Or better…. Cool blueberry aroma over a dark Garnet beautifully poured glass. Crisp raspberry and blue berry flavors whirled around the tastebuds. This is a solid but ballanced semi sweet full textured wine experience. The finish seemed to last forever… what a delight.
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Damp dirt, forest floor, blueberry, beautifully aged, wet leaves, toast, herbs, cooked capsicum, with some time in the glass the wine blossoms into mesmerising floral notes. So yummy and make you want to have more!
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Already fading and solidity into the mature fruit stage. Nice complexity. Not bad but surprising this is tasting so old already. Prefer the prior generations of Silver Oak.
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The first vintage blended and not 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, with 7% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot. Nose of herbs, mocha, black cherry fruit, and earth, more of the same on the palate, drinking great today, mellow, smooth, tasty, mouth filling fruit, medium/big body, time to drink up if you have it in the cellar, delicious, long finish and lovely aftertaste, photo uploaded.
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I decanted this for an hour before drinking but it really should have been decanted for 5 or more hours. It’s story didn’t start great but as it opened up it started to pull in pleasant flavors to build a solid experience. At its worse it told a short story about blackberries, blueberries, and vanilla with a hint of bitterness. After letting it sit for 2 hours after the first small glass, it brought in hints of vanilla, peppercorn, and bell pepper rounding out the experience. If you are opening this, I cannot stress enough, decant for 5 or more hours.
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Decanted this wine for 45 minutes prior to drinking and felt that this wine really needed it. The nose was elegant with lots of red fruits, cherries, raspberries, some notes of leather, and a hint of toasted coconut. The palate is medium bodied, nice mouthfeel, but felt a bit thin. There are some green pepper notes with this wine which I am attributing to the difficult 2011 vintage however it is very easy drinking and just overall tasty. Medium finish. Overall really enjoyed this wine.
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A good wine but definitely mature, good to drink now.
Medium garnet color. M+ intensity aroma, quite savory, bell pepper with tertiary aromas - stewed plum - dominating. Solid structure - M+ acid and M+ tannins. Finish is long but body is not too full. On the palate, there is still a bit of the stewed fruit but also ripe blackberries and savory, vegetable notes - bell peppers and asparagus. Not a huge wine, quite elegant.
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This is settling down nicely. About 2mm of penetration into a very well preserved cork. I was surprised that the stain on the cork was such a light rose color. Decanted leaving absolutely no sediment in bottle. After 2 hours this was really open and showing nearly all that I expected from this particular SO. There was solid red fruit and vanilla, with hints of truffle and saddle leather. Mouthfeel was fairly light, as were the gently integrated tannins. A very well made and tasty wine indeed, but lacking the decadence that I was hoping for in this price range.
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This wine has now reached a point where everything has mellowed out, leaving a lovely Silver Oak experience. Firmly in its drinking window now and I think it will be there for a long time. Dense wine, lots of red fruits, long finish. Excellent.
91+
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Similar to first tasting notes, but seems to be a bit more integrated, and has more herbal notes. This was the first vintage (at least recently) that wasn’t 100% Cabernet, so a bit of a departure in that regard. Pepper, thyme and dill, with the usual oak and some bright cherry. More recent vintages are a higher blend of Cabernet, where this was just 90%, so a noticeable difference. Seems to be in its window, and would enjoy over the next several years.
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2011 is drinking nicely now. Quite dry and not as fruity as silver oak tends to be. Has some good leathery tertiary flavors and aromas to it. Not very complex otherwise. Dark fruit pronounced. Medium Finish and legs. Paired well with a lean medium rare filet and sautéed mushrooms.
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We compared a 2007 to the 2011 at this tasting. The 2007 won. But this writing is to describe the 2011. Very dark color, more European on the front end (a bit earthy like a Bordeaux). Black currants easily recognizable and a smooth chocolate finish. Great balance.
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Decanted for about 3 hours. Took a sip right out of the bottle and was definitely tight. Not sure along the way, but after 3 hours certainly had a lot of herbal, green vegetable notes as others have mentioned. Undertone of vanilla/oak. Oaky tannins on the finish.
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Warm, predictable aromas of cassis, graphite, sweet new wood, hints of ripe bell pepper, stewed damsons. Very silken, very eager to please on the palate, with a creamy texture that actually tastes rather odd for my palate, which is accustomed to Old World wines. Creme de cassis, some spice, and a hint of syrup macerated cherries on the palate. Not much else. A little sweet and borderline flabby. Really a fairly soulless anonymous wine, if well-made and not entirely without its charm. Not my style, and the rating I have given it reflects that, but I must concede that it is reasonably good drinking with steak.
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Decanted for an hour before drinking. It calmed a bit but is a typical 2011 California Cab. Dry, tons of oak and green pepper notes. This bottle is not with anywhere close to the $70 I paid. Tastes like a $30 bottle.
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Vegetal Green Pepper to the maximum on the palate. Some berry on the nose, but the green pepper dominated there too. The wine's tannins were hefty with a heavy duty weight that made the wine extremely dry and almost a dark purple in the glass. The bottle was not corked or cooked, it was just representative of the 2011 vintage and a typical Sonoma cab.
Bottle was a recent gift.
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Solid performance, decanted for over 30minutes after quick drink- and started to realy shine 45 minutes into meat meal- most excellent drink, very strong, but highly recommend and regard. cassis nose, opened to berry and sharp strong veggie like taste, but great with red meat. drank into evening and through dessert and it got better. Highly recommend good solid decant and time to open up.
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Yolanda's Birth Month Wines (Chagrin Falls): Always nice to try these wines. This has nice cassis, some tobacco and some green bell pepper. Honestly, I find that in this wine in most vintages, and for me, nothing that screamed 2011 about it. Not the ripest wine, but I don't find the Alexander bottling to be that ripe in ripe years. The palate is still showing youthful tannins and fruit. Some depth. Not as complex as the 2012, but I think the 2011's, if they ever do come around, will take some time similar to many 98's and 00s. That said, quite enjoyable right now.
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While I dislike most 2011 this did not have the vegetal/bell pepper flavor that I associate with 2011's. As a Pnp this was a touch hot out of the gate. This improved markedly with air. Drank without food which didn't help as Silver Oak is known as a great meal wine. Give this wine a solid decant and you will be rewarded.
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Opened nicely to dark fruits, olive and spices. Balanced palate of berries, spice box and bell pepper. Tannins integrated nicely with a smooth finish. While 2011 was a tough vintage, this wine is solid, but would not argue that it's a Silver Oak classic. Not sure how long this will cellar, but should hold for several years. Can imagine this wine getting thin if left too long, but enjoyable now.
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At Silver Oak this morning, tasted two wines before my Signorello appointment, black fruit, black currants, bell pepper, touch of bell pepper and earthy like Sumatra coffee, more of the same on the palate, tasty this morning, needs 2 years to peak, big body, good acid on a medium/long finish,
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The Twomey-Duncan family, Ray Twomey-Duncan owner, Justin Meyer - first winemaker. Justin was originally A Christian Brother, eventually fell out of the order. Worked with Andre T at BV, Heitz, and Franciscan. Silver Oak wines were made at Franciscan until the early '90s. Daniel Baron joined the team in '94. He was winemaker after Justin. He's on his way out, though, making way for Nate Weis. 2006 winery burned down. Twomey started with Merlot is '98/99. Now it's 8 PNs and an SB as well. First vintage was in '72. It has been 100% Cabernet up until 2011 vintage. 2011 is 90% Cab Sauv, 7% Merlot, 2% CF, 1% PV. 24-25 months in American. 40% new, but typically 50/50. They now own their own cooperage in Missouri. Some Illinois and Iowa oak too in the mix. 350 acres of forest purchased in 2000. On the nose, blackberry with substantial mineral. Medium tannin. Some kernel show on the palate. 70,000cs
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At Silver Oak this morning, red bell pepper, earthy like Sumatra coffee, and black cherry fruit, more of the same on the palate, very tasty but very young, big body, and medium/long finish with a touch of good acid.
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At Silver Oak Oakville this morning, nose of blackberry, dark fruit, rich fruit, more of the same on the palate, medium/big body, tasty but a touch simple, needs 2 years to improve, medium/long finish..
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Consumed beside a 2006 Renieri Brunello & a 2011 Hope & Grace Pinot at Azzuro in Peapack NJ. The wine required more decant and certainly more hours to sit than tonight's dinner could provide so I will re-visit this again in the future.
Tonight however, it began as a closed wine with an old world feel, not quite the modern cab I was expecting. Certainly the ever so present Silver Oak notes. These start with oak followed by an oaky almost chewy mouth feel, and ends with a lingering flavors of oak.
Aside from that Mrs Lincoln ......... Here are my more serious notes. It had a slight herbal quality both in the aroma & palette. More mocha than blackberry at the start but you could sense the background of closed fruit wanting to come out. This is followed by earthy flavors and a somewhat harsh tannic feel. Right now this is at best a medium body wine with a medium length finish of lingering cherry. I did not appreciate this wine but felt that there was something in the wine which felt like it could someday. Do not drink these yet. Wait several years.
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Served by gracious hosts but enjoyed with caveats, this deep ruby Cabernet was a nice accompaniment to a beautifully seared filet mignon. Aromas and flavors of cassis, vanilla and pickling spice are followed by similar flavors on a medium-bodied, freshly acidic palate. The alcohol (listed as 13.7%) is nicely integrated, but the tannins have jagged edges and the middle palate lacks in density. Medium in length and a bit astringent on the finish, this Silver Oak offering is a victim of the vintage. Drink now-2020.
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At Silver Oak 2011 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon Release Party today, a surprise opportunity to taste the Alexander Valley today, nose of black cherry, plum, red bell pepper and dusty, dry forest floor, much more open with more fruit showing today compared to previous tastings, medium/big body, tasty, needs three years to peak or decant for five hours, medium finish.
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Decanted for 3 hours and was still closed. I would age this for a couple more years maybe 4 or 5 more. A disappointing bottle now especially for the price. I am sure time would change this wine for the better. Not worth buying and drinking without more time in the bottle.
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At Silver Oak this afternoon, nose of subdued black cherry fruit, dusty earth, sage, and a touch of mocha, more of the same on the palate, medium/big body, in a dumb stage at the moment, tasty but mellow, either age for 2 years or decant for 2 hours before serving, medium finish today.
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first off, i think a lot of the low ratings (88-90pts) are because they did not aerate the wine long enough.
Popped the bottle open and tasted it right away. it seemed a bit tight, not a lot of flavors coming out. the nose however was very different with profound wood and oak notes. upon tasting without aerating, i could barely taste the oak and it was a decent 88-90pt wine. tasted again after 1 hr and it was still the same. after 2 hrs it tasted more rounded with silky finish. 3 hrs and was getting better. i had my last glass approaching the 4th hr and it was just magnificent. the oak has really come out at this point and it was hitting my palate strong. oaky, black fruit, silky, creamy, just wonderful.
i initially rated this wine 90pts after i first tasted it after an hr of aerating. i am now returning to edit the post to give it 94pts. it is just very different from a lot of the other wines ive tasted and it does it very well to say the least. awesome wine, obvious wood aging components in there.
one thing to note. there are a lot of silver oak bashers out there. but it really comes down to your palate, whether you like the oak and wood components or not. i usually like to save a glass for the next day to see how the flavors have changed but i just ended up finishing everything because it was that good.
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At Silver Oak this morning, nose of dusty earth, bell pepper, herbs and dark fruit, more of the same on the palate, medium/big body, in a dumb stage at the moment, subdued fruit, tasty but needs 3 years to peak, liked least among the four Cabernet Sauvignons tasted today.
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Enjoyed at a charity event. Subtle nose, medium fruit and medium finish. Tannins not quite integrated but in all fairness this was a pnp event. Pleasant but I was expecting more from this label. I'll chalk it up to the difficult growing season.
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At Silver Oak this morning, closed nose of dusty earth, bell pepper, and dark fruit, more of the same on the palate, medium/big body, slightly subdued fruit, mouth filling, needs 3 years to improve, or decant for 2 hours if you wish to drink it today, tasty, liked least among the three Cabernet Sauvignons tasted here this morning.
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At Silver Oak today, I was told most tasters like the wine and very little negative feedback about the first time break from the tradition of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon instead it was blended with 7% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot, due to the challenge of the 2011 vintage. Nose of herbs, mocha, black cherry fruit, and earth, more of the same on the palate, medium/big body, slightly subdued, well blended, delicious, long finish.
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At Silver Oak today, I was told very little feedback about the first time blending of this wine and the break from the tradition of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon instead it was blended with 7% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot, due to the challenge of the 2011 vintage. Nose of herbs, black cherry fruit, less merlot driven today than on Release Day, hints of mocha and earth, more of the same on the palate, medium/big body, almost fruit forward today, tasty, and a long, long finish.
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Silver Oak Release Party. This wine is a break from the tradition of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon instead it was blended with 7% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot, due to the challenge of the 2011 vintage. Aromatic and open on the nose, baker's chocolate, ripe fruit, raspberry, black cherry fruit, hints of mocha and earth, more of the same on the palate, medium/big body, Merlot evident today on the mid palate, bright forward tasting fruit, delicious, ready to enjoy, long, long finish with a hint of oak.
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12/21/2023 - pmcellar Likes this wine: 91 Points
Typically great Silver Oak
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11/23/2023 - enniszd wrote:
Blackberries,
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5/12/2023 - jcarman wrote: 90 Points
So sorry I have been cellaring this one. I waited too long.. Good, but no longer great.
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3/27/2023 - Kmarzec wrote: 94 Points
I agree with DJSeiler!
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2/24/2023 - DJSeiler wrote: 94 Points
Or better…. Cool blueberry aroma over a dark Garnet beautifully poured glass. Crisp raspberry and blue berry flavors whirled around the tastebuds. This is a solid but ballanced semi sweet full textured wine experience. The finish seemed to last forever… what a delight.
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1/25/2023 - Jason Wu Likes this wine: 94 Points
Damp dirt, forest floor, blueberry, beautifully aged, wet leaves, toast, herbs, cooked capsicum, with some time in the glass the wine blossoms into mesmerising floral notes. So yummy and make you want to have more!
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12/25/2022 - aaronwine Likes this wine: 90 Points
Already fading and solidity into the mature fruit stage. Nice complexity. Not bad but surprising this is tasting so old already. Prefer the prior generations of Silver Oak.
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6/11/2022 - Jeff Maxwell wrote: 90 Points
modest fruit with mostly blue notes, light tannin and low acidity - may be time to finish these off.
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5/18/2022 - JHolley33 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very dry
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4/10/2022 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 91 Points
The first vintage blended and not 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, with 7% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot. Nose of herbs, mocha, black cherry fruit, and earth, more of the same on the palate, drinking great today, mellow, smooth, tasty, mouth filling fruit, medium/big body, time to drink up if you have it in the cellar, delicious, long finish and lovely aftertaste, photo uploaded.
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12/27/2021 - bryon m Likes this wine: 90 Points
Good color and body. Flavors were not complex, it still had Wood/Oak flavor and some dark cherry. I enjoyed it, solid.
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9/8/2021 - d.autrey1 wrote:
Wrong date entered…substituting 2006
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6/19/2021 - tim.ramsier wrote: 88 Points
I decanted this for an hour before drinking but it really should have been decanted for 5 or more hours. It’s story didn’t start great but as it opened up it started to pull in pleasant flavors to build a solid experience. At its worse it told a short story about blackberries, blueberries, and vanilla with a hint of bitterness. After letting it sit for 2 hours after the first small glass, it brought in hints of vanilla, peppercorn, and bell pepper rounding out the experience. If you are opening this, I cannot stress enough, decant for 5 or more hours.
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4/9/2021 - RustyI Likes this wine: 90 Points
Fantastic!
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12/11/2020 - Bdemelo1027 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Full body as you would expect. Can’t go wrong with Silver Oak.
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11/14/2020 - pgrzesik Likes this wine: 90 Points
Decanted this wine for 45 minutes prior to drinking and felt that this wine really needed it. The nose was elegant with lots of red fruits, cherries, raspberries, some notes of leather, and a hint of toasted coconut. The palate is medium bodied, nice mouthfeel, but felt a bit thin. There are some green pepper notes with this wine which I am attributing to the difficult 2011 vintage however it is very easy drinking and just overall tasty. Medium finish. Overall really enjoyed this wine.
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5/30/2020 - Volleyball Likes this wine: 92 Points
A good wine but definitely mature, good to drink now.
Medium garnet color. M+ intensity aroma, quite savory, bell pepper with tertiary aromas - stewed plum - dominating. Solid structure - M+ acid and M+ tannins. Finish is long but body is not too full. On the palate, there is still a bit of the stewed fruit but also ripe blackberries and savory, vegetable notes - bell peppers and asparagus. Not a huge wine, quite elegant.
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4/4/2020 - Jeppy wrote: 84 Points
Still drinkable but awkward.
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2/13/2020 - Mel&JC wrote:
Gift from Ellen. It was fantastic.
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12/31/2019 - Mel&JC wrote: 50 Points
Christmas 2019
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8/28/2019 - Pjzlotnik wrote:
Emiio Nares
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8/28/2019 - Pjzlotnik wrote:
Emilo Nares
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2/2/2019 - WineKnut Likes this wine: 91 Points
This is settling down nicely. About 2mm of penetration into a very well preserved cork. I was surprised that the stain on the cork was such a light rose color. Decanted leaving absolutely no sediment in bottle. After 2 hours this was really open and showing nearly all that I expected from this particular SO. There was solid red fruit and vanilla, with hints of truffle and saddle leather. Mouthfeel was fairly light, as were the gently integrated tannins. A very well made and tasty wine indeed, but lacking the decadence that I was hoping for in this price range.
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12/30/2018 - fishkabob wrote: 89 Points
Vegetal, little fruit. Deep red color, softened tannins. Coravined, so maybe it will open up with time.
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11/23/2018 - Grant h wrote:
Art broke into the shower install this bottle on Thanksgiving 2018.
We all had a great time enjoying it or finish it off tonight.
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10/13/2018 - bordeaux456 Likes this wine: 91 Points
This wine has now reached a point where everything has mellowed out, leaving a lovely Silver Oak experience. Firmly in its drinking window now and I think it will be there for a long time. Dense wine, lots of red fruits, long finish. Excellent.
91+
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9/30/2018 - emf Likes this wine: 91 Points
Very light bodied for Silver Oak. Well integrated but a short finish.
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9/1/2018 - FGS Likes this wine: 92 Points
Similar to first tasting notes, but seems to be a bit more integrated, and has more herbal notes. This was the first vintage (at least recently) that wasn’t 100% Cabernet, so a bit of a departure in that regard. Pepper, thyme and dill, with the usual oak and some bright cherry. More recent vintages are a higher blend of Cabernet, where this was just 90%, so a noticeable difference. Seems to be in its window, and would enjoy over the next several years.
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8/25/2018 - WoodrowJr Likes this wine: 95 Points
Tasted like original SOs delicious
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3/4/2018 - AjitK Likes this wine: 90 Points
2011 is drinking nicely now. Quite dry and not as fruity as silver oak tends to be. Has some good leathery tertiary flavors and aromas to it. Not very complex otherwise. Dark fruit pronounced. Medium Finish and legs. Paired well with a lean medium rare filet and sautéed mushrooms.
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2/20/2018 - gmat5497 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very nice.
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11/10/2017 - JJZ Likes this wine: 93 Points
Would buy again
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11/3/2017 - dafmd Likes this wine: 90 Points
ruby, tight nose, medium body, dark fruit, hint cedar, spice, smooth finish, relatively straightforward; increase fruit with aeration
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10/2/2017 - BeaverBob Likes this wine: 92 Points
Getting better all the time.
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8/13/2017 - Frank_A_M wrote: 90 Points
We compared a 2007 to the 2011 at this tasting. The 2007 won. But this writing is to describe the 2011. Very dark color, more European on the front end (a bit earthy like a Bordeaux). Black currants easily recognizable and a smooth chocolate finish. Great balance.
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3/26/2017 - wineloverla wrote:
Delcious
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1/29/2017 - Ryan.Vento Likes this wine: 93 Points
Delicious. After one hour of decanting the vibrant fruits began to show with notes of cedar, cobbler, and some vanilla/oak.
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1/29/2017 - norzano wrote: 86 Points
Decanted for about 3 hours. Took a sip right out of the bottle and was definitely tight. Not sure along the way, but after 3 hours certainly had a lot of herbal, green vegetable notes as others have mentioned. Undertone of vanilla/oak. Oaky tannins on the finish.
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1/25/2017 - TheNeuroticDobermann wrote: 86 Points
Warm, predictable aromas of cassis, graphite, sweet new wood, hints of ripe bell pepper, stewed damsons. Very silken, very eager to please on the palate, with a creamy texture that actually tastes rather odd for my palate, which is accustomed to Old World wines. Creme de cassis, some spice, and a hint of syrup macerated cherries on the palate. Not much else. A little sweet and borderline flabby. Really a fairly soulless anonymous wine, if well-made and not entirely without its charm. Not my style, and the rating I have given it reflects that, but I must concede that it is reasonably good drinking with steak.
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1/4/2017 - 7nuahs Likes this wine: 93 Points
Choo's. I had a glass of it. A little sweet but quite nice. I would buy it.
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12/31/2016 - tshelton12 wrote: 87 Points
Decanted for an hour before drinking. It calmed a bit but is a typical 2011 California Cab. Dry, tons of oak and green pepper notes. This bottle is not with anywhere close to the $70 I paid. Tastes like a $30 bottle.
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12/25/2016 - katiejune@gmail.com Likes this wine:
decanted, served with prime rib dinner...phenomenal
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10/31/2016 - DavilaDC Does not like this wine: 86 Points
Vegetal Green Pepper to the maximum on the palate. Some berry on the nose, but the green pepper dominated there too. The wine's tannins were hefty with a heavy duty weight that made the wine extremely dry and almost a dark purple in the glass. The bottle was not corked or cooked, it was just representative of the 2011 vintage and a typical Sonoma cab.
Bottle was a recent gift.
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10/24/2016 - pitcrewstrategist Likes this wine: 90 Points
Solid performance, decanted for over 30minutes after quick drink- and started to realy shine 45 minutes into meat meal- most excellent drink, very strong, but highly recommend and regard. cassis nose, opened to berry and sharp strong veggie like taste, but great with red meat. drank into evening and through dessert and it got better. Highly recommend good solid decant and time to open up.
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10/2/2016 - Loren Sonkin wrote: 89 Points
Yolanda's Birth Month Wines (Chagrin Falls): Always nice to try these wines. This has nice cassis, some tobacco and some green bell pepper. Honestly, I find that in this wine in most vintages, and for me, nothing that screamed 2011 about it. Not the ripest wine, but I don't find the Alexander bottling to be that ripe in ripe years. The palate is still showing youthful tannins and fruit. Some depth. Not as complex as the 2012, but I think the 2011's, if they ever do come around, will take some time similar to many 98's and 00s. That said, quite enjoyable right now.
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9/23/2016 - RayT wrote: 90 Points
While I dislike most 2011 this did not have the vegetal/bell pepper flavor that I associate with 2011's. As a Pnp this was a touch hot out of the gate. This improved markedly with air. Drank without food which didn't help as Silver Oak is known as a great meal wine. Give this wine a solid decant and you will be rewarded.
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9/7/2016 - Kentong33 Does not like this wine: 50 Points
Worst bottle of silver I have had
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9/4/2016 - wine_454 Likes this wine: 100 Points
Amazon Cabernet with a cherry-berry nose and smokey notes that enhance (not overpower). Loved the silky finish and light tannins.
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7/22/2016 - FGS Likes this wine: 90 Points
Opened nicely to dark fruits, olive and spices. Balanced palate of berries, spice box and bell pepper. Tannins integrated nicely with a smooth finish. While 2011 was a tough vintage, this wine is solid, but would not argue that it's a Silver Oak classic. Not sure how long this will cellar, but should hold for several years. Can imagine this wine getting thin if left too long, but enjoyable now.
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5/29/2016 - vinelouse wrote: 91 Points
Not bad but not worth the money
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5/27/2016 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 90 Points
At Silver Oak this morning, tasted two wines before my Signorello appointment, black fruit, black currants, bell pepper, touch of bell pepper and earthy like Sumatra coffee, more of the same on the palate, tasty this morning, needs 2 years to peak, big body, good acid on a medium/long finish,
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4/30/2016 - Denk2003 wrote:
Nice, soft finish, still young
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4/29/2016 - nzinkgraf wrote:
The Twomey-Duncan family, Ray Twomey-Duncan owner, Justin Meyer - first winemaker. Justin was originally A Christian Brother, eventually fell out of the order. Worked with Andre T at BV, Heitz, and Franciscan. Silver Oak wines were made at Franciscan until the early '90s. Daniel Baron joined the team in '94. He was winemaker after Justin. He's on his way out, though, making way for Nate Weis. 2006 winery burned down. Twomey started with Merlot is '98/99. Now it's 8 PNs and an SB as well.
First vintage was in '72. It has been 100% Cabernet up until 2011 vintage. 2011 is 90% Cab Sauv, 7% Merlot, 2% CF, 1% PV. 24-25 months in American. 40% new, but typically 50/50. They now own their own cooperage in Missouri. Some Illinois and Iowa oak too in the mix. 350 acres of forest purchased in 2000. On the nose, blackberry with substantial mineral. Medium tannin. Some kernel show on the palate. 70,000cs
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4/22/2016 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 90 Points
At Silver Oak this morning, red bell pepper, earthy like Sumatra coffee, and black cherry fruit, more of the same on the palate, very tasty but very young, big body, and medium/long finish with a touch of good acid.
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4/14/2016 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 89 Points
At Silver Oak Oakville this morning, nose of blackberry, dark fruit, rich fruit, more of the same on the palate, medium/big body, tasty but a touch simple, needs 2 years to improve, medium/long finish..
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4/2/2016 - tomoem Does not like this wine: 85 Points
Consumed beside a 2006 Renieri Brunello & a 2011 Hope & Grace Pinot at Azzuro in Peapack NJ. The wine required more decant and certainly more hours to sit than tonight's dinner could provide so I will re-visit this again in the future.
Tonight however, it began as a closed wine with an old world feel, not quite the modern cab I was expecting. Certainly the ever so present Silver Oak notes. These start with oak followed by an oaky almost chewy mouth feel, and ends with a lingering flavors of oak.
Aside from that Mrs Lincoln ......... Here are my more serious notes. It had a slight herbal quality both in the aroma & palette. More mocha than blackberry at the start but you could sense the background of closed fruit wanting to come out. This is followed by earthy flavors and a somewhat harsh tannic feel. Right now this is at best a medium body wine with a medium length finish of lingering cherry. I did not appreciate this wine but felt that there was something in the wine which felt like it could someday. Do not drink these yet. Wait several years.
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3/3/2016 - La Cave d'Argent wrote: 86 Points
Served by gracious hosts but enjoyed with caveats, this deep ruby Cabernet was a nice accompaniment to a beautifully seared filet mignon. Aromas and flavors of cassis, vanilla and pickling spice are followed by similar flavors on a medium-bodied, freshly acidic palate. The alcohol (listed as 13.7%) is nicely integrated, but the tannins have jagged edges and the middle palate lacks in density. Medium in length and a bit astringent on the finish, this Silver Oak offering is a victim of the vintage. Drink now-2020.
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2/16/2016 - BklynNeophyte wrote:
junk
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2/7/2016 - partylikeakennedy wrote: 91 Points
Getting better. Lavender, green pepper, floral nose. Soft tannins on the palate, whispery fruits, smooth and quiet. Impressive for a 2011.
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2/6/2016 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 90 Points
At Silver Oak 2011 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon Release Party today, a surprise opportunity to taste the Alexander Valley today, nose of black cherry, plum, red bell pepper and dusty, dry forest floor, much more open with more fruit showing today compared to previous tastings, medium/big body, tasty, needs three years to peak or decant for five hours, medium finish.
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1/24/2016 - markness wrote:
Gave to Amy for 35 Bday.
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1/8/2016 - Dave60607 Does not like this wine:
Decanted for 3 hours and was still closed. I would age this for a couple more years maybe 4 or 5 more. A disappointing bottle now especially for the price. I am sure time would change this wine for the better. Not worth buying and drinking without more time in the bottle.
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12/29/2015 - Cyberpana wrote: 90 Points
Kind of harsh, but a good full bodied Cabernet. Very nice berries, pepper and wood
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12/26/2015 - Hannahgirl wrote: 90 Points
Excellent, smooth, great body. Extremely enjoyable. No need to wait to drink this 2011.
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12/17/2015 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 89 Points
At Silver Oak this afternoon, nose of subdued black cherry fruit, dusty earth, sage, and a touch of mocha, more of the same on the palate, medium/big body, in a dumb stage at the moment, tasty but mellow, either age for 2 years or decant for 2 hours before serving, medium finish today.
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12/13/2015 - Keeping It Real Likes this wine: 94 Points
first off, i think a lot of the low ratings (88-90pts) are because they did not aerate the wine long enough.
Popped the bottle open and tasted it right away. it seemed a bit tight, not a lot of flavors coming out. the nose however was very different with profound wood and oak notes. upon tasting without aerating, i could barely taste the oak and it was a decent 88-90pt wine. tasted again after 1 hr and it was still the same. after 2 hrs it tasted more rounded with silky finish. 3 hrs and was getting better. i had my last glass approaching the 4th hr and it was just magnificent. the oak has really come out at this point and it was hitting my palate strong. oaky, black fruit, silky, creamy, just wonderful.
i initially rated this wine 90pts after i first tasted it after an hr of aerating. i am now returning to edit the post to give it 94pts. it is just very different from a lot of the other wines ive tasted and it does it very well to say the least. awesome wine, obvious wood aging components in there.
one thing to note. there are a lot of silver oak bashers out there. but it really comes down to your palate, whether you like the oak and wood components or not. i usually like to save a glass for the next day to see how the flavors have changed but i just ended up finishing everything because it was that good.
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11/27/2015 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 88 Points
At Silver Oak this morning, nose of dusty earth, bell pepper, herbs and dark fruit, more of the same on the palate, medium/big body, in a dumb stage at the moment, subdued fruit, tasty but needs 3 years to peak, liked least among the four Cabernet Sauvignons tasted today.
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11/24/2015 - smartmass wrote: 90 Points
Very big
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11/12/2015 - Vailman Likes this wine: 90 Points
Enjoyed at a charity event. Subtle nose, medium fruit and medium finish. Tannins not quite integrated but in all fairness this was a pnp event. Pleasant but I was expecting more from this label. I'll chalk it up to the difficult growing season.
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11/10/2015 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 90 Points
At Silver Oak this morning, closed nose of dusty earth, bell pepper, and dark fruit, more of the same on the palate, medium/big body, slightly subdued fruit, mouth filling, needs 3 years to improve, or decant for 2 hours if you wish to drink it today, tasty, liked least among the three Cabernet Sauvignons tasted here this morning.
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10/22/2015 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 92 Points
At Silver Oak today, I was told most tasters like the wine and very little negative feedback about the first time break from the tradition of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon instead it was blended with 7% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot, due to the challenge of the 2011 vintage. Nose of herbs, mocha, black cherry fruit, and earth, more of the same on the palate, medium/big body, slightly subdued, well blended, delicious, long finish.
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9/19/2015 - yeti575rider wrote: 88 Points
Another extremely popular wine that just isn't my style. Too me there's always too much oak and harsh tannins. Nose very peppery.
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9/4/2015 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 90 Points
At Silver Oak today, I was told very little feedback about the first time blending of this wine and the break from the tradition of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon instead it was blended with 7% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot, due to the challenge of the 2011 vintage. Nose of herbs, black cherry fruit, less merlot driven today than on Release Day, hints of mocha and earth, more of the same on the palate, medium/big body, almost fruit forward today, tasty, and a long, long finish.
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8/1/2015 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 92 Points
Silver Oak Release Party. This wine is a break from the tradition of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon instead it was blended with 7% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot, due to the challenge of the 2011 vintage. Aromatic and open on the nose, baker's chocolate, ripe fruit, raspberry, black cherry fruit, hints of mocha and earth, more of the same on the palate, medium/big body, Merlot evident today on the mid palate, bright forward tasting fruit, delicious, ready to enjoy, long, long finish with a hint of oak.
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