1996 Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Community Tasting Notes (96) Avg Score: 91.5 points

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  3/8/2024 - Labrador Likes this wine: 91 Points

  Even at 27+ years of age, this was a lovely bottle of CA cabernet.
  Once it got some air (yes, I think a short decant at that stage is still appropriate) it began to open. It was everything that you would expect from a wonderful Silver Oak - smooth, balanced, aromatic, great ruby color, lovely on the palate (with that "hint of eucalyptus"), and a very nice finish.
  If you have this wine, it is time to start enjoying them.
  This Silver Oak confirms what I have always thought - if one is patient with the great CA wines. you will be rewarded.

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  12/31/2023 - Winokdub wrote: 92 Points

  From a magnum and showing well though fully mature. Still nice but probably past its prime. 92 plus

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  7/16/2023 - Bill_Raleigh wrote: 98 Points

  An extremely well aged bottle. Dark ruby color. Notes of grass and berry, all tanninshad softened. Decanted for a few hours and it was beautiful without a drop of sediment in the bottle.

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  4/10/2023 - Rieslingfan wrote:

  Remember back in the day when Silver Oak was something to be sought after? Then several years later it became the object of derision. Turns out the wines were pretty well made, if on the (more than) decidedly oaky side. Twenty-seven years since release, and this has mellowed into a suave yet still oaky wine. It’s pretty good if you can accept the wood treatment. Tannins are resolved, there’s still some berry fruit, and it’s got a layer of vanilla cream that would make Ina Garten howl in jealousy. Serve with rich food, as it tames the obvious elements of the wine, and eases the guilt of the global deforestation required to create it.

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  5/23/2021 - bryon m Likes this wine: 92 Points

  Amazing! 25 years old - Round, Soft, good berry and plum from start to end. Maybe not that complex but delicious.

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