Unlike most, I like fay more than slv. Alluvial soil here as opposed to volcanic there. I got this from the winery a couple weeks ago so impeccable storage assumed. Nose of blackberry jam. Palate is rich, raspberry, blackberry, purple fruit is by far dominating. I would have guessed new world, probably napa, but never over 13 years. Still has some years but I wouldn't hold too much longer. SLWC remains a favorite of mine on Silverado.
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Needed a two hour decant. Terrific nose of black cherry, cassis, red cherry jam, raspberry, smoke, graphite, earth, red licorice, lipstick, flowers, and herbs. Tart cherry, black cherry, cassis, red cherry, earth, salt, minerals, licorice, and herbs on the palate. Mouth-watering acidity, moderately firm tannins, medium-long finish. Wow, the saltiness comes through the next day. Such a good wine, fresh and floral, fruity, salty, and minerally all together.
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Absolutely lovely on the nose, with elegant cassis fruit, medium+ bodied on the palate, very elegant and Clean cabernet fruit. A very elegant Napa-cab. A pity they have raised the price the last few years.
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SLWC has fallen off my radar a little, but ran across this bottle of 08 FAY. Surprisingly good, smokey, burning embers notes, well balanced with fruit, drinking beautifully. A pleasant surprise.
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It was good but not great, medium body, seemed a little light. Fruit forward, still needed some time developing I think. Decant for 2 hrs, drank over 2 more. Maybe too long of a decant? No sediment in glass, plum, black cherry and pomegranate, nothing else that really popped. Ho hum... Worth no more than $45 tops for me and even then there are better finds
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Outstanding! Half the btl kept under cork from yesterday, so took this wonderful opportunity to make a reassessment.
Today, the nose is closed and only after much coaxing does a deep red fruitiness spring forward. Super clean, but no nuance.
Mouth is more open for play than the nose. Medium bodied, transparent with a pure and clean berry expression. Tannins remain hidden by the young fruit. This is an very fine wine with a small voice, superb constitution (however, the acids are neighter balanced nor integrated) and structure.
Blinded, I think I'd have gone for Merlot-based, from the raisin character and small bitterness and lack of CS-signage (other than tannic structure.) I do remember it quite differently from yesterday, when I dismissed it as a typical Napa cab...
Feeling happy to have half of this btl all to myself :-) Stage: Early maturity, nearing its plateau. As the Stag's Leap ppl so aptly state: classic beauty (including poor QPR, at least in Sweden.)
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A solid 90 p. Opened at the table and not favoured by anyone as it was a little too easy drinking and there were other, more interesting, wines that kept flowing. I only had a small glass and didn't assess it any further than: A typical, well made Napa cab.
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Well structured, great balance soft but nice silky tannins. This wine hardly ever disappoints & has been great for a long time. For the price point this wine beats a lot of overpriced Napa cabs that sell for much higher prices.
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Tasted blind. Dark purple. Nose was a complex concoction of cherry, blackberry, coriander, and anise. On the palate it was smooth with the fruit showing a bit more than the spices. Solid structure and tannins. This was my WOTN.
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This is a dark ruby Cabernet from Napa Valley with a generous nose of black fruit, leather, graphite, olives and cedar. The mouth feel is full bodied. The fruit is vibrant with a nice layered and complex mix of acids and fruit. The finish has flexible tannin long and delightful.
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An oak bomb at this stage. Decanted. Dark purple color. Aromatic nose of black currant, blackberry, and loads of oak. In the mouth, primary and not giving much; it's all fruit and oak at this stage. Hard to get a read on. B+
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3/20/2023 - nicholasagonzales Likes this wine: 95 Points
Beautiful wine. Well rounded. Dark ruby in color. Balck Currant on the nose. It still has some life, but is beautiful today.
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9/4/2022 - Beach Wine Likes this wine: 88 Points
Still nice wine but wound not hold any longer. Back end a bit harsh and lacking finish.
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4/24/2022 - jeffreylubowski Likes this wine: 92 Points
Unlike most, I like fay more than slv. Alluvial soil here as opposed to volcanic there. I got this from the winery a couple weeks ago so impeccable storage assumed. Nose of blackberry jam. Palate is rich, raspberry, blackberry, purple fruit is by far dominating. I would have guessed new world, probably napa, but never over 13 years. Still has some years but I wouldn't hold too much longer. SLWC remains a favorite of mine on Silverado.
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1/4/2022 - Curt Jacques Does not like this wine:
Completely missed the window. Oak and not much else.
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2/26/2021 - rmh66 wrote: 93 Points
Needed a two hour decant. Terrific nose of black cherry, cassis, red cherry jam, raspberry, smoke, graphite, earth, red licorice, lipstick, flowers, and herbs. Tart cherry, black cherry, cassis, red cherry, earth, salt, minerals, licorice, and herbs on the palate. Mouth-watering acidity, moderately firm tannins, medium-long finish. Wow, the saltiness comes through the next day. Such a good wine, fresh and floral, fruity, salty, and minerally all together.
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4/27/2019 - AAJR Likes this wine: 93 Points
Decanted & enjoyed over two hours. Fruity aromas. Dark fruit flavors, very pleasant to drink with medium / long finish.
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12/31/2017 - Blauweiss Likes this wine: 93 Points
Absolutely lovely on the nose, with elegant cassis fruit, medium+ bodied on the palate, very elegant and Clean cabernet fruit. A very elegant Napa-cab. A pity they have raised the price the last few years.
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12/5/2016 - MemorialWineFan wrote: 90 Points
Super smooth like most Fay's. Still a lot of time left in these bottles.
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5/25/2016 - webbaker wrote: 93 Points
SLWC has fallen off my radar a little, but ran across this bottle of 08 FAY. Surprisingly good, smokey, burning embers notes, well balanced with fruit, drinking beautifully. A pleasant surprise.
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5/4/2016 - Kyle_Stewart wrote: 90 Points
It was good but not great, medium body, seemed a little light. Fruit forward, still needed some time developing I think. Decant for 2 hrs, drank over 2 more. Maybe too long of a decant? No sediment in glass, plum, black cherry and pomegranate, nothing else that really popped. Ho hum... Worth no more than $45 tops for me and even then there are better finds
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4/4/2015 - StefanAkiko Likes this wine: 92 Points
Outstanding!
Half the btl kept under cork from yesterday, so took this wonderful opportunity to make a reassessment.
Today, the nose is closed and only after much coaxing does a deep red fruitiness spring forward. Super clean, but no nuance.
Mouth is more open for play than the nose. Medium bodied, transparent with a pure and clean berry expression. Tannins remain hidden by the young fruit. This is an very fine wine with a small voice, superb constitution (however, the acids are neighter balanced nor integrated) and structure.
Blinded, I think I'd have gone for Merlot-based, from the raisin character and small bitterness and lack of CS-signage (other than tannic structure.) I do remember it quite differently from yesterday, when I dismissed it as a typical Napa cab...
Feeling happy to have half of this btl all to myself :-)
Stage: Early maturity, nearing its plateau.
As the Stag's Leap ppl so aptly state: classic beauty (including poor QPR, at least in Sweden.)
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4/3/2015 - StefanAkiko Likes this wine: 90 Points
A solid 90 p. Opened at the table and not favoured by anyone as it was a little too easy drinking and there were other, more interesting, wines that kept flowing. I only had a small glass and didn't assess it any further than:
A typical, well made Napa cab.
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9/13/2014 - WineGuyDelMar Likes this wine: 92 Points
Well structured, great balance soft but nice silky tannins. This wine hardly ever disappoints & has been great for a long time. For the price point this wine beats a lot of overpriced Napa cabs that sell for much higher prices.
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7/14/2014 - mraabpfg wrote: 92 Points
Solid Cab with notes of chocolate spic and leather on the nose and a steady yet mild finish of berry and jam
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2/23/2014 - bottles.and.bites Likes this wine: 93 Points
Tasted blind. Dark purple. Nose was a complex concoction of cherry, blackberry, coriander, and anise. On the palate it was smooth with the fruit showing a bit more than the spices. Solid structure and tannins. This was my WOTN.
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2/2/2014 - ToniTony Likes this wine: 90 Points
Wonderfully fruity, complex and well-structured. A great wine!
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7/20/2013 - WCH3GA Likes this wine: 93 Points
So good
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5/12/2013 - Mike Mann wrote: 94 Points
smooth, great nose great finish
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5/4/2013 - BigBoy_Sonoma wrote: 92 Points
Dark fruit, cherries, spice, tobacco, smokey oak.
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3/4/2013 - MemorialWineFan Likes this wine: 91 Points
Been awhile since I had a Fay. Very good bottle.
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11/30/2012 - AUDIocee Likes this wine: 89 Points
Not bad, but there are better out there
The wine looks Garnet colored. The legs are Slow.
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10/3/2012 - OregonWineGeeks Likes this wine: 91 Points
This is a dark ruby Cabernet from Napa Valley with a generous nose of black fruit, leather, graphite, olives and cedar. The mouth feel is full bodied. The fruit is vibrant with a nice layered and complex mix of acids and fruit. The finish has flexible tannin long and delightful.
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2/26/2012 - dke wrote:
(at the winery) Cherries and chocolate on the palate. Minerals on the very good finish. ~92pts
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1/22/2012 - mckillop Likes this wine: 90 Points
Full body and strong tannins. Looking forward to trying it again in 2018.
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1/21/2012 - Porchino wrote: 93 Points
Elegant shows great for USA world class
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12/29/2011 - gutt22 wrote:
An oak bomb at this stage. Decanted. Dark purple color. Aromatic nose of black currant, blackberry, and loads of oak. In the mouth, primary and not giving much; it's all fruit and oak at this stage. Hard to get a read on. B+
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10/20/2011 - John Gallup wrote:
Somewhat thin tasting, with a hint of bitterness. May need more time.
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10/7/2011 - lumpyelbow wrote:
Napa 2011; 10/6/2011-10/9/2011 (Napa Valley, California): Not showing or giving much. With vigorous swirling you can coax some perfume and vanilla from the glass. Not a lot of body, tannic finish.
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