6/6/2013 - budwin Likes this wine:

Agree with jcsf420. Young right now but has got quite a bit going for it. Set the heat of youth aside it shows primarily cherry & raspberry. Tart at first - as a young Zin usually is - it did change in the glass over an hour to a more sweet and complex character. My thought was "it grew a year in that hour".
Had a little left for the 2nd night. Became simple & linear. While pleasant, either drink it young or hold. Don't expect better the 2nd night.

3/7/2012 - budwin wrote:

Wed night...wine night. Pop and pour. Purple/pomegranite color & classy nose... senses of both an array of dark fruit and plenty of tannin to match - I like it already. This is a very very good wine and perhaps peaking(?) but I'd bet 7 years from now it will be the same. It bloomed over 1 & 1/2 hr so decant or let it change in the glass if you like. It isn't really all that complex and there's the rub = some will say 95 and some will say 89...for me it's 91 plus. Stands face to face with a big rich rib eye and doesn't blink......might be more like a big Napa Cab than a Meritage. Dark Plum, Currants, Blackberry, black cherry, juicy & solid ... fills the mouth. Nice long finish. The more i think about it....it screams "I'm a Cab!"

12/23/2010 - budwin Likes this wine:

From a 3L and what a hoot. Rated it a very surprising 91.I bought this for about $100 a few years ago and it in the basement since then - never even got to my temp/humidity controlled section. With the "relatives & kids" home for Christmas I brought this out. They would think the big bottle was cool and the contents contain alcohol so "exceeds requirements" was a given. It was damn good!!! Nice balance of good fruit and fine tannins, structure(!) and mouthfeel from this '97. Clearly Spring Mtn Dist and while not quite Pride or Sherwin family it was close. If you see it, it's worth the chance. My son who is a pretty critical judge agreed with me.

7/14/2010 - budwin wrote:

Unlike some postings I thought it was too young. The pieces were there but they had not come together yet. Cosequently I got alcohol and an attack of fruit a bit sour and in need of ripening. The tannins also need to resolve. No rating for now - expect better in 2 or 3 years.

6/11/2010 - budwin wrote:

Surprised me. It's Stag's lLeap all right. Typical dark fruit and soft tannins nicely in ballance and a touch of earth. Very smooth and great with my prime rib. I would recommend it and agree with a couple of others - at its peak this year. Give it a little air time and drink up.

5/7/2010 - budwin wrote:

Rating Silver Oak is difficult for me. It's consistently very good and goes well with food. Virtually everyone likes it except the professional reviewers and those expecting depth and complexity in a 100 buck Cab (rightly so IMHO). This one is - well it's Silver Oak. Medium body, dark fruit on the sweet side with purity and soft tannins that balance it well - that's about it. If you are worrried about Oak - decant 2 hours. I do prefer the Napa to the Alexander Valley which is similar but not as rich. I keep it because others love it when they come for dinner and I like it a lot too - just that Silver Oak prices are out of line for what it is. I'm sometimes tempted to fill a S.O. bottle with an '06 Chapalette Signature ($50ish) or even an '05 Berringer Knights Valley ($25 or so) and see what guests say. If you like it that's what counts - by all means buy it because life's too short and 25, 50, or 100 bucks probably won't change your liifestyle. Sound like a contradiction? It is. That's why I find rating silver Oak difficult.

5/5/2010 - budwin wrote:

Decanted 3 hours and agree with others decant is a must. AND THEN - Delightful nose of dark fruit and soft tannins - not so complex you want to study it but rather forget your stresses with a sniff and a sigh. More Syrah in the mouth than Merlot but the nicely developed Merlot with soft tannins can't be missed. Medium body and builds a lot of strength on the palate like whoa...good! Some are saying black fruit and some say red. I get both in balance with acidity and tannins. Fairly long finish. Better with food and a wine that nearly everone will enjoy from the discerning to the casual drinker. I got it for $60 but $75 isn't out of line INMHO. Likely at its peak but good for 4 - 5 more year.s

4/3/2010 - budwin wrote:

OK..member for a couple of years and wine lover for many more. My first note and I don't feel as qualified as many who rate the wines -but here it is!! Soft nose but an obvious Meursault with quite pleasant lemon and Burgundy florals. Crisp and clean was my immediate reaction - definitely not held too long. Clear bright yellow. A very pleasing lemon/citrus taste with a good balance of minerals - I liked the structure. Not real complex but a solid wine and good QPR - $55 - that I will buy again (this was from Winebid) if I know it has been cellared properly. Through the dinner the nose developed strength.