the perfect time to enjoy! At least that’s how we rationalize it!
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Wine is aging nicely and developing some secondary flavors of pine forest. Red fruit dominates, but the tannins have integrated nicely. A little fat on the middle and finish.
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30 minute decant was perfect, thanks Steve G!! Classic Silver Oak nose! Barnyard and flowers, love it! Best part of this wine! Very complex wine but lacked structure and not as powerful as I remember. Definitely a different style Napa Cab than what is being made today. Finish could be longer, but definitely an upper echelon brand, at least back then. Don't wait much longer to consume.
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Rating this one a bit higher than the last, mostly due to the fact that we drank over two hours, so the wine had more time to show. Great nose, with all the classic SO traits; oak, vanilla, blueberry and cherry. Smooth and lush on the palate. Bright flavors of dark berries and a touch of chocolate. Absolutely wonderful right now. Our last bottle, but will try to find more.
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A special cab for Super Bowl Sunday. It did not disappoint. The fruit is still robust, but tannins have smoothed, to produce a wine that beautiful at this time.
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Decanted for 2 hours . A black red color with good viscosity. The nose presents scents of cola, olive, blackberry, black currants, and vanilla. The taste provided medium mouth feel, average acidity, and medium tannins. The flavors on the palate were blackberry, cherry cola, and vanilla. This wine is best with salty and fatty food. Still had very good life, which I suspect at least 10 more years. Score 91
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Nose of black cherry, black berry and boysenberry, same on the palate, big body, showing very well today, suggest you try it and see what you think, very tasty with BBQ Spare Ribs, lots of fruit, touch of mocha, almost elegant today, close to its best and easily last another 12 years, long, long finish and wonderful aftertaste.
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Nose of black cherry, mocha, blackberry, and cranberry, same on the palate, big body, delicious tasting Cabernet Sauvignon, almost at its peak, maybe another year or two, mouth filling fruit, touch of soft tannin on the long, long, flavorful finish.
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I don't understand the fuss about this wine and how it gets such high ratings. I got a gift pack of 2002-2007, and none of them have been more enjoyable than a decent $15 cab. Maybe Napa cabs just aren't my thing.
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This was a fantastic Cabernet. Initially I was surprised with its subtly soft tannin, but was very pleased with its smoothness, clarity and pure flavor. It's aging has yielded a very elegant red, headed toward Bordeaux likeness. This is a really superb wine.
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So we made this buzzfeed roast and it was stellar (https://www.buzzfeed.com/alvinzhou/prime-rib-with-garlic-herb-butter?utm_term=.onAAjJ1jjx#.cxWKr7vrrp), then paired it with this beauty. I've never been a massive Silver Oak fan, but I have to say it made a strong showing. Not quite as strong as the 2004 we poured it next to, but still, I loved the backbone and cedar and subtle fruit on this one. Oh, and cassis. I'm supposed to say cassis.
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Strawberries and grass is on the nose. The tannins have greatly relaxed and this quaffs nicely next to a steak. The palette is initially greeted with perfume of strawberries and plum which gives way to an herbaceous finish. Well crafted and sip, it will go quickly.
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Opened my last one from the cellar and knew this was going to be a special treat. Wonderful bouquet, chocolate, cherry, and perfectly oaked. Just wanted to hold it in my mouth and savor...but when I paired it with steak it was so heavenly I drank my first glass entirely within 5 minutes of sitting down for dinner...was ready to drink so glad we opened, was worth the 11 year wait.
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Big and bold style that is has tempered with age. It has gained some in complexity, but also lost a bit too much focus and precision. There is still good red fruit, vanilla, cola, and oaky smoothness. The tannins are still chunky, but the edges are smooth and rounded. Nice nose and a graceful attack on the palate, but then it was muddled with dark fruit, toasty wood, sweet sandlewood and it felt very disjointed for a wine of this age. I think the best days are behind it and it is time to drink these up.
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Nose of black cherry, black currants, touch of briar and mocha, the same on the palate, big body, lots of fruit on the mid palate, really showing well, will improve the next 2 years, almost brooding but flavorful this morning, and a long, long finish.
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Alcohol fumes right out of the bottle settled down over an hour or so into vanilla/oak, chocolate, and some savory notes. Beautiful color in glass- reddish-purple fading to orange at edges. Dark berries on the front-end. More acid on the mid-palate than I would have expected at this point. Tannins fairly well integrated. Medium-length finish that begins with some unpleasant bitter notes. Much better with the nicely grilled sirloin than on its own. Would not hold longer.
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Decanted 1 hour. First tasted after 15 minutes and was still tight. Opened up wonderfully, black cherry, chocolate and hints of tobacco. Long smooth finish. Perfect to drink now
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This wine is drinking beautifully now. Spice, tobacco, leather & smoke that opens up in the glass with time. We enjoyed with a steak. Perfect for food or just sipping.
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Opened and gave a hard decant. Initial nose in decanter was oak. Tons of oak. Go figure! Plush fruit of plumbs, berry and cherries on the nose, with nicely balanced fruit, tannin and acidity throughout the palate. Improved with time in the glass - again, go figure. This is a wine to drink and savor over dinner, or sip in conversation with friends or simply enjoy during quiet contemplation. Drinking well, and if cellared well, should hold up over time. Drink and enjoy!
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Nose of black cherry fruit, plum, and currants, more of the same on the palate, mouth filling, delicious, at its peak, medium/big body, lovely to savor over dinner, long finish.
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this bottle was shared by mario and aurora (probably from vinny's cellar) on the occasion of their first visit to ellen and louis's home on bloomingdale road. we had arrived late to dinner so the bottle had already been open for an hour. it showed very well. generous aroma. velvet in the mouth. all components well integrated. nice cabernet typicity.
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A tremendous effort here. The cherry, forest floor, and dark chocolate bouquet is infused with pencil shavings, smoke, and Big Red gum. This is impeccably structured on the palate, showing considerable depth, and an earthy element that lifts gradually unfolding notes of cassis, figs, and raw Peruvian black olives. Tethered by balance, richness, and substance, the wine closes with a long crushed rock finish. Decanting for two hours pays off; it was singing at the 3 1/2 hour mark.
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Nose of mocha chocolate, pencil lead, black cherry fruit, and currants, more of the same on the palate, medium/big body, delicious tasting with Italian meat pizza, near to it's peak, decant for one hour, with a long, lingering finish.
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Fared surprisingly well when tasted blind against two '05 Bordeaux. Black currant, blueberry and some prune on the nose as well as hints of spice or pepper. Tannic, yet balanced with 40 sec smooth finish. Drinking now through 2025.
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Very nice wine tonight. I believe this wine has reached maturity, but it really only did so after about 2 hours of decanting. By the time it got there, about 80 percent of the bottle was gone. Wine was uncorked and poured a dark red color into the glass. A little bricked on the edge and I expected this at 10 yrs post vintage. The nose was fig and some slightly aged blackberry with some kind of minty note. Some herbaceousness was there as well. The wine entered soft on the palate. At first, the palate imitated what the nose was producing, medium+ body. Middle and finish were blackberry, fig, aged saddle leather, green pepper, and finished with pepper and grit. Softened again around 2 hours and was giving good berry notes without as much herbaceousness. I think this one will continue to become more vegetal as it ages. I don't think it will improve any MORE in the bottle, but I think it will continue to drink well through 2020.
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Consistent with my tasting notes from two years ago. The nose and palate are consistant with some more tertiary flavored developing. The herb, olive and green pepper are coming through with more harmonious mouth feel. Still needs two hours of air to fully open. At or near peak but should drink well for another 10 years. Paired wonderfully with herb crusted roast beef.
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Soft tannins; excellent taste with well balanced fruit and little acidity; 13.5% Alc - does not overpower and an excellent companion to sirloin and filet mignon - our last bottle of the 2005 - the Napa valley vs Alexander Valley makes a difference - this was a sublime evening of exemplary perfection. Will be seeking more Silver Oaks as appropriate down the road - reafirms why cabernet sauvignon is king...(BTW - the cork crumbled - but extracted and decanted W/O any problems.)
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2015 Silver Oak Release Party at the winery, nose of black cherry fruit, earth, and currants, more of the same on the palate, this wine has aged beautifully, mouth filling, delicious, at its peak, medium/big body, lovely, long, long, long flavorful finish. Tasted three times today, similar results.
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Opened and served immediately beside a steak and potato dinner. A sinewy and luscious cab, starring dark fruits, cassis and blueberries, with a hint of smoky oak at the end. Good to the last drop. Was served a 2010 Alexander Valley one of these after the 2005 ran out. Not the slightest bit comparable.
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Very smooth and balanced, med-full bodied, not oaky at all, very well integrated smoke, dark cherry fruit, light spice. Not a knock out like others I've had, but very well made. Should improve for 2 years.
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I agree with those who said it is as good as it's going to get. Rich, smooth and lip smacking. Cassis and mushroom, eucalyptus and brambles. I will drink my 2nd bottle within the year.
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Big fruit but much more subtle than the '08. Lots of blackberry, blue berry, currant and sweet cedar with some earth undertones. Finish is silky smooth. This is probably as good as it's gonna get.
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Tasting of Silver Oak at the winery, nose of red and black cherry fruit, more of the same on the palate, lots of mocha java coffee on the mid palate, medium/big body, developing and tasting quite well today, long finish.
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Tasted At Silver Oak today, A lovely nose of red and black cherry fruit, with lots of currants, more of the same on the palate, medium/big body, developing quite well with age, and a long finish.
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Aromas of sweet plums and blueberries. Drinking very well. Luscious mouth feel. A little dry at the beginning. Long finish. A little earthy in flavor. Really enjoyed with a thick (almost 2 inches) porterhouse. Also drinking well by itself.
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wine was really unimpressive. No real texture and after a quick hit of tannins, vanilla and some fruit, faded very quickly. No depth or complexity at all. truly disappointing. Had virtually same reaction to the two bottles of 2007 i tasted at same time.
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The nose is best part of this wine right now. Reading the other recent tasting notes, I am either not getting it or the bottle I am drinking is in a bit of a dumb period. I can taste the promise of this wine with the fruit and tannins that remain - plan to leave it for a while and come back later. No score.
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Tasted at Silver Oak today, This was the special pour of the day. A lovely nose of dark black cherry fruit, and currants, more of the same on the palate, medium/big body, very tasty, favorable comments from everyone tasting today, at its best, and a medium/long finish.
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dark red, in color. black fruit, currants, blackberry, spice, earth, campfire, soil, pepper, smoke, espresso, on the nose. medium acid, medium tannins, on a soft finish.
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Tasted At Silver Oak today, This was the special pour of the day. A lovely nose of chalk, dark black cherry fruit, and currants, more of the same on the palate, medium/big body, needs three years to peak, smooth, tasty, at its best, and a medium/long finish.
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Opened the wine and bagged it, breathed for 20mins before tasting We knew we were tasting this or a 2009 Spring Mtn cab and we thought this was the 09 Fruit forward, light tannins, medium finish, light to medium body Once we saw that it was Silver Oak we were surprised. Didn't seem like an aged wine, but at second thought, you could tell it was due to the way it opened up and finished. Maybe I expected more? While it was a good bottle and it opened up, and paired beautifully with our prime rib, it was not what I expected and I would not pay $115+ for these bottles in a store or restaurant. Left me thinking Silver Oak is overrated.
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Decanted 1hr, served with home made French onion soup on a cold Saturday night. Great nose of berries and flowers, blackberries, blueberries, vanilla, hints of chocolate, and vanilla, plenty of oak present on the palate. I think someone said bourbon barrel's. And balsamic flavors. Tannins are still present for short term development!
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Poured for Bill and Alex while waiting for Chinese food to take out. Opened very quickly to a lovely nose of mocha java coffee, dark black cherry fruit, and currants, at its peak, more of the same on the palate, big body, and medium/long finish. Drinking great right now-suggest you enjoy one today.
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Having recently tasted this wine at the winery 9/30/13, I coincidentally had the opportunity to taste it again at a dinner party. This time, however, my taste was from a 3-liter bottle which was generously opened by our hosts. Although the bottle format was different, my impressions are essentially the same as those described in my 9/30/13 tasting note. As mentioned, this Napa offering remains true to Silver Oak's style. Drink now-2023.
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Tasted At Silver Oak today, This was the special pour of the day. A lovely nose of mocha java coffee, dark black cherry fruit, and currants, needs three years to peak, more of the same on the palate, medium/big body, and medium/long finish.
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Napa Valley Wine and Food Excursion 2013; 9/30/2013-10/5/2013 (Napa Valley, California): This iteration of Silver Oak's Napa Valley bottling is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot (aged in 100% new American oak). Deep ruby/red in color, it gushes with dark berry fruit, accompanied by aromas and flavors of espresso, licorice, chocolate and dill. Medium-to-full-bodied and round on the palate, it is very easy to drink as a result of its medium-weight sweet tannins, seamless alcohol (13.5%) and silky mouth texture. The wine finishes quite long and smooth. This Napa offering remains true to Silver Oak's style. Drink now-2023.
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It's fine but not worth the investment. You would expect that an $80 bottle would deliver the depth and balance that you can find in other $50 (phelps) bottles. I believe the american oak detracts from this wine. Alexander Valley typically shows better at .6 the price point.
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Tasted At Silver Oak today, This was the special pour of the day. A lovely nose of mocha java coffee, dark black cherry fruit, and currants, needs three years to peak, more of the same on the palate, big body, and medium/long finish.
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Tasted At Silver Oak today, This was the special pour of the day. A lovely nose of mocha java coffee, dark cherry fruit, and currants, more of the same on the palate, medium/big body, and medium/long finish.
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I really wanted this to be a bigger, fuller wine than it was. There's nothing wrong with it, to be sure; it's a fine Napa Cab, I was just wanting something with more layers, more complexity, and frankly, a little more fruit, even given the age. There are several cabs at 1/2 the cost that compare favorably.
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Still disappointing! Clearly a poor attempt at a Bordeaux style blend at just 83% Cabernet but with California level alc. 14%, yet still the Bordeaux price. It is not dark in color, not bursting with fruit, and not rich in taste; it was very simple with no finish. Maybe the grapes are grown too far South in Napa Valley and don't get the same results as, say, Oakville or Rutherford. I'm not sure what the deal is. Silver Oak, Do us all a favor. Please understand what your identity is and make a California Cabernet. I don't know what the hell I was drinking.
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nose of black cherry, cedar and some graphite. very smooth on the entry with firm gripping tannins. lots of smoke, cedar, currant, cherry with some earth and vegetal undertones. this still seems a bit young and needs a little more time to let the flavors meld. will hold for a least 2 more years.
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Off the list at the Tysons Corner Capital Grille, this was much better than the prior bottle of this I had 2 years ago. Decanted and served immediately. This was rich, smooth, and deep. Not a big wine, but refined and elegant. This appealed to the Cab fans at the table but also to those who would have preferred a Pinot Noir - the softness is a real crowd pleaser. Quite nice.
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I've had this bottle in my wine cooler for almost 2 years; it was one of my best bottles, although I've never had it until today. I was expecting to rate this at a score of 93-95, not a chance. In fact I was hesitant to even score it at 88. Overall it was a pretty disappointing experience. It was good, but it wasn't $80-$90/bottle good; I've had much better Cabs at half or quarter the price. Main stream Napa is hit or miss; for the price, this was a big-time miss. Please don't get caught up in the Silver Oak excitement as I was; BIG waste of money. I will never buy another bottle of Silver Oak again.
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Dark in color with some brick, fragrant nose of dark cherries, cigar box and a little menthol. A little lacking on the mouthfeel, with flavors of currant, leather, and quite a bit of oak. Initially a little tart, but came together well with some air time. Medium length on the finish
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Did a brown bag blind tasting comparision with a $2 supermarket cabernet. It was nearly split between the 20 tasters as to which they preferred. I don't know if that speaks toward the unsophisticated palates of my guests, the impressiveness of the $2 cab, or the mundane quality of '05 Silver Oak but it is food for thought.
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It would be unfair to criticize this wine without acknowleding its pedigree, especially as reflected in the strength of the fruit, but I have to say it underwhelmed in the end. Like an insecure date trying too hard, the wine seemed too conscious of itself, too focused on "checking the boxes" of a powerful Napa cab. Dominant dark fruit flavors are clashing with heavy oak. There's heat but no real structure. I shouldn't complain, yet I am not sold.
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This wine, surprisingly, has tame oak flavors compared to its Alexander Valley counterpart as well as other vintages from the same appellation. The palate has a soft, velvety, supple texture with a core of red cherry, licorice, and a hint of vanilla, chocolate, and cardamom on the finish. Great stuff! I've always believed that Silver Oak is better drunk at least five years after the vintage, and this just proved it. Drink from 2011 to 2016.
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In it's sweet spot right now in my opinion. Everything coming into balance, good fruit, tanins softening, winemakers nuances coming through, smooth finish. Good day 1 but outstanding day 2 and day 3.
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Another fine bottle/year for Silver Oak. Berries and oak on the nose, typical velvet mouth feel with a nice long finish. Tannins well controlled and blended at this point.
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Ruby purple in color, mild oak, well-balanced, dark fruit, cherries, vanilla, and leather on the palate, not much tannicity, able to lay down for years to come.
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Lovely nice dry cabernet - grabbed our tongues and made a perfect accompaniment to our dinner of Grilled NY Strips on a lovely Friday evening in Northern VA - mild oak rounding to a leathery after taste on the palette with mild tannins - if you have this wione, I'd drink it soon, not much fruit left in it.
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We drank a magnum of this for my daughters graduation from Pepperdine a couple of weeks ago. I have to say that the Napa is still exceptional unlike the aAexander which for me is a joke for the price they charge for the wine. For the extra money the Napa bottling gets I can only tell you that it is well worth it. After decanting the nose of this wine with the upfront vanilla nose was just incredible. My daughters friends all just wanted to smell the wine and not drink it which was funny. The concentration was excellent and the balance incredible. This is a very good to great bottle of cabernet and I will add more Silveroak Napa to my cellar because it is so unique and a wine everybody will like.
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Cigar box, leather and hidden behind the oak is black currant and dark fruit. It would benefit from less new oak and more acidity. This is a very average wine. There are better bottles for half or even a quarter of the price.
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- Brick color with medium forming legs. It's somewhat balanced with a medium/full body. Round texture with a long finish - Enjoyed with the Burnhams on "drink the bottle" night 2012 at the Woodsman Tavern. True to form it is oaky, smoky and delicious.
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Very good as always. Fruit and vanilla evident and fairly smooth from the very beginning. After an hour or so of decanting, the fruit came to the fore and tannins really smoothed out.
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Served this wine with elk. Decanted for about an hour. Nice tannins, smooth/silky texture compared to its sister from Alexander Valley. Undoutably on a nice path for the future. This will age well. Blackberries, tobacco and a hint of vanilla. Not overly fruity.
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See my note on the 2003 Alexander Valley, which we drank the same night. This 2005 Napa was clearly much superior to the 2003 Alex, but I wouldn't go spend my hard earned money on this one either when there is so much better Bordeaux to be had for the same price. Rich, dark fruit flavors, a bit hot and too much oak, but pleasant nonetheless, still nothing to write home about. Clearly aimed at the masses who have latched on to a name that they can spell with a 6th grade education, the USA Today of wine.
(Added 1/2/12: My husband says that this note was really snarky, which is true. So, to be fair, if you do like Silver Oak, you will really like this wine. And, since it was entirely unexceptionable, I was perfectly happy to drink it at Christmas dinner. I do have to hand it to the marketing guys at Silver Oak - a bright shiny color followed by a three letter word. Genius.)
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Decanted for an hour and drank from a Riedel Vinum XL cabernet glass. Extremely pleasant and opened up nicely. Plenty of dark fruit, a little spice, slight oak and toned down tannins. At this price, I had higher expectations, just did not wow me. Not sure of long term aging potential but I will space out the rest of my bottles to see how it goes.
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Drinking well now and probably for many years to come. Luscious fruit with solid minerality and acidity. Pass on the price tag. There are better options.
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2 hr decant Big nose of plums, blackberries,tobacco and sandalwood. The palate is just as big with sweet blackberries, vanilla and earth. The fruit is fresh enough to handle the oak. Long mocha finish.
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Thursday Walk Around Tasting of California Wines (WineStyles Columbia, SC): Such a pleasure to drink. There is so much going on here. I'm not sure I like all of these flavors and aromas emanating from this glass, but you have to give them credit for making a very distinct, easily recognizable wine. Super dark purple color. Distinct nose of boysenberry, mulberry, American oak, and earth. There is also kind of a graphite mustiness, almost the smell of dirty socks that is quite old world, that we may could do without. The wine seems timeless, or least seems to always have awesome flavors no matter how young or old it is. It is big but still elegant. It is relatively soft in the mouth, while still imparting the notion of power. Surprisingly civilized tannins. An earthy, dusty, but still fruity finish with tobacco, mocha, cola, tar, and graphite that lasted over an hour.
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decanted 3 hours. upon pouring into the decanter, I had high hopes as a big whiff of the decanter was rich with powerful fruit and a solid but not overpowering dose of oak/vanilla. When I came back to pour the first glass 3 hours later, neither powerful fruit nor any significant oak/vanilla were present. Maybe the decant was a mistake, but with a wine so young I never would have expected that. I think of Napa cabs as smooth and deep; this one hits on the deep part but not the smooth part. And the alcohol shone through more than would be ideal. Certainly quite drinkable, even enjoyable, but far from a "classic Napa Cab" for my taste.
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Dinstictively Silver Oak in nose and flavor. Was more impressed with it on the first pour as apposed to the last glass. As the tannins settled the wine lost some of its appeal. Still one of my favorites.
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no decant, very smooth and soft with lots of red fruit and some pepper on the back end. I would not hang on to this much longer but it you like a softer smooth wine with lots of flavor this is excellent.
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Got this bottle from a friend and took to Agora Churrascaria, a Brazilian BBQ restaurant near John Wayne airport; BevMo sells this bottle for $90. We poured this wine into our glasses and let it breathe for about an hour before drinking it while we worked on our other fabulous bottle (2006 Windward Pinot Noir from Paso Robles; a fantastic Burgundian-style Pinot that was the very first tasting note I had written on Cellar Tracker). After breathing for an hour, this Cab had a wonderful bouquet of black fruits (plums especially), spices, earth, and oak. This Cab Sav has a fantastic spiciness, especially black pepper and savory herbs, as well as black fruits like plums, currants, and blackberries. There's also the PERFECT amount of oak, as well as wonderful chalky terrior/earthiness. The tannins are still very firm; this wine will probably continue to age beautifully for another 10 to 30 years (or more?). And at only 13.5% alcohol, this wine was beautifully well-balanced; we are always pleased to come across a Calif Cab Sav that can be fruity and spicy and delicious and have less than 20% alcohol. This wine went extremely well with the assortment of meats; this wine is a perfect red meat wine (any type of steak will pair nicely with this bottle). Our only complaint: price. $90 for a nice Cab Sav isn't outrageous, but you can drink a LOT of fantastic reds for a LOT less money. The Windward Pinot we also took to the restaurant cost us only $28.80 through Windward's wine club. I'd rather drink three bottles of Windward Pinot versus one bottle of this wonderful Cab Sav (figuring monetary concerns into this equation), but maybe that's just me?!?!
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Pop and Poured, let it evolve in the glass over dinner about three hours, held up to the spices and went surprisingly well with Mexican food. Very good wine, well integrated oak and tannins that don't put you off, rich jammy fruit but not like you would need toast with, has that silky pallet coating pleasure that only higher end juice can provide. Had a beautiful bouquet that I could just strap on to my schnoz for hours.
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Wanted to conduct a blind tasting with family of Silver Oak Alexander Valley vs Silver Oak Napa Valley (2005). Decanted both for one hour. Napa nose was more vivid with berries and oak. Very similiar mouth feel but Napa finish was longer and smoother. Over the course of the evening everyone agreed the Napa was better but that both were good wines. Now the question is, is the Napa worth $30 more per bottle ?
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Decanted 2hrs, mmm, lots of currant/cassis, black plum, vanilla and oak is apparent, but balanced, one note call this grotesque, (must never had boones farm) I could see this called many things, but grotesque would not be one of them. Never the less this is a solid napa cab, that could use a year or two of bottle age.
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At dinner with business colleagues. What a mess. Over oaked, dill pickled monstrosity. Nowhere near enough fruit to overcome the poor winemaking. In a word, grotesque.
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Complex flavors with bright red fruit on first offering then developed into mature cassis plum notes. Full, but not over the top, mouth feel that matched well with a prime Rib-Eye. Curious to taste after another 3 years of aging. Potential to drink like a 95+ in a couple of years.
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noticed this wine on day 1.. though enjoyed this wine on day 3.. what more can i say.. a classic napa cab.. balanced (honestly!?!?), smooth, modern, with well integrated oak use .. enjoyable finish of concentrated black current skins and lead pencil shavings.. simple, yet classic... don't wait to many years (3-5)... though with a good decant it is totally enjoyable now.
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Wow Great pour as expected. Dark inky inky purple. Great nose of florals and berries and dried raisans. Sticky in the glass. Jammy in the mouth. Phenom match to the bone in Ribeye. We got smokeyt meats, spices, minerals, cherries and berries, pepper, coffee. Wow. Spectacular.
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Made me fall in love with Napa cabs! I love the tannins & their evolution as this wine opens up. Drink young to fully experience this effect! Also, please pair with Steak!
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London Wine Fair (London): Dark, big and bitter right now. Packed with potential. Big tannins but they feel right in a wine like this - young young young but good structure. Needs time to settle down. Big and bold wine.
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PA Wine Festival - Pittsburgh: Nose of dark fruit and oak. More fruit on the palate including rhubarb, dark cherries and currants. A hint of vanilla and some spice keep this interesting. A lot of oak stirring around, suggest cellaring for 3-4 more years.
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Dark, ripe fruit, rhubarb, wild berries and sawdust. Firm tannins and well balanced, with a long finish. Overall, a nice CA cab. If it wasn't so oakey, I would have given it a few points higher, but the oak was a little too much for my palate.
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Shiny. Medium red to pink rim. A lively nose of currants and blackberry complimented by violets and vanilla. Soft on the palate without being too oaky, this is very drinkable now but should get better with some time in the bottle.
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Young, slightly sugary but still good dark fruits plum and black cherry. Not a firm structure, lacked tannins I would expect in Cali cab this early in it's life. Hold out for another 3-4 years then drink.
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Drank @ Fleming's Steakhouse, which has this wine on a special sale. Although it will probably one day be a blockbuster, right now it is so over-oaked that it was difficult for some of the table to appreciate it. This wine needs to age, age, age, and then decant, decant, decant. I have given no number rating b/c i don't want to skew future ratings once this wine becomes more approachable. Leave it in your cellar for now.
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4/14/2024 - acoma911 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Oaky, still young, well balanced.
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3/3/2024 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 95 Points
Anniversary Dinner at Flemings. Nose of black cherry, mocha, blackberry, cranberry, and roasted Wagyu, same on the palate, big body, very silky, melted milk chocolate texture on the mid palate and finish, delicious tasting Cabernet Sauvignon, at its best so enjoy sooner or during the next 5 years, mouth filling fruit, lovely long, long, flavorful finish and mature delicious aftertaste.
Photo shows sediment coating the bottle from long term/proper storage on its side in my cellar.
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11/23/2023 - Nbkat8 wrote: 94 Points
Still drinking great with some years left to go.
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6/10/2023 - acoma911 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Very matured, well balanced, long finish.
lots of black fruit, oaky, and so on…
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6/1/2023 - t0pshelf Likes this wine:
This one aged beautifully. Otherwise you probably already know what to expect from a Napa Silver Oak and this one delivers.
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4/30/2023 - wineshaman wrote: 93 Points
Decanted with surprisingly no noticeable sediment, last bottle of three, personally cellared since 2008, Lovely nose of blue fruits and graphite like minerals, the palate was nicely balance by dark and blue fruits, hints of cranberry, soft and silky smooth finish. Based on this bottle, should drink well for several more years.
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3/14/2023 - jeff.hart@marriott.com Likes this wine: 95 Points
Perfect time in the bottle - very silky!
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9/24/2022 - stuartwh wrote:
PC Dinner
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8/8/2022 - wine4lux Likes this wine: 91 Points
Opened about an hour before starting to drink- wine kept improving over the next three hours as the last taste was the best. Lively cherry and cassis with the signature Silver Oak vanilla notes.
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6/22/2021 - MC2 Wines wrote:
Back in NYC (Francie): Surprised a bit by this wine. We've bought a few of the old ones, but I think of this as more of a standard Napa Valley wine. It was much more restrained than I expected. Definitely new world and has that fruit, but balanced with good acidity.
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6/20/2021 - VlgJeff wrote: 91 Points
2005 Silver Oak Cabernet Taste-Off: Decanted for about 45 minutes. The color was a medium violet to a faded rim. Mostly red fruits on the nose, with an earthy note. The medium bodied palate showed mostly red fruits, some darker fruits, some earthy notes, and a touch of spice. The acidity was nicely balancing. The standout feature that differentiated this bottle from the 2005 Alexander Valley Cabernet was the noticeably smoother and silkier mouthfeel of this wine. Should hold for several more years, but I doubt that it will improve, so drink up.
This bottle was held under "perfect" conditions since purchase at the winery in 2012. At 15 years old, it is a solidly good, but not WOW, Cabernet.
See the 2005 Alexander Valley Cabernet TN for comparison.
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6/4/2021 - Davidinks wrote:
Gave to Troy Smith with Puroclean for flooded basement remediation
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5/2/2021 - Ralphie1 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Beautiful Napa Cab. Don’t think it will improve, but plenty of life left.
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1/9/2021 - Grenik Likes this wine: 92 Points
I had written these off in 2016 and I am happy to say that they have really improved and come together nicely. The red fruits have integrated nicely with the smoke and cedar notes. Medium + finish.
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1/1/2021 - Kerbie’s Cellar Likes this wine: 94 Points
Wow, bought at winery in 2020 and the 2005 Cab didn’t disappoint.
Huge tasting difference with the time you decant and let breathe.
Gave it a taste immediately upon opening, sharp and tannic. Then waited 1 hour and it had opened up nicely. The magic was it kept opening up over the second hour and got better and better the longer it was breathing. In the end a very smooth taste.
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12/31/2020 - Ralphie1 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Decanted for 2 hours. Amazing!
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12/4/2020 - WoodieBayArea wrote: 91 Points
felt like this is in the third or fourth quarter of its life... I like them older generally, and like them elegant / not BIG... this actually felt like it had lost just a little bit of its power... so drink up... classic Napa cab typicity but just a little flat / weak for what we wanted
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11/24/2020 - JL_Bear Likes this wine: 95 Points
I’ve drunk 6 bottles of this wine this year (it being the 15th year of my 2005 wedding anniversary after all). Each bottle has surprised and delighted me. It’s got that Silver Oak character - hint of floral perfume that stays with you, and allows you to breathe in over the back of your palette and taste it all over again, long after you finish each sip. Just love this wine... still big, still bold, but soft enough to sip and enjoy standalone. I think it’s at its peak right now, so drink up! I have three bottles left to finish by the end of the year!
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9/30/2020 - Vasily Likes this wine: 96 Points
Beautiful, smooth. Elegant fruit not overdone.
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9/7/2020 - Jacobmejer Likes this wine: 98 Points
Fantastic! Close to perfect Cab in my mind and opion.
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8/3/2020 - Jacobmejer Likes this wine: 97 Points
Fantastic! Close to perfect
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7/2/2020 - jnewman77 Likes this wine:
This was really a good bottle. Balanced and delicious. The nose was very Bordeaux like with ripe cassis followed by cedar, herbs, tobacco, and sweet spices. The palate has plenty of power and depth, but remains quite balanced and elegant (for a cab). Super with steaks. In no rush to be drunk
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6/19/2020 - Pjzlotnik Likes this wine: 92 Points
nice nose and abundant fruit
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4/15/2020 - paradise801 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Very nice wine
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12/25/2019 - La Cave d'Argent Likes this wine: 91 Points
From a bottle purchased upon release and pristinely cellared, this wine is clearly in a good place. A deep red/garnet blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot (aged for 25 months in 100% new American oak), it retains its core of dark berry fruit that is augmented with espresso, licorice, chocolate and eucalyptus. Medium-to-full-bodied, low in acidity and with well-woven alcohol (listed as 13.5%), its tannins have largely resolved. Solid in the middle and finishing with good length, this remains true to Silver Oak's style. Well-cellared bottles should reach their 20th birthday. Drink now-2025.
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11/10/2019 - hrazdiiv Likes this wine: 90 Points
Not much to add given there are 300+ tasting notes, suffice to say in broad agreement on the highlights: peak drinking, soft on the tannins, fruit is a touch faded, but overall this is still a very pleasant bottle. Fruit elements included candied walnuts, cassis, and violets, all harmoniously framed with the still-present oak. Definitely drink now.
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8/19/2019 - jfarley3 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Turning burnt red in color, this is ready to drink now. Tannins are mellow but still well integrated with the fruit. Has notes of cassis, plum and a hint of brown spice. Medium to long finish.
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8/12/2019 - korkd wrote: 89 Points
Meh, i was surprised but there was nothing notable here. A little fruit, lots of oak, not a lot of depth.
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8/7/2019 - Pmysliwi Likes this wine: 85 Points
Faint fruit, benefitted from a bit of decanting. Boozy.
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7/7/2019 - woot.winer Likes this wine: 92 Points
We decanted this for 40 minutes while waiting for dinner and even though it started out good, it got better as the night went on. Hints of blackberry and figs, with a hint of leather on the nose. If the whole bottle had tasted like the final sips, it would garner a 94 point rating.
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6/10/2019 - golfhawk Likes this wine: 90 Points
Solid cab with a good backbone. Coravin two glasses and seems to be ready with the tannins softening over time. I would decant for an hour.
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5/31/2019 - Nomadirish Likes this wine: 90 Points
Opened for dinner - not much time needed to air - tastes fantastic.
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1/23/2019 - JJN Likes this wine: 90 Points
Fine but not much to it. I was expecting a lot more depth and character.
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1/18/2019 - Supersyd7 Likes this wine: 88 Points
Good but got thin.
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12/16/2018 - cr8it wrote: 87 Points
Tight, after about three hours it opened and the familiar berry and smooth finish of this wine returned.
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11/25/2018 - ascharff wrote: 95 Points
Absolutely delicious. Soft tannins, velvety with a nice long finish.
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11/16/2018 - Cgrant1029 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Good, after its peak, probably not getting better from here.
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11/14/2018 - Pjzlotnik Likes this wine: 90 Points
good fruit with some tannins. probably good for another year or 2
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9/3/2018 - Cabernet Couple Likes this wine: 91 Points
Finally decided to break this open over Labor Day weekend 2018 with some 2”+ grilled filets after purchasing on a visit to Silver Oak back in 2013. Only about an hour decant and very little sediment was visible. Tannins have softened significantly, very smooth. The signature Silver Oak, American oak toasted vanilla, was present but nuanced, not overpowering as it can be on some of their younger wines.
The fruit had definitely balanced out as it was not bright but rather drank like a more mature aged cabernet would, soft with some depth but limited fruit. Almost wonder if it may be slightly past its prime in that regard but very balanced and smooth with a bit of cedar undertones. Drank better on the second day but excellent on both! Almost wish we had this a bit sooner to enjoy a bit brighter fruit but no doubt an awesome wine.
Would recommend drinking anytime now and a good reminder to just buy a case in the future to sample through its aging curve and find the perfect time to enjoy! At least that’s how we rationalize it!
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8/10/2018 - JJB007 Likes this wine: 95 Points
perfect for drinking now
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8/3/2018 - Jacobmejer Likes this wine: 98 Points
Super, super good. Great depth. Strong berry notes. A close to perfect cabernet sauvignon.
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6/8/2018 - yasha wrote: 92 Points
It was very good ,but expected a lot more from Silver oak. or was over the hill or just me.
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4/22/2018 - Grenik Likes this wine: 91 Points
Wine is aging nicely and developing some secondary flavors of pine forest. Red fruit dominates, but the tannins have integrated nicely. A little fat on the middle and finish.
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3/15/2018 - JS199 wrote: 90 Points
Grenik nailed it.
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2/17/2018 - PMJak11 Likes this wine: 94 Points
30 minute decant was perfect, thanks Steve G!! Classic Silver Oak nose! Barnyard and flowers, love it! Best part of this wine! Very complex wine but lacked structure and not as powerful as I remember. Definitely a different style Napa Cab than what is being made today. Finish could be longer, but definitely an upper echelon brand, at least back then. Don't wait much longer to consume.
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2/9/2018 - FGS Likes this wine: 92 Points
Rating this one a bit higher than the last, mostly due to the fact that we drank over two hours, so the wine had more time to show. Great nose, with all the classic SO traits; oak, vanilla, blueberry and cherry. Smooth and lush on the palate. Bright flavors of dark berries and a touch of chocolate. Absolutely wonderful right now. Our last bottle, but will try to find more.
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2/4/2018 - SumCellar wrote: 93 Points
A special cab for Super Bowl Sunday. It did not disappoint. The fruit is still robust, but tannins have smoothed, to produce a wine that beautiful at this time.
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8/24/2017 - wineman73 wrote: 91 Points
Decanted for 2 hours . A black red color with good viscosity. The nose presents scents of cola, olive, blackberry, black currants, and vanilla. The taste provided medium mouth feel, average acidity, and medium tannins. The flavors on the palate were blackberry, cherry cola, and vanilla. This wine is best with salty and fatty food. Still had very good life, which I suspect at least 10 more years. Score 91
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7/16/2017 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 93 Points
Nose of black cherry, black berry and boysenberry, same on the palate, big body, showing very well today, suggest you try it and see what you think, very tasty with BBQ Spare Ribs, lots of fruit, touch of mocha, almost elegant today, close to its best and easily last another 12 years, long, long finish and wonderful aftertaste.
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5/1/2017 - ArtF wrote: 88 Points
Compared to '06 this has more fruit and is easier to drink. Improves with 30+ minutes decant. Even better week later corked and stored in fridge.
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4/1/2017 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 93 Points
Nose of black cherry, mocha, blackberry, and cranberry, same on the palate, big body, delicious tasting Cabernet Sauvignon, almost at its peak, maybe another year or two, mouth filling fruit, touch of soft tannin on the long, long, flavorful finish.
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12/25/2016 - xinco Likes this wine: 88 Points
I don't understand the fuss about this wine and how it gets such high ratings. I got a gift pack of 2002-2007, and none of them have been more enjoyable than a decent $15 cab. Maybe Napa cabs just aren't my thing.
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12/24/2016 - bobv wrote: 94 Points
This was a fantastic Cabernet. Initially I was surprised with its subtly soft tannin, but was very pleased with its smoothness, clarity
and pure flavor. It's aging has yielded a very elegant red, headed toward Bordeaux likeness. This is a really superb wine.
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12/23/2016 - brasstab Likes this wine: 92 Points
So we made this buzzfeed roast and it was stellar (https://www.buzzfeed.com/alvinzhou/prime-rib-with-garlic-herb-butter?utm_term=.onAAjJ1jjx#.cxWKr7vrrp), then paired it with this beauty. I've never been a massive Silver Oak fan, but I have to say it made a strong showing. Not quite as strong as the 2004 we poured it next to, but still, I loved the backbone and cedar and subtle fruit on this one. Oh, and cassis. I'm supposed to say cassis.
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12/20/2016 - Grenik Likes this wine: 90 Points
Ruby red. Sweet nose and bright palate. Red fruit. A lot of vanilla. Oaky smoothness. Good California styled wine with some depth and balance.
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11/23/2016 - jschnabel wrote: 92 Points
Strawberries and grass is on the nose. The tannins have greatly relaxed and this quaffs nicely next to a steak. The palette is initially greeted with perfume of strawberries and plum which gives way to an herbaceous finish. Well crafted and sip, it will go quickly.
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11/19/2016 - curtr Likes this wine: 91 Points
In the drinking window, nice depth, needs food.
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11/7/2016 - Livermore Dan Likes this wine: 94 Points
Shared with friends and this wine was opulent and very tasty.
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10/31/2016 - clmtgr wrote: 94 Points
Opened my last one from the cellar and knew this was going to be a special treat. Wonderful bouquet, chocolate, cherry, and perfectly oaked. Just wanted to hold it in my mouth and savor...but when I paired it with steak it was so heavenly I drank my first glass entirely within 5 minutes of sitting down for dinner...was ready to drink so glad we opened, was worth the 11 year wait.
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10/22/2016 - Grenik Likes this wine: 89 Points
Big and bold style that is has tempered with age. It has gained some in complexity, but also lost a bit too much focus and precision. There is still good red fruit, vanilla, cola, and oaky smoothness. The tannins are still chunky, but the edges are smooth and rounded. Nice nose and a graceful attack on the palate, but then it was muddled with dark fruit, toasty wood, sweet sandlewood and it felt very disjointed for a wine of this age. I think the best days are behind it and it is time to drink these up.
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10/12/2016 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 93 Points
Nose of black cherry, black currants, touch of briar and mocha, the same on the palate, big body, lots of fruit on the mid palate, really showing well, will improve the next 2 years, almost brooding but flavorful this morning, and a long, long finish.
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8/27/2016 - Jonny d Likes this wine: 90 Points
Alcohol fumes right out of the bottle settled down over an hour or so into vanilla/oak, chocolate, and some savory notes. Beautiful color in glass- reddish-purple fading to orange at edges. Dark berries on the front-end. More acid on the mid-palate than I would have expected at this point. Tannins fairly well integrated. Medium-length finish that begins with some unpleasant bitter notes. Much better with the nicely grilled sirloin than on its own. Would not hold longer.
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8/21/2016 - hvaleiras Likes this wine: 94 Points
Decanted 1 hour. First tasted after 15 minutes and was still tight. Opened up wonderfully, black cherry, chocolate and hints of tobacco. Long smooth finish. Perfect to drink now
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8/13/2016 - Vineyard68 Likes this wine: 99 Points
This wine is drinking beautifully now. Spice, tobacco, leather & smoke that opens up in the glass with time. We enjoyed with a steak. Perfect for food or just sipping.
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5/21/2016 - happy712 Likes this wine: 95 Points
perfect time to drink. drink now!
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5/21/2016 - FGS Likes this wine: 91 Points
Opened and gave a hard decant. Initial nose in decanter was oak. Tons of oak. Go figure! Plush fruit of plumbs, berry and cherries on the nose, with nicely balanced fruit, tannin and acidity throughout the palate. Improved with time in the glass - again, go figure. This is a wine to drink and savor over dinner, or sip in conversation with friends or simply enjoy during quiet contemplation. Drinking well, and if cellared well, should hold up over time. Drink and enjoy!
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2/1/2016 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 92 Points
Nose of black cherry fruit, plum, and currants, more of the same on the palate, mouth filling, delicious, at its peak, medium/big body, lovely to savor over dinner, long finish.
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1/29/2016 - JuliannaD Likes this wine: 92 Points
This is definitely in its drinking window. I get lots of red fruit, earthiness, and pencil lead. Great with food and great on its own after dinner.
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12/30/2015 - Yima's Cellar Likes this wine: 92 Points
Shared with family. All agreed - fabulous!
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12/18/2015 - km5 wrote:
Very smooth, earthy sand stones... More to come
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12/12/2015 - bacchus wrote: 91 Points
this bottle was shared by mario and aurora (probably from vinny's cellar) on the occasion of their first visit to ellen and louis's home on bloomingdale road. we had arrived late to dinner so the bottle had already been open for an hour. it showed very well. generous aroma. velvet in the mouth. all components well integrated. nice cabernet typicity.
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11/6/2015 - AbbeyLnWines wrote:
Very smooth. Nice and nosey! Delicious.
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10/15/2015 - Thumper88 wrote: flawed
They challenge was the sommelier agreed that it was acidic and flat at the end then she wanted us to wait and try with food. Unbelievable!!!
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9/20/2015 - Baron Slick wrote: 93 Points
A tremendous effort here. The cherry, forest floor, and dark chocolate bouquet is infused with pencil shavings, smoke, and Big Red gum. This is impeccably structured on the palate, showing considerable depth, and an earthy element that lifts gradually unfolding notes of cassis, figs, and raw Peruvian black olives. Tethered by balance, richness, and substance, the wine closes with a long crushed rock finish. Decanting for two hours pays off; it was singing at the 3 1/2 hour mark.
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9/3/2015 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 93 Points
Nose of mocha chocolate, pencil lead, black cherry fruit, and currants, more of the same on the palate, medium/big body, delicious tasting with Italian meat pizza, near to it's peak, decant for one hour, with a long, lingering finish.
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8/7/2015 - Matt D Likes this wine: 92 Points
Fared surprisingly well when tasted blind against two '05 Bordeaux. Black currant, blueberry and some prune on the nose as well as hints of spice or pepper. Tannic, yet balanced with 40 sec smooth finish. Drinking now through 2025.
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7/28/2015 - mflesh Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very nice wine tonight. I believe this wine has reached maturity, but it really only did so after about 2 hours of decanting. By the time it got there, about 80 percent of the bottle was gone. Wine was uncorked and poured a dark red color into the glass. A little bricked on the edge and I expected this at 10 yrs post vintage. The nose was fig and some slightly aged blackberry with some kind of minty note. Some herbaceousness was there as well. The wine entered soft on the palate. At first, the palate imitated what the nose was producing, medium+ body. Middle and finish were blackberry, fig, aged saddle leather, green pepper, and finished with pepper and grit. Softened again around 2 hours and was giving good berry notes without as much herbaceousness. I think this one will continue to become more vegetal as it ages. I don't think it will improve any MORE in the bottle, but I think it will continue to drink well through 2020.
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5/13/2015 - Lakewine23 Likes this wine: 92 Points
21st anniversary of meeting Amy
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4/11/2015 - willthethrill wrote: 91 Points
Nice, but not my favorite year...needs to open to get balanced.
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4/5/2015 - cojunbali Likes this wine: 92 Points
Consistent with my tasting notes from two years ago. The nose and palate are consistant with some more tertiary flavored developing. The herb, olive and green pepper are coming through with more harmonious mouth feel. Still needs two hours of air to fully open. At or near peak but should drink well for another 10 years. Paired wonderfully with herb crusted roast beef.
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3/29/2015 - alabunka wrote: 93 Points
Soft tannins; excellent taste with well balanced fruit and little acidity; 13.5% Alc - does not overpower and an excellent companion to sirloin and filet mignon - our last bottle of the 2005 - the Napa valley vs Alexander Valley makes a difference - this was a sublime evening of exemplary perfection. Will be seeking more Silver Oaks as appropriate down the road - reafirms why cabernet sauvignon is king...(BTW - the cork crumbled - but extracted and decanted W/O any problems.)
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2/20/2015 - dontime wrote:
Tastes good to me. Smooth, fruity without becoming a bomb, secondary flavors of herbs and leather. Long finish. In a nice place. If scoring, 91-93.
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2/7/2015 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 94 Points
2015 Silver Oak Release Party at the winery, nose of black cherry fruit, earth, and currants, more of the same on the palate, this wine has aged beautifully, mouth filling, delicious, at its peak, medium/big body, lovely, long, long, long flavorful finish. Tasted three times today, similar results.
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1/21/2015 - monk1019 wrote: 90 Points
Opened and served immediately beside a steak and potato dinner. A sinewy and luscious cab, starring dark fruits, cassis and blueberries, with a hint of smoky oak at the end. Good to the last drop. Was served a 2010 Alexander Valley one of these after the 2005 ran out. Not the slightest bit comparable.
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1/11/2015 - JJB007 Likes this wine: 90 Points
consumed with Darby
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12/19/2014 - socalwinenerd wrote: flawed
Corked. Ugh.
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11/29/2014 - Stavvy Likes this wine: 91 Points
Still a little young out of the bottle - opened up nicely with some aeration.
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11/20/2014 - ssspore Likes this wine: 91 Points
I didn't like this at first but after about an hour started opening up and became much better.
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10/30/2014 - curtr Likes this wine: 91 Points
Early on the drinking plateau. Try again in 2016.
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10/5/2014 - dino_mike Likes this wine: 91 Points
Very smooth and balanced, med-full bodied, not oaky at all, very well integrated smoke, dark cherry fruit, light spice. Not a knock out like others I've had, but very well made. Should improve for 2 years.
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10/4/2014 - Fire Bill wrote: 94 Points
For a 9 year old wine, this still drinks youthful. It really opened up nicely after about 3 hours in the decanter.
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7/20/2014 - monk1019 wrote: 91 Points
I agree with those who said it is as good as it's going to get. Rich, smooth and lip smacking. Cassis and mushroom, eucalyptus and brambles. I will drink my 2nd bottle within the year.
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6/17/2014 - cmueller Likes this wine: 92 Points
About as good as it's going to be. A little thin and not as bold as other vintages but the finish is super smooth.
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5/22/2014 - christanna Likes this wine: 92 Points
Big fruit but much more subtle than the '08. Lots of blackberry, blue berry, currant and sweet cedar with some earth undertones. Finish is silky smooth. This is probably as good as it's gonna get.
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4/26/2014 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 94 Points
Tasting of Silver Oak at the winery, nose of red and black cherry fruit, more of the same on the palate, lots of mocha java coffee on the mid palate, medium/big body, developing and tasting quite well today, long finish.
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4/18/2014 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 92 Points
Tasted At Silver Oak today, A lovely nose of red and black cherry fruit, with lots of currants, more of the same on the palate, medium/big body, developing quite well with age, and a long finish.
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3/16/2014 - RobertB321 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Aromas of sweet plums and blueberries. Drinking very well. Luscious mouth feel. A little dry at the beginning. Long finish. A little earthy in flavor. Really enjoyed with a thick (almost 2 inches) porterhouse. Also drinking well by itself.
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3/5/2014 - Ajnate wrote:
wine was really unimpressive. No real texture and after a quick hit of tannins, vanilla and some fruit, faded very quickly. No depth or complexity at all. truly disappointing. Had virtually same reaction to the two bottles of 2007 i tasted at same time.
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2/16/2014 - geneyus wrote:
- Fast forming legs.
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1/29/2014 - kuwayen Likes this wine: 91 Points
Drinking wonderfully. Decanted for 1 hour. Even tannins, but nice structure. Fruit and oak are well balanced
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1/23/2014 - Grenik Likes this wine: 91 Points
Integrating nicely. Red fruit profile. Developing some secondary flavors of spice, cedar, tobacco. Medium finish.
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1/19/2014 - roybivens wrote:
The nose is best part of this wine right now. Reading the other recent tasting notes, I am either not getting it or the bottle I am drinking is in a bit of a dumb period. I can taste the promise of this wine with the fruit and tannins that remain - plan to leave it for a while and come back later. No score.
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1/17/2014 - BigRedKT wrote: 93 Points
This wine is drinking well right now. The tannin has really mellowed nicely.
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1/4/2014 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 92 Points
Tasted at Silver Oak today, This was the special pour of the day. A lovely nose of dark black cherry fruit, and currants, more of the same on the palate, medium/big body, very tasty, favorable comments from everyone tasting today, at its best, and a medium/long finish.
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12/29/2013 - 1H2oMan wrote: 94 Points
Had for my birthday with a ribeye steak, it was great
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12/27/2013 - affordableCollector wrote: 92 Points
dark red, in color. black fruit, currants, blackberry, spice, earth, campfire, soil, pepper, smoke, espresso, on the nose. medium acid, medium tannins, on a soft finish.
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12/27/2013 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 93 Points
Tasted At Silver Oak today, This was the special pour of the day. A lovely nose of chalk, dark black cherry fruit, and currants, more of the same on the palate, medium/big body, needs three years to peak, smooth, tasty, at its best, and a medium/long finish.
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12/23/2013 - rkosd Likes this wine: 90 Points
Opened the wine and bagged it, breathed for 20mins before tasting
We knew we were tasting this or a 2009 Spring Mtn cab and we thought this was the 09
Fruit forward, light tannins, medium finish, light to medium body
Once we saw that it was Silver Oak we were surprised. Didn't seem like an aged wine, but at second thought, you could tell it was due to the way it opened up and finished. Maybe I expected more? While it was a good bottle and it opened up, and paired beautifully with our prime rib, it was not what I expected and I would not pay $115+ for these bottles in a store or restaurant. Left me thinking Silver Oak is overrated.
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12/7/2013 - wineshaman wrote: 91 Points
Decanted 1hr, served with home made French onion soup on a cold Saturday night. Great nose of berries and flowers, blackberries, blueberries, vanilla, hints of chocolate, and vanilla, plenty of oak present on the palate. I think someone said bourbon barrel's. And balsamic flavors. Tannins are still present for short term development!
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11/15/2013 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 90 Points
Poured for Bill and Alex while waiting for Chinese food to take out. Opened very quickly to a lovely nose of mocha java coffee, dark black cherry fruit, and currants, at its peak, more of the same on the palate, big body, and medium/long finish. Drinking great right now-suggest you enjoy one today.
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11/2/2013 - BigTex22 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drank at wine party. Good, not great. Traditional Silver Oak with vanilla oaky flavor. Easy drinker but not overly complex. GOOD.
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10/12/2013 - La Cave d'Argent Likes this wine: 90 Points
Having recently tasted this wine at the winery 9/30/13, I coincidentally had the opportunity to taste it again at a dinner party. This time, however, my taste was from a 3-liter bottle which was generously opened by our hosts. Although the bottle format was different, my impressions are essentially the same as those described in my 9/30/13 tasting note. As mentioned, this Napa offering remains true to Silver Oak's style. Drink now-2023.
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10/2/2013 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 93 Points
Tasted At Silver Oak today, This was the special pour of the day. A lovely nose of mocha java coffee, dark black cherry fruit, and currants, needs three years to peak, more of the same on the palate, medium/big body, and medium/long finish.
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9/30/2013 - La Cave d'Argent Likes this wine: 90 Points
Napa Valley Wine and Food Excursion 2013; 9/30/2013-10/5/2013 (Napa Valley, California): This iteration of Silver Oak's Napa Valley bottling is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot (aged in 100% new American oak). Deep ruby/red in color, it gushes with dark berry fruit, accompanied by aromas and flavors of espresso, licorice, chocolate and dill. Medium-to-full-bodied and round on the palate, it is very easy to drink as a result of its medium-weight sweet tannins, seamless alcohol (13.5%) and silky mouth texture. The wine finishes quite long and smooth. This Napa offering remains true to Silver Oak's style. Drink now-2023.
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9/21/2013 - Cullens wrote: 89 Points
It's fine but not worth the investment. You would expect that an $80 bottle would deliver the depth and balance that you can find in other $50 (phelps) bottles. I believe the american oak detracts from this wine. Alexander Valley typically shows better at .6 the price point.
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9/18/2013 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 93 Points
Tasted At Silver Oak today, This was the special pour of the day. A lovely nose of mocha java coffee, dark black cherry fruit, and currants, needs three years to peak, more of the same on the palate, big body, and medium/long finish.
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9/7/2013 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 94 Points
Tasted At Silver Oak today, This was the special pour of the day. A lovely nose of mocha java coffee, dark cherry fruit, and currants, more of the same on the palate, medium/big body, and medium/long finish.
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8/10/2013 - twoamps Likes this wine: 90 Points
I really wanted this to be a bigger, fuller wine than it was. There's nothing wrong with it, to be sure; it's a fine Napa Cab, I was just wanting something with more layers, more complexity, and frankly, a little more fruit, even given the age. There are several cabs at 1/2 the cost that compare favorably.
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7/18/2013 - Red Wine Johnny wrote: 85 Points
Still disappointing! Clearly a poor attempt at a Bordeaux style blend at just 83% Cabernet but with California level alc. 14%, yet still the Bordeaux price.
It is not dark in color, not bursting with fruit, and not rich in taste; it was very simple with no finish. Maybe the grapes are grown too far South in Napa Valley and don't get the same results as, say, Oakville or Rutherford. I'm not sure what the deal is.
Silver Oak,
Do us all a favor. Please understand what your identity is and make a California Cabernet. I don't know what the hell I was drinking.
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6/16/2013 - cojunbali Likes this wine: 92 Points
nose of black cherry, cedar and some graphite. very smooth on the entry with firm gripping tannins. lots of smoke, cedar, currant, cherry with some earth and vegetal undertones. this still seems a bit young and needs a little more time to let the flavors meld. will hold for a least 2 more years.
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5/31/2013 - wpattison wrote: 81 Points
Read RJonWine's review, nails it. Not my cup of tea.
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5/23/2013 - grayfont Likes this wine: 92 Points
Off the list at the Tysons Corner Capital Grille, this was much better than the prior bottle of this I had 2 years ago. Decanted and served immediately. This was rich, smooth, and deep. Not a big wine, but refined and elegant. This appealed to the Cab fans at the table but also to those who would have preferred a Pinot Noir - the softness is a real crowd pleaser. Quite nice.
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3/16/2013 - Red Wine Johnny Likes this wine: 88 Points
I've had this bottle in my wine cooler for almost 2 years; it was one of my best bottles, although I've never had it until today. I was expecting to rate this at a score of 93-95, not a chance. In fact I was hesitant to even score it at 88. Overall it was a pretty disappointing experience. It was good, but it wasn't $80-$90/bottle good; I've had much better Cabs at half or quarter the price. Main stream Napa is hit or miss; for the price, this was a big-time miss. Please don't get caught up in the Silver Oak excitement as I was; BIG waste of money. I will never buy another bottle of Silver Oak again.
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2/19/2013 - Arthur4wine Likes this wine: 92 Points
Just an amazing wine. Served with grilled steak and my guest went nuts over the wine.
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12/28/2012 - Jim B wrote: 84 Points
Two bad S.O. is four days. This was very thin, no body or structure. Same as 03 Napa we had.
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12/26/2012 - 1964vintage wrote: 93 Points
Outstanding and in it's prime. Consistent with previous bottles. Scrumptious from nose to finish.
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12/19/2012 - Fire Bill wrote: 90 Points
Dark in color with some brick, fragrant nose of dark cherries, cigar box and a little menthol. A little lacking on the mouthfeel, with flavors of currant, leather, and quite a bit of oak. Initially a little tart, but came together well with some air time. Medium length on the finish
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12/2/2012 - socalwinenerd wrote: 86 Points
Did a brown bag blind tasting comparision with a $2 supermarket cabernet. It was nearly split between the 20 tasters as to which they preferred. I don't know if that speaks toward the unsophisticated palates of my guests, the impressiveness of the $2 cab, or the mundane quality of '05 Silver Oak but it is food for thought.
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11/30/2012 - JonnyG wrote: 90 Points
It would be unfair to criticize this wine without acknowleding its pedigree, especially as reflected in the strength of the fruit, but I have to say it underwhelmed in the end. Like an insecure date trying too hard, the wine seemed too conscious of itself, too focused on "checking the boxes" of a powerful Napa cab. Dominant dark fruit flavors are clashing with heavy oak. There's heat but no real structure. I shouldn't complain, yet I am not sold.
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11/15/2012 - ecola Likes this wine: 92 Points
Starting to show some earthy characteristics. Dark cherry, cassis, ans toasted oak on the medium to full body. Smooth mouthfeel. Moderate tannins.
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11/2/2012 - Life At Your Leisure 🍷 wrote: 92 Points
This wine, surprisingly, has tame oak flavors compared to its Alexander Valley counterpart as well as other vintages from the same appellation. The palate has a soft, velvety, supple texture with a core of red cherry, licorice, and a hint of vanilla, chocolate, and cardamom on the finish. Great stuff! I've always believed that Silver Oak is better drunk at least five years after the vintage, and this just proved it. Drink from 2011 to 2016.
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10/25/2012 - 1964vintage wrote: 93 Points
In it's sweet spot right now in my opinion. Everything coming into balance, good fruit, tanins softening, winemakers nuances coming through, smooth finish. Good day 1 but outstanding day 2 and day 3.
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10/11/2012 - Switzdiggity wrote: 95 Points
Amazing.
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10/9/2012 - GaryHOhio wrote: 90 Points
Another fine bottle/year for Silver Oak. Berries and oak on the nose, typical velvet mouth feel with a nice long finish. Tannins well controlled and blended at this point.
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8/31/2012 - Higreen wrote: 89 Points
Same basic description as markbona on 6/8/12, except we were in Hawaii.
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8/30/2012 - pdellacroce wrote: 90 Points
Huge nose, velvet on the palette with hints of currant, charcoal, & plum with fantastic smooth finish.
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7/8/2012 - vintagedds wrote: 90 Points
Ruby purple in color, mild oak, well-balanced, dark fruit, cherries, vanilla, and leather on the palate, not much tannicity, able to lay down for years to come.
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6/27/2012 - jperez68 wrote: 93 Points
as always silver oak stands out above rest.
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6/19/2012 - ADiamond Likes this wine: 92 Points
Outstanding, incredibly smooth, dark almost purple. Great nose. Long legs, spectacular. Tasted the same vintage from Alexander. This was far superior.
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6/8/2012 - markbona wrote: 87 Points
Lovely nice dry cabernet - grabbed our tongues and made a perfect accompaniment to our dinner of Grilled NY Strips on a lovely Friday evening in Northern VA - mild oak rounding to a leathery after taste on the palette with mild tannins - if you have this wione, I'd drink it soon, not much fruit left in it.
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6/3/2012 - KeithSurg wrote: 93 Points
Nicely integrated, smooth mouthfeel. Medium-bodied.
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5/30/2012 - WineGuyDelMar Likes this wine: 92 Points
We drank a magnum of this for my daughters graduation from Pepperdine a couple of weeks ago. I have to say that the Napa is still exceptional unlike the aAexander which for me is a joke for the price they charge for the wine. For the extra money the Napa bottling gets I can only tell you that it is well worth it. After decanting the nose of this wine with the upfront vanilla nose was just incredible. My daughters friends all just wanted to smell the wine and not drink it which was funny. The concentration was excellent and the balance incredible. This is a very good to great bottle of cabernet and I will add more Silveroak Napa to my cellar because it is so unique and a wine everybody will like.
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5/20/2012 - Porchino wrote: 94 Points
Outstanding silver oak snobs get lost
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5/19/2012 - Martinjbrand wrote: 93 Points
baloanced - not as heavy as many california cabs
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4/20/2012 - JRC wrote: 90 Points
Needs at least 1-2 hours to open up.
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4/6/2012 - Wine Gopher wrote: 79 Points
Cigar box, leather and hidden behind the oak is black currant and dark fruit. It would benefit from less new oak and more acidity. This is a very average wine. There are better bottles for half or even a quarter of the price.
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4/6/2012 - absolutvodka wrote: 95 Points
Outstanding. Say what you want about SO, they make delicious wine!
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4/1/2012 - Dnjhansen wrote: 91 Points
Bright cherry, cedar, cocoa...still has chewy tannins, still needs more time. Biggest issue was acidity during the finish
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2/26/2012 - "H" wrote:
- Brick color with medium forming legs. It's somewhat balanced with a medium/full body. Round texture with a long finish - Enjoyed with the Burnhams on "drink the bottle" night 2012 at the Woodsman Tavern. True to form it is oaky, smoky and delicious.
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2/22/2012 - clarktoews wrote: 92 Points
absolutely great wine. classic cally cab. deep dark and well rounded. lots of life in this bottle but very approachable now.
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2/20/2012 - jasonjun wrote: 92 Points
Very good as always. Fruit and vanilla evident and fairly smooth from the very beginning. After an hour or so of decanting, the fruit came to the fore and tannins really smoothed out.
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1/29/2012 - AllRed wrote: 90 Points
Deep garnet color with notes of dark fruit, herbs and cherries. Nice balance; flavors of dark fruit, caramel and vanilla.
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1/22/2012 - raddude10 wrote: 92 Points
Excellent heavy tannins. Could hold well for a few years, but still a great drink now.
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1/21/2012 - vinodonpedro wrote: 93 Points
Served this wine with elk. Decanted for about an hour. Nice tannins, smooth/silky texture compared to its sister from Alexander Valley. Undoutably on a nice path for the future. This will age well. Blackberries, tobacco and a hint of vanilla. Not overly fruity.
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1/4/2012 - Cragles wrote: 92 Points
W Lisa and Todd, 1-3-2012. Yummily complex, smooth. Tbf food complemented well.
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12/29/2011 - km5 wrote:
tasted a lot of wood and not much depth. didn't get a chance to taste much...but it probably needed some time.
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12/28/2011 - acidqueen wrote: 86 Points
See my note on the 2003 Alexander Valley, which we drank the same night. This 2005 Napa was clearly much superior to the 2003 Alex, but I wouldn't go spend my hard earned money on this one either when there is so much better Bordeaux to be had for the same price. Rich, dark fruit flavors, a bit hot and too much oak, but pleasant nonetheless, still nothing to write home about. Clearly aimed at the masses who have latched on to a name that they can spell with a 6th grade education, the USA Today of wine.
(Added 1/2/12: My husband says that this note was really snarky, which is true. So, to be fair, if you do like Silver Oak, you will really like this wine. And, since it was entirely unexceptionable, I was perfectly happy to drink it at Christmas dinner. I do have to hand it to the marketing guys at Silver Oak - a bright shiny color followed by a three letter word. Genius.)
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12/26/2011 - Nicktm24 wrote: 88 Points
Should have decanted. It's a good wine, but for a Cali cab... Didn't pack that punch you can get in other/cheaper bottles out there.
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12/24/2011 - diane.forgy@dianeforgy.com wrote: 89 Points
Decanted for an hour and drank from a Riedel Vinum XL cabernet glass. Extremely pleasant and opened up nicely. Plenty of dark fruit, a little spice, slight oak and toned down tannins. At this price, I had higher expectations, just did not wow me. Not sure of long term aging potential but I will space out the rest of my bottles to see how it goes.
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12/6/2011 - shahidhussain wrote:
Grapy
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11/16/2011 - MaggsFamily wrote: 90 Points
Earthy, not overly fruity. Medium tannins. Should have decanted but still very good.
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11/14/2011 - ecola Likes this wine: 90 Points
Drinking well now and probably for many years to come. Luscious fruit with solid minerality and acidity. Pass on the price tag. There are better options.
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9/6/2011 - kuwayen wrote: 89 Points
Still young and tannic. Needs more time to round out flavors.
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9/5/2011 - bobpsi wrote: 92 Points
2 hr decant Big nose of plums, blackberries,tobacco and sandalwood. The palate is just as big with sweet blackberries, vanilla and earth. The fruit is fresh enough to handle the oak. Long mocha finish.
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8/25/2011 - Mike Kopanski wrote: 92 Points
Thursday Walk Around Tasting of California Wines (WineStyles Columbia, SC): Such a pleasure to drink. There is so much going on here. I'm not sure I like all of these flavors and aromas emanating from this glass, but you have to give them credit for making a very distinct, easily recognizable wine. Super dark purple color. Distinct nose of boysenberry, mulberry, American oak, and earth. There is also kind of a graphite mustiness, almost the smell of dirty socks that is quite old world, that we may could do without. The wine seems timeless, or least seems to always have awesome flavors no matter how young or old it is. It is big but still elegant. It is relatively soft in the mouth, while still imparting the notion of power. Surprisingly civilized tannins. An earthy, dusty, but still fruity finish with tobacco, mocha, cola, tar, and graphite that lasted over an hour.
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8/10/2011 - kuwayen wrote: 90 Points
Deep ruby. Cassis and tobacco flavors. Still tight.
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7/30/2011 - grayfont wrote: 88 Points
decanted 3 hours. upon pouring into the decanter, I had high hopes as a big whiff of the decanter was rich with powerful fruit and a solid but not overpowering dose of oak/vanilla. When I came back to pour the first glass 3 hours later, neither powerful fruit nor any significant oak/vanilla were present. Maybe the decant was a mistake, but with a wine so young I never would have expected that. I think of Napa cabs as smooth and deep; this one hits on the deep part but not the smooth part. And the alcohol shone through more than would be ideal. Certainly quite drinkable, even enjoyable, but far from a "classic Napa Cab" for my taste.
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7/17/2011 - buckeye76 wrote: 90 Points
BLACKBERRIES, CURRANTS, AND HERBS IN THE NOSE WITH BLACK CHERRIES AND A HINT OF CHOCOLATE IN THE FLAVOR.
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7/2/2011 - Matteo's wrote: 91 Points
Dinstictively Silver Oak in nose and flavor. Was more impressed with it on the first pour as apposed to the last glass. As the tannins settled the wine lost some of its appeal. Still one of my favorites.
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6/10/2011 - paulrc56 wrote: 92 Points
no decant, very smooth and soft with lots of red fruit and some pepper on the back end. I would not hang on to this much longer but it you like a softer smooth wine with lots of flavor this is excellent.
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5/14/2011 - marlons34 wrote: 92 Points
Wonderful nose. Spicy and complex taste. Wine tasted a bit light, not as bold as I expected. Good finish.
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5/2/2011 - DaveZack wrote: 91 Points
Got this bottle from a friend and took to Agora Churrascaria, a Brazilian BBQ restaurant near John Wayne airport; BevMo sells this bottle for $90.
We poured this wine into our glasses and let it breathe for about an hour before drinking it while we worked on our other fabulous bottle (2006 Windward Pinot Noir from Paso Robles; a fantastic Burgundian-style Pinot that was the very first tasting note I had written on Cellar Tracker).
After breathing for an hour, this Cab had a wonderful bouquet of black fruits (plums especially), spices, earth, and oak.
This Cab Sav has a fantastic spiciness, especially black pepper and savory herbs, as well as black fruits like plums, currants, and blackberries. There's also the PERFECT amount of oak, as well as wonderful chalky terrior/earthiness. The tannins are still very firm; this wine will probably continue to age beautifully for another 10 to 30 years (or more?). And at only 13.5% alcohol, this wine was beautifully well-balanced; we are always pleased to come across a Calif Cab Sav that can be fruity and spicy and delicious and have less than 20% alcohol.
This wine went extremely well with the assortment of meats; this wine is a perfect red meat wine (any type of steak will pair nicely with this bottle).
Our only complaint: price. $90 for a nice Cab Sav isn't outrageous, but you can drink a LOT of fantastic reds for a LOT less money. The Windward Pinot we also took to the restaurant cost us only $28.80 through Windward's wine club. I'd rather drink three bottles of Windward Pinot versus one bottle of this wonderful Cab Sav (figuring monetary concerns into this equation), but maybe that's just me?!?!
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5/2/2011 - Alfaro wrote: 92 Points
Pop and Poured, let it evolve in the glass over dinner about three hours, held up to the spices and went surprisingly well with Mexican food. Very good wine, well integrated oak and tannins that don't put you off, rich jammy fruit but not like you would need toast with, has that silky pallet coating pleasure that only higher end juice can provide. Had a beautiful bouquet that I could just strap on to my schnoz for hours.
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4/24/2011 - ScottGoodwin Likes this wine:
Definitely some oak present but not as much as I expected. Creamy red currants. Reasonably fruit forward but not obnoxiously so.
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4/23/2011 - GaryHOhio wrote: 90 Points
Wanted to conduct a blind tasting with family of Silver Oak Alexander Valley vs Silver Oak Napa Valley (2005). Decanted both for one hour. Napa nose was more vivid with berries and oak. Very similiar mouth feel but Napa finish was longer and smoother. Over the course of the evening everyone agreed the Napa was better but that both were good wines. Now the question is, is the Napa worth $30 more per bottle ?
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4/12/2011 - rfein11 wrote:
Happy anniversary to us!
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4/9/2011 - Mball88 wrote: 93 Points
Awesome with a ribeye
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2/24/2011 - Jpomeranz wrote:
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2/12/2011 - wineshaman wrote: 90 Points
Decanted 2hrs, mmm, lots of currant/cassis, black plum, vanilla and oak is apparent, but balanced, one note call this grotesque, (must never had boones farm) I could see this called many things, but grotesque would not be one of them. Never the less this is a solid napa cab, that could use a year or two of bottle age.
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2/8/2011 - DHJ1968 wrote:
At dinner with business colleagues. What a mess. Over oaked, dill pickled monstrosity. Nowhere near enough fruit to overcome the poor winemaking. In a word, grotesque.
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1/22/2011 - JJB007 wrote: 90 Points
i guess it was ok
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12/30/2010 - Shoomon Likes this wine: 92 Points
Complex flavors with bright red fruit on first offering then developed into mature cassis plum notes. Full, but not over the top, mouth feel that matched well with a prime Rib-Eye. Curious to taste after another 3 years of aging. Potential to drink like a 95+ in a couple of years.
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12/25/2010 - brigcampbell wrote:
Christmas 2010 (Kim's House in Encinitas, CA): Classic big napa cab. not a great value, like all SO.
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12/6/2010 - drock25 wrote: 91 Points
A classic napa cab. Not terribly complex but always delicious.
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11/25/2010 - mholly2 Likes this wine: 92 Points
A bit young, but great anyway!
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11/10/2010 - Henab3 wrote:
At vinyard
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11/2/2010 - Double-A Likes this wine: 95 Points
Butterscotch, mint, vanilla and sweet currant nose with mineral notes. Complex and balanced palate with very good integration and length.
5/5+
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10/30/2010 - Personal Opinion wrote: 91 Points
noticed this wine on day 1.. though enjoyed this wine on day 3.. what more can i say.. a classic napa cab.. balanced (honestly!?!?), smooth, modern, with well integrated oak use .. enjoyable finish of concentrated black current skins and lead pencil shavings.. simple, yet classic... don't wait to many years (3-5)... though with a good decant it is totally enjoyable now.
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9/6/2010 - Bryan94 wrote: 85 Points
- Great bouquet with notes of must and dark berries. Not worth the price in our opinion.
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8/18/2010 - DSchnider wrote: 96 Points
Big bold and delicious. I have been told these wines do not hold up, but this is drinking beautifully right now.
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8/5/2010 - ADiamond wrote: 93 Points
Outstanding, incredibly smooth, dark almost purple. Great nose. Long legs, spectacular. I am running out to buy more before it’s no longer available.
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8/5/2010 - JJB007 wrote: 90 Points
still very good and will get better
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6/26/2010 - ewineguy wrote: 94 Points
Wow Great pour as expected. Dark inky inky purple. Great nose of florals and berries and dried raisans. Sticky in the glass. Jammy in the mouth. Phenom match to the bone in Ribeye. We got smokeyt meats, spices, minerals, cherries and berries, pepper, coffee. Wow. Spectacular.
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6/19/2010 - JJB007 wrote: 90 Points
90 now 95 in 5 years- this was excellent
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6/15/2010 - VineWithClass wrote: 92 Points
Made me fall in love with Napa cabs! I love the tannins & their evolution as this wine opens up. Drink young to fully experience this effect! Also, please pair with Steak!
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6/6/2010 - Xfactor wrote:
Dark boysenberry nose, silky currant and cassis palate, tannic and peppery finish.
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5/18/2010 - pjaines wrote:
London Wine Fair (London): Dark, big and bitter right now. Packed with potential. Big tannins but they feel right in a wine like this - young young young but good structure. Needs time to settle down. Big and bold wine.
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5/14/2010 - Senor_Underhill wrote: 90 Points
Extremely smooth. Fruit was good but probably needed more time to aerate or, perhaps, more time in the bottle.
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5/6/2010 - dontime wrote: 90 Points
PA Wine Festival - Pittsburgh: Nose of dark fruit and oak. More fruit on the palate including rhubarb, dark cherries and currants. A hint of vanilla and some spice keep this interesting. A lot of oak stirring around, suggest cellaring for 3-4 more years.
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3/18/2010 - rjhilgers@gmail.com wrote: 90 Points
Dark, ripe fruit, rhubarb, wild berries and sawdust. Firm tannins and well balanced, with a long finish. Overall, a nice CA cab. If it wasn't so oakey, I would have given it a few points higher, but the oak was a little too much for my palate.
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1/12/2010 - oakland.cory wrote:
Shiny. Medium red to pink rim. A lively nose of currants and blackberry complimented by violets and vanilla. Soft on the palate without being too oaky, this is very drinkable now but should get better with some time in the bottle.
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12/27/2009 - JoeCompton wrote:
Young, slightly sugary but still good dark fruits plum and black cherry. Not a firm structure, lacked tannins I would expect in Cali cab this early in it's life. Hold out for another 3-4 years then drink.
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11/9/2009 - Bobo N wrote:
Drank @ Fleming's Steakhouse, which has this wine on a special sale. Although it will probably one day be a blockbuster, right now it is so over-oaked that it was difficult for some of the table to appreciate it. This wine needs to age, age, age, and then decant, decant, decant. I have given no number rating b/c i don't want to skew future ratings once this wine becomes more approachable. Leave it in your cellar for now.
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