Just fantastic. There just aren’t many California cabs that could age 30 years and wow you like this. As mentioned by another, not clear this bottle is even made like this anymore. If you can find it, treat yourself and open today. Sadly only one bottle left in my cellar.
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Tasted at 15C (~60F). Aerated into decanting vessel.
Appearance: The Silver Oak cab makes quite an impression with an irresistibly deep, tawny color. This wine is definitely 30, and the first thing she tells you: she's not here to play around.
Nose: Pronounced primary notes of black fruit, smoke, tar, wet leaves, and black cherry leaves you gasping for a breath in the best possible way as she elegantly flirts with secondary aromas of tobacco, black truffle, and mushroom. Right as you begin to believe that you've found the depths of her aromatic complexity, she gently and quietly caresses your senses with a tertiary aroma of sweet musk.
Palate: Lusciously full bodied and dry with low acidity, medium alcohol, and (due to her age) low tannins. Good gracious is the flavor intense. Primary notes of blackberry, mushroom, tobacco, and blackcurrant leave you tongue tied and begging for more; a feeling that she delivers in spades as she kisses you with secondary flavors of smoke, leather, and vanilla. Just as everything else about this silver tongued devil, her complexity comes out in the tertiary notes of burnt caramel and black coffee. Her finish is long, but somehow it just isn't enough, and you find yourself anxiously reaching for the next sip.
Overall, the time I've spent tasting this wine makes me understand just how good an aged wine can be when kept in the proper conditions. She is poised, elegant, robust, and unapologetic. My only regret is that I don't have another bottle of this wine, though that is likely a good thing, seeing as she is definitely at her peak. Anyone tasting this wine after 2022 would certainly find that she has declined in elegance and charm. Drink right now.
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Vinetasters: Brown Bag (Skokie, IL): Served double blind. Black cherry and sweet fruit that seems to evoke Napa, but American oak and a more-than-typical amount of acidity drew me away from Napa. The American oak led me to my old mainstay of American cabernet, and I guessed Ridge Montebello, but from the same time period. The fruit here is very clean and still in very good shape; an impressive wine (and my first Silver Oak, though I was told that the modern incarnations are nothing like this).
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Blackcurrant, menthol, sandalwood, coffee. Beautifully developed. Fruit still very alive. Oak evident, but perfectly integrated. Captivating. On a long, delicious plateau. (94 Excellent wine)
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Past it’s prime but still beautiful on the pallet with fruit and soft tannins. Decanted and let open for an hour before enjoying and noticed a beautiful maturing as the evening wore on!
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Zinfandels Ten or Older (Gen Hoe, Geneva): Hot, showing quite a bit of alcohol in the bouquet, along with plenty of dill. Fully resolved tannin with flavors of red currant and dill on the palate.
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What a surprise! Slightly punky nose, maybe asparagus? Crystal clear Cab taste, no tannin at all, just razor sharp purity. Not big, and short finish. Only have one more, will bring it upstairs... fun to drink :)
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The 1992 Silver Oak was a dark red color with no bricking. The nose was filled with licorice, vanilla and dark red fruits. The mouth feel medium with very light tannins. Very nice structure. The taste provided flavors of red fruits, cherry twizzler, licorice and vanilla. A very good wine. I am very impressed by the ageworthiness of the Alexander silver oaks. I have had several different vintages as far back as 1977 within the last 2 years. This wine does not get much love compared to its Napa brother. I much prefer the Alexander because it seems to age better! Drink now. score 93
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This bottle reminded me of why i so loved Silver Oak int he past. well balanced, good acidity, engaging dark cherry fruit with a touch of tobacco and solid but not overpowering tannins. I miss the Silver Oak style of the past. sorry this was my last bottle.
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So long to one of my 1st purchases...tannins completely melted, fruit wonderfully integrated...this btl while "past its prime" by the experts, is is a great place right now...really enjoyed with a chicken and sausage dish...Fantastic!
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Enjoyed with the Pork chop at Flemings. Lovely bouquet of cassis, dust, and baker's chocolate, more of the same on the palate, everyone enjoyed this wine, medium body, rich, fruity, delicious, long, long lovely cabernet flavors on the finish and aftertaste.
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Decanted a 750mL for 45 minutes, then was in the glass for over an hour during dinner (beef tartare, wood-roasted cobia collar, duck a la presse, roasted veggies), and opened up as would be expected during that time. Initial nose was fruit forward and the little bit of alcohol harshness that there was burned off very quickly in the decanter. Wine itself was well structured with well integrated tannins. Even with 22 yrs of age, was sufficient acidity to give it some backbone. Medium finish of red and black fruit, though probably would have been more vibrant a few years ago. Not sure there is much benefit to letting this sit any longer, as it seems to lack the nuance of other well-aged cabs I have had.
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Attractive, but simple. Mature, though it will obviously hold at this level for several more years. Ruby core, with little variation to the rim. Aromas are fairly linear, the same as the full-bodied palate that offers predictable cherry, cassis and plum flavors. Chewy at times, this was something of a labor (read: boring) to drink after the wines that preceded it that all offered much more tension between acids, tannins and fruit. Would no doubt be a welcome addition to Dalmatian Ribeye and grilled veggies. Drink thru 2020
Audoze three hours, poured to decanter then served non-blind.
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Wonderfully delicious nose of berries and currants. Tannins are still pronounced, youthful although I doubt it will get much better. Muted fruit palate. Med finish.
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This wine has held up nicely over 20yrs...all tannins have long melted away...there is still fruit, but refined...nothing says its over the hill, but at this stage why wait?
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Has improved over the last couple of years. Still exhibiting some surprising youth, though most of the tannins and acid as rounded. Julie thought it was an aged Bordeaux. Testament to the wine-making at SO back then.
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Plum color, age showing, fading at the glass Subtle nose, some perfume characteristics Medium plus body Soft, fruit still evident, chocolate, evolved tobacco, some leather and faded American oak...hints of dill and anise
I was concerned that this was past due, and although definitely peaked and on its way down, this was an outstanding example of past Silver Oak vintages. I would have scored it higher had I consumed this bottle several years ago.
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Popped and decanted but started to drink right away. Wine definitely got a little better with some air. This wine has begun its slow descent down but by no means is a bad bottle of wine. The nose opened up over the 2 hours we drank the wine. Showing both some age and some elegance the wine is soft and refined. Would drink now.
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I would not wait any longer to drink. Nice nose, great upfront fruit flavor but finish was a bit rough. Opened up nicely throughout the night but definitely past its prime.
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She was a bit shy in the beginning, but as the evening wore on. She became the life of the party. Beautiful sophistication and structure. Nose was deep with berries and currants.
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Mostly 1991 California Cabernet Blind (Berkeley): Group's #2; my #2; 4 first; 3 second; 1 third; 1 last. Aromas and flavors of dark fruits, meat, and some funk. Full bodied, smooth, round, complex, with a medium+ finish.
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Magnum: Good nose, decent fruit, light to medium body. Overall, a nice bottle of wine and one that needs to be consumed now as I don't see any benefit from further cellaring. If anything, more time in the cellar likely to lead to decline.
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Held a 20 person blind wine tasting and while people enjoyed this wine (Note it was a Magnum), it did not steal the show. In fact, at least 4 people drinking the 2006 Grgich Hills Petite Sirah were convinced they were drinking the Silver Oak (Not real experienced drinkers though!). Anyway, I noticed a marked improvement after the wine had been opened for about 3 or 4 hours. The tannins were light as the was the wine. I still think this could have aged longer if desired although not sure any improvement would be seen. I have drunk two 1991 Silver Oaks in the past 1-2 years and those two definitely outshined this 1992.
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Lighter red than more recent Cali Cabs. Earthy nose of mint, chocolate, and some dark berries. First note of leather and earth, with mint and plum. At a peak -- elegant and refined. No hard edges.
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From a 3L. A little over the hill but I prefer the elegance it has gained from maturity than the more exuberant fruit it probably had during its youth.
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Drank over 3 days. Nose: Pepper, spice, tobacco, dark fruits, cedar. Taste: Plum, blackerry, oak, leather and earth. Mouthfeel: Velvet, with awesome balance. Firmly and totally resolved and integrated. Simply a wonderful and enjoyable wine. Overall: The cork was in terrible shape and virtually disentgrated on opening. As others have noted, despite the poor cork conditionh, there was no trouble inside. Alcohol was virtually undetectible. This was an awesome bottle that I totally enjoyed. Ourstanding. Wonderful. Get the idea????
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Decanted for an hour. Drank side-by-side with 97 Whitehall Lane (dinner was lamb rack w/lingonberry demi-glace). Cork was mushy (needed AHSO to remove it intact). Rather austere at first. Remindful of Bordeaux. As the evening wore on, this wine gained more complexity. By the end of the evening, opinion had shifted from Whitehall Lane to Silver Oak. Eventually, the incredible complexity of this wine shown through. Spice, tobacco, green bean -- continuously evolving.
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Some brick color. Cork disintegrated but no apparent trouble inside. Muted nose with floral and cedar, some funk. Beautifully integrated. Sour red fruit and chocolate candy with nice acidity. No apparent alcohol at all. Still has a tannic bite, so I think it can go even longer. Great stuff.
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May have been cooked 10 years ago according to the bottle owner. Good nose with some florals and fruit. Restrained wine with minor red fruit, some green and pepper notes, reasonably well balanced until a disappointing finish. Fully mature and needs to be drunk now.
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Edward Roberts International Pre-Auction Tasting (Union League Club of Chicago): Sampled at the Edward Roberts International Pre-Auction Tasting at the Union League Club of Chicago. Crazy vegetal essences with such a unique nose. Beautiful palate. Fresh and breezy. Lots of leather on the nose and in the palate as well. Such a fantastic aged Silver Oak from Alexander Valley. Bravo. So excited this was my first SO Alexander experience. Just about as good as the Napa, more elegant though. I'm impressed.
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This bottle was popped and poured. Great luscious nose of all types of red fruit. Cool strawberries, cherries and raspberries. Nice touch of spice and tobacco on the nose too. There was a green streak for me on the palate at first, but that did blow off after some time. This then opened up to reveal layers of oak, spice and luscious fruit. Towards the end of the bottle, shaved dark baking chocolate was noted on the finish with a nice dustiness as well. I don’t think the best years are past yet and might even go a few more. Classic example of a nice restrained old school aged Napa cab.
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Fair amount of bricking, mature nose of spice, a bit of green streak on the palate. After a few swirls, there is a some fruit coming through but not much left on the palate, maybe some tart cranberries. Tannins are fully resolved. After an bit of time in the glass, this did improve a bit. Drink up.
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Had twice during the week. Still pleasant. No rush to drink although I doubt it improves w/additional age. Sat well recorked in fridge for over a week.
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This was easily the wine of the night. We decanted it for about a half an hour and started sipping. There's lots of cedar, cassis, and spice up front. It's so similar to a well-aged French Bourdeaux, that if this wine was tasted blind, I probably would have guessed it was a 95 Pauillac without the cigar box taste. This is a testament to what an aged American cab can achieve: beauty, finesse, appeal, structure, clarity, and wonderful harmony. If you get a chance to try this wine, do so.
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(Magnum) – Decanted about 2 hours prior to serving – very little sediment noticed – extremely dark colour – opaque – no browning on the edge – penetrating bouquet featuring a mix of black currant and a slight note of cedar – very full bodied – coats the palate with a layer of black currant and cassis – tannins are fully integrated – lush texture – much more integrated than I remember from the last bottle – tannins have melded into the fruit but form an excellent structure along with the natural acidity – long, long finish, where the fruit rises and rises. A wonderful accompaniment to a broiled full beef tenderloin, sliced thin and topped with a cabernet sauce.
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Tasted the 92 Silver Oak - Alex and the 94 Insignia together. It was back and forth as to which one was better but I think the Insignia was a little richer. Both very good and still with many years to go.
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This wine was stunning tonite! I realize that most wine geeks on this site have long ago given up on Silver Oak, but dont forget that the 1995 and earlier vintages pre-ramp up into a big commercial winery were always good to excellent wines. I bot this bottle direct from the winery on release, and have had it stored at 58 degrees ever since, and its beautiful now. While clearly a mature wine, it still has nice fruit, fragrant aromatics, and a long finish. Much better than a Dunn 92 Napa that I recently opened.....
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15 BOTTLES OF SILVER OAK 1986 TO 1992 (Walnut Creek, Ca.): Silver Oak Tasting of 15 wines. Lovely, rich, perfumey nose, touch of cardboard, opened quickly, very rich, tasty wine, lovely, black berry fruit, medium/big body, and nice finish. My #11 tie of 15.
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11/1/2022 - JElk wrote: 94 Points
Just fantastic. There just aren’t many California cabs that could age 30 years and wow you like this. As mentioned by another, not clear this bottle is even made like this anymore. If you can find it, treat yourself and open today. Sadly only one bottle left in my cellar.
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10/23/2022 - ozstef Likes this wine: 90 Points
Was Coravined in 2021/3. Still great
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4/26/2022 - Eoisa Likes this wine: 96 Points
Tasted at 15C (~60F). Aerated into decanting vessel.
Appearance:
The Silver Oak cab makes quite an impression with an irresistibly deep, tawny color. This wine is definitely 30, and the first thing she tells you: she's not here to play around.
Nose:
Pronounced primary notes of black fruit, smoke, tar, wet leaves, and black cherry leaves you gasping for a breath in the best possible way as she elegantly flirts with secondary aromas of tobacco, black truffle, and mushroom. Right as you begin to believe that you've found the depths of her aromatic complexity, she gently and quietly caresses your senses with a tertiary aroma of sweet musk.
Palate:
Lusciously full bodied and dry with low acidity, medium alcohol, and (due to her age) low tannins. Good gracious is the flavor intense. Primary notes of blackberry, mushroom, tobacco, and blackcurrant leave you tongue tied and begging for more; a feeling that she delivers in spades as she kisses you with secondary flavors of smoke, leather, and vanilla. Just as everything else about this silver tongued devil, her complexity comes out in the tertiary notes of burnt caramel and black coffee. Her finish is long, but somehow it just isn't enough, and you find yourself anxiously reaching for the next sip.
Overall, the time I've spent tasting this wine makes me understand just how good an aged wine can be when kept in the proper conditions. She is poised, elegant, robust, and unapologetic. My only regret is that I don't have another bottle of this wine, though that is likely a good thing, seeing as she is definitely at her peak. Anyone tasting this wine after 2022 would certainly find that she has declined in elegance and charm. Drink right now.
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12/5/2021 - acyso wrote: 93 Points
Vinetasters: Brown Bag (Skokie, IL): Served double blind. Black cherry and sweet fruit that seems to evoke Napa, but American oak and a more-than-typical amount of acidity drew me away from Napa. The American oak led me to my old mainstay of American cabernet, and I guessed Ridge Montebello, but from the same time period. The fruit here is very clean and still in very good shape; an impressive wine (and my first Silver Oak, though I was told that the modern incarnations are nothing like this).
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11/28/2021 - G.M. wrote: 94 Points
Blackcurrant, menthol, sandalwood, coffee. Beautifully developed. Fruit still very alive. Oak evident, but perfectly integrated. Captivating. On a long, delicious plateau. (94 Excellent wine)
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7/3/2021 - MK9786 Likes this wine: 92 Points
May not be everyone's cup of tea, but we enjoyed it. Cork was very crumbly, however.
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6/14/2019 - Gr8penut Likes this wine: 93 Points
What a great wine! Nose even had some mint to it. Unreal!
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9/23/2018 - mrstinky Likes this wine: 92 Points
Soft tannins and nice fruit. A real pleasure. An hour decant is just right. Wonderful stuff.
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7/13/2018 - jgkost wrote: 92 Points
Drinking better than expected. Fruit still prominent with soft tannins. Better to drink sooner rather than later but still wonderful now.
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6/14/2018 - mnrando wrote:
Past it’s prime but still beautiful on the pallet with fruit and soft tannins. Decanted and let open for an hour before enjoying and noticed a beautiful maturing as the evening wore on!
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9/1/2017 - AllRed wrote: 86 Points
Zinfandels Ten or Older (Gen Hoe, Geneva): Hot, showing quite a bit of alcohol in the bouquet, along with plenty of dill. Fully resolved tannin with flavors of red currant and dill on the palate.
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4/15/2017 - seijaro Likes this wine: 93 Points
What a surprise! Slightly punky nose, maybe asparagus? Crystal clear Cab taste, no tannin at all, just razor sharp purity. Not big, and short finish. Only have one more, will bring it upstairs... fun to drink :)
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4/8/2017 - Gr8penut Likes this wine: 89 Points
Great nose after initial blow off. Fruit rather dry but still nice finish. Drink your holdings soon!
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2/4/2017 - PDavisMarble wrote: 91 Points
Drinking at a plateau.
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1/26/2017 - wineman73 Likes this wine: 93 Points
The 1992 Silver Oak was a dark red color with no bricking. The nose was filled with licorice, vanilla and dark red fruits. The mouth feel medium with very light tannins. Very nice structure. The taste provided flavors of red fruits, cherry twizzler, licorice and vanilla. A very good wine. I am very impressed by the ageworthiness of the Alexander silver oaks. I have had several different vintages as far back as 1977 within the last 2 years. This wine does not get much love compared to its Napa brother. I much prefer the Alexander because it seems to age better! Drink now. score 93
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3/5/2016 - Lilja wrote: 89 Points
Drink up.
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2/4/2016 - Ajnate wrote:
This bottle reminded me of why i so loved Silver Oak int he past. well balanced, good acidity, engaging dark cherry fruit with a touch of tobacco and solid but not overpowering tannins. I miss the Silver Oak style of the past. sorry this was my last bottle.
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2/4/2016 - Rob MacKay wrote: 92 Points
Very nice. Fully integrated. Still holding its fruit well. Drink now and enjoy!
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10/31/2015 - wa2ofd Likes this wine: 95 Points
So long to one of my 1st purchases...tannins completely melted, fruit wonderfully integrated...this btl while "past its prime" by the experts, is is a great place right now...really enjoyed with a chicken and sausage dish...Fantastic!
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10/10/2014 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 93 Points
Enjoyed with the Pork chop at Flemings. Lovely bouquet of cassis, dust, and baker's chocolate, more of the same on the palate, everyone enjoyed this wine, medium body, rich, fruity, delicious, long, long lovely cabernet flavors on the finish and aftertaste.
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5/9/2014 - SKAHN2 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Decanted a 750mL for 45 minutes, then was in the glass for over an hour during dinner (beef tartare, wood-roasted cobia collar, duck a la presse, roasted veggies), and opened up as would be expected during that time. Initial nose was fruit forward and the little bit of alcohol harshness that there was burned off very quickly in the decanter. Wine itself was well structured with well integrated tannins. Even with 22 yrs of age, was sufficient acidity to give it some backbone. Medium finish of red and black fruit, though probably would have been more vibrant a few years ago. Not sure there is much benefit to letting this sit any longer, as it seems to lack the nuance of other well-aged cabs I have had.
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5/1/2014 - no leashes wrote: 90 Points
Very good aged cabernet, with smoky, dark fruit, cassis and licorice flavors. Smooth texture, medium bodied.
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4/22/2014 - Frchasman wrote: 86 Points
I'm sure it was excellent a few years ago, but this one is definitely past its prime.
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3/15/2014 - cawineaux wrote: 91 Points
Bordeaux qualities at this point. Fruit is muted, but lively. Still a great bottle of wine.
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3/15/2014 - Tim Heaton wrote:
Attractive, but simple. Mature, though it will obviously hold at this level for several more years. Ruby core, with little variation to the rim. Aromas are fairly linear, the same as the full-bodied palate that offers predictable cherry, cassis and plum flavors. Chewy at times, this was something of a labor (read: boring) to drink after the wines that preceded it that all offered much more tension between acids, tannins and fruit. Would no doubt be a welcome addition to Dalmatian Ribeye and grilled veggies. Drink thru 2020
Audoze three hours, poured to decanter then served non-blind.
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4/5/2013 - 82Latour wrote: 90 Points
Wonderfully delicious nose of berries and currants. Tannins are still pronounced, youthful although I doubt it will get much better. Muted fruit palate. Med finish.
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12/21/2012 - wa2ofd wrote: 90 Points
This wine has held up nicely over 20yrs...all tannins have long melted away...there is still fruit, but refined...nothing says its over the hill, but at this stage why wait?
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10/14/2012 - PDavisMarble wrote: 93 Points
Has improved over the last couple of years. Still exhibiting some surprising youth, though most of the tannins and acid as rounded. Julie thought it was an aged Bordeaux. Testament to the wine-making at SO back then.
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9/24/2012 - Genghis88 Likes this wine: 91 Points
DINNER AT Q4 CENTRO WITH ROBERTO AND FAMILY
Plum color, age showing, fading at the glass
Subtle nose, some perfume characteristics
Medium plus body
Soft, fruit still evident, chocolate, evolved tobacco, some leather and faded American oak...hints of dill and anise
I was concerned that this was past due, and although definitely peaked and on its way down, this was an outstanding example of past Silver Oak vintages. I would have scored it higher had I consumed this bottle several years ago.
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12/10/2011 - Kemo Sabe wrote: 90 Points
Popped and decanted but started to drink right away. Wine definitely got a little better with some air. This wine has begun its slow descent down but by no means is a bad bottle of wine. The nose opened up over the 2 hours we drank the wine. Showing both some age and some elegance the wine is soft and refined. Would drink now.
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11/20/2011 - OhSure wrote: 91 Points
I would not wait any longer to drink. Nice nose, great upfront fruit flavor but finish was a bit rough. Opened up nicely throughout the night but definitely past its prime.
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10/20/2011 - bradc2112 Likes this wine: 91 Points
She was a bit shy in the beginning, but as the evening wore on. She became the life of the party. Beautiful sophistication and structure. Nose was deep with berries and currants.
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10/18/2011 - psrv wrote: 91 Points
Mostly 1991 California Cabernet Blind (Berkeley): Group's #2; my #2; 4 first; 3 second; 1 third; 1 last. Aromas and flavors of dark fruits, meat, and some funk. Full bodied, smooth, round, complex, with a medium+ finish.
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7/23/2011 - lexcorrect wrote: 93 Points
Still going strong after all these years.
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3/18/2011 - bottlestopper wrote: 95 Points
Totally sublime. Wonderful nose, beatifully balanced tannins, incredibly smooth with a long finish.
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1/8/2011 - jst914 wrote: 89 Points
Magnum: Good nose, decent fruit, light to medium body. Overall, a nice bottle of wine and one that needs to be consumed now as I don't see any benefit from further cellaring. If anything, more time in the cellar likely to lead to decline.
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12/23/2010 - albrigsr wrote:
Held a 20 person blind wine tasting and while people enjoyed this wine (Note it was a Magnum), it did not steal the show. In fact, at least 4 people drinking the 2006 Grgich Hills Petite Sirah were convinced they were drinking the Silver Oak (Not real experienced drinkers though!). Anyway, I noticed a marked improvement after the wine had been opened for about 3 or 4 hours. The tannins were light as the was the wine. I still think this could have aged longer if desired although not sure any improvement would be seen. I have drunk two 1991 Silver Oaks in the past 1-2 years and those two definitely outshined this 1992.
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12/11/2010 - PDavisMarble wrote: 92 Points
Lighter red than more recent Cali Cabs. Earthy nose of mint, chocolate, and some dark berries. First note of leather and earth, with mint and plum. At a peak -- elegant and refined. No hard edges.
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11/21/2010 - dowhouse wrote: 94 Points
Cyn, Alex and Tom with Italian food. Yummy
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8/21/2010 - 12marshall wrote: 93 Points
Oak tobacco leather cassis still lovely
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11/13/2009 - Hazeo wrote: 90 Points
From a 3L. A little over the hill but I prefer the elegance it has gained from maturity than the more exuberant fruit it probably had during its youth.
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8/30/2009 - texbas57 wrote: 89 Points
A bit past its peak. Slight bell pepper fault, however, nice color and good fruit. Drink now.
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7/12/2009 - bobbubbabs wrote: 90 Points
Enjoyable, classic SO, but fruit is beginning to fade. '96 Caymus better this evening.
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5/25/2009 - plasiter67 wrote: 93 Points
Drank over 3 days. Nose: Pepper, spice, tobacco, dark fruits, cedar. Taste: Plum, blackerry, oak, leather and earth. Mouthfeel: Velvet, with awesome balance. Firmly and totally resolved and integrated. Simply a wonderful and enjoyable wine. Overall: The cork was in terrible shape and virtually disentgrated on opening. As others have noted, despite the poor cork conditionh, there was no trouble inside. Alcohol was virtually undetectible. This was an awesome bottle that I totally enjoyed. Ourstanding. Wonderful. Get the idea????
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5/16/2009 - Paco wrote: 94 Points
Decanted for an hour. Drank side-by-side with 97 Whitehall Lane (dinner was lamb rack w/lingonberry demi-glace). Cork was mushy (needed AHSO to remove it intact). Rather austere at first. Remindful of Bordeaux. As the evening wore on, this wine gained more complexity. By the end of the evening, opinion had shifted from Whitehall Lane to Silver Oak. Eventually, the incredible complexity of this wine shown through. Spice, tobacco, green bean -- continuously evolving.
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1/17/2009 - psmith wrote:
Somewhat green charred wood nose - very SO though served blind this wasn't on my radar at all. Dark fruit and oak. Good balance. Enjoyable wine.
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1/13/2009 - joefouche wrote: 93 Points
Some brick color. Cork disintegrated but no apparent trouble inside. Muted nose with floral and cedar, some funk. Beautifully integrated. Sour red fruit and chocolate candy with nice acidity. No apparent alcohol at all. Still has a tannic bite, so I think it can go even longer. Great stuff.
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12/13/2008 - Clarkmeister wrote: 87 Points
May have been cooked 10 years ago according to the bottle owner. Good nose with some florals and fruit. Restrained wine with minor red fruit, some green and pepper notes, reasonably well balanced until a disappointing finish. Fully mature and needs to be drunk now.
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10/26/2008 - beezer6 wrote: 92 Points
Edward Roberts International Pre-Auction Tasting (Union League Club of Chicago): Sampled at the Edward Roberts International Pre-Auction Tasting at the Union League Club of Chicago.
Crazy vegetal essences with such a unique nose. Beautiful palate. Fresh and breezy.
Lots of leather on the nose and in the palate as well. Such a fantastic aged Silver Oak from Alexander Valley.
Bravo. So excited this was my first SO Alexander experience. Just about as good as the Napa, more elegant though. I'm impressed.
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8/20/2008 - tyvoodoo wrote: 91 Points
This bottle was popped and poured. Great luscious nose of all types of red fruit. Cool strawberries, cherries and raspberries. Nice touch of spice and tobacco on the nose too. There was a green streak for me on the palate at first, but that did blow off after some time. This then opened up to reveal layers of oak, spice and luscious fruit. Towards the end of the bottle, shaved dark baking chocolate was noted on the finish with a nice dustiness as well. I don’t think the best years are past yet and might even go a few more. Classic example of a nice restrained old school aged Napa cab.
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7/16/2008 - numcwrt2 wrote: 86 Points
Fair amount of bricking, mature nose of spice, a bit of green streak on the palate. After a few swirls, there is a some fruit coming through but not much left on the palate, maybe some tart cranberries. Tannins are fully resolved. After an bit of time in the glass, this did improve a bit. Drink up.
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6/20/2008 - wa2ofd wrote:
Had twice during the week. Still pleasant. No rush to drink although I doubt it improves w/additional age. Sat well recorked in fridge for over a week.
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3/16/2008 - jonradus wrote: 96 Points
This was easily the wine of the night. We decanted it for about a half an hour and started sipping. There's lots of cedar, cassis, and spice up front. It's so similar to a well-aged French Bourdeaux, that if this wine was tasted blind, I probably would have guessed it was a 95 Pauillac without the cigar box taste. This is a testament to what an aged American cab can achieve: beauty, finesse, appeal, structure, clarity, and wonderful harmony. If you get a chance to try this wine, do so.
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11/19/2007 - awkiii wrote: 92 Points
Decanted for six hours beforehand. Wine had opened up to ripe fruit. Very little sediment. Delicious!
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5/5/2007 - Hank Gillespie wrote:
(Magnum) – Decanted about 2 hours prior to serving – very little sediment noticed – extremely dark colour – opaque – no browning on the edge – penetrating bouquet featuring a mix of black currant and a slight note of cedar – very full bodied – coats the palate with a layer of black currant and cassis – tannins are fully integrated – lush texture – much more integrated than I remember from the last bottle – tannins have melded into the fruit but form an excellent structure along with the natural acidity – long, long finish, where the fruit rises and rises. A wonderful accompaniment to a broiled full beef tenderloin, sliced thin and topped with a cabernet sauce.
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8/19/2006 - Johann Von Mastiff wrote: 92 Points
upon really tight upon opening. The oak is well integrated. The color is ruby red garnet. Sweet nose. Verg good length and tight grained tannins.
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10/4/2005 - Jack wrote:
Tasted the 92 Silver Oak - Alex and the 94 Insignia together. It was back and forth as to which one was better but I think the Insignia was a little richer. Both very good and still with many years to go.
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9/15/2005 - witwar wrote: 94 Points
Wine seems very close to peak with slight amount of tannins left. Excellent.
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7/14/2005 - luko wrote:
This wine was stunning tonite! I realize that most wine geeks on this site have long ago given up on Silver Oak, but dont forget that the 1995 and earlier vintages pre-ramp up into a big commercial winery were always good to excellent wines. I bot this bottle direct from the winery on release, and have had it stored at 58 degrees ever since, and its beautiful now. While clearly a mature wine, it still has nice fruit, fragrant aromatics, and a long finish. Much better than a Dunn 92 Napa that I recently opened.....
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11/22/2003 - buckeye76 wrote: 92 Points
BLACKBERRIES, BLACK CHERRIES, AND BELL PEPPER IN THE NOSE. BLACK CHERRIES AND BLACK CURRANTS IN THE FLAVOR. MEDIUM TO LONG FINISH.
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12/4/2002 - dbg wrote:
outstanding
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10/26/2000 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 90 Points
15 BOTTLES OF SILVER OAK 1986 TO 1992 (Walnut Creek, Ca.): Silver Oak Tasting of 15 wines. Lovely, rich, perfumey nose, touch of cardboard, opened quickly, very rich, tasty wine, lovely, black berry fruit, medium/big body, and nice finish. My #11 tie of 15.
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