Fresh green Cab-styled notes (in that swampy kind-a-way) to the nose. In a tasty way, not decidedly underripe or off at all. Swamp and coconut oil to the palate. Lots of fruit, solid drinking. med/- tannin
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Deep ruby in complexion, leather, surprisingly slightly oaky for a wine this old. Blueberry and blackberry round out the profile. Mighty smooth, aged delightfully with remarkable balance and bright acidity. The tannins are well integrated and the finish is long and decadent. This is a delicious Cabernet from Silver oak.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
First Super Bowl wine - still hanging. Red & Black berry flavors with some secondary characteristics. One bottle left in cellar. Will it last until 2028, IDK?
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted for about an hour. There was some sediment, but not overwhelming. Dark garnet color with nice legs. Light musk, slate, cranberry and some alcohol on the nose. Light to medium body on the palate. Dark fruit, dates, slate, and slightly tart. Very slight tannins. Moderate peppery finish. Very nice bottle.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Was afraid I waited to long as I usually do. Drinking fine and based on the lingering tannins, still has a little time, just probably past its peak. Dark garnet color, fruit full nose & smooth in mouth. Blueberry, cherry, prune & molasses notes for me. Still showing some tannins. Certainly structured & balanced as you would expect from Silver Oak.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Waited for Ben’s 50th birthday and our 24th anniversary. Blackberry on the nose, minerality on the pallete that opens to a smooth transition into a burst of fruit and balanced dryness.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Drinking very well. Benefited from a few hours' open time, well balanced between fruit and tannins. Paired perfectly with filet mignon and a garlic/thyme/wine reduction. Still a few years to go but not longer.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Drinking beautifully; likely at its peak. Notable blackberry fruit with cedar and spicy notes. superbly balanced tannins and acidity. Really elegant and makes the case for California Cabs.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Bright red colour. A more delicate and floral wine today than it’s muscular self tasted in youth. Lots of blue and white flowers for the bouquet. Dark plums and blackberry fruit, some cassis. Dark fruits continue on the palate with some blueberries and blackberry fruit. Some flinty and spicy notes weave into the finish with a backbone of ceder. W&S said in 2010 it would age gracefully and they were spot on. Lots of grace, but as Mr Pitt said…you can’t have too much grace. I think the wine has reached its peak albeit with still a youthful tendency, but I would say drink now.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
The benefit of this app is that we get to taste and rate the wines long after release date and closer to equilibrium and peak. This wine is beautiful having waited. Still a lively garnet colour with a clay rim. Lots of red and black fruit on the nose with an underlying menthol and liquorice note. Beautiful equilibrium of constituents yet still vibrant. Some old world notes on the palate that back up the fruit with cocoa and cigar box, and follows with a solid backbone of cassis. At its peak and will be for a few years.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Nose of black cherry, spring flowers, briar, bell pepper, and mushrooms, more of the same on the palate, big body, at peak, mouth filling fruit, tasty, holding well and last another 5 years, I think you enjoy it now rather thn later, and a medium/long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
My penultimate bottle. Dark ruby purple still. Really very little sign of age. Only aggressive swirling brings notes of dark blue fruits and a hint of mint on the nose. On the palate clean and fresh and honest cabernet flavours. No nonsense stuff, like Smith Madrone but with hefty tannic charge still. This is no sipper - it needs food, preferably steak. On this showing, not nearly ready.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Silver Oak Healdsburg Tasting: The 2008 Alexander Valley honestly didn’t present as too different than the 2016. It has evolved with a little more flavor complexity and is now a little softer, but the predominant experience is still of oak. Drink over the next five years or so.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Deep garnet in color. First nose of old oak - almost like barn wood and a bit of cinder. Second nose has more dark cherry, raspberry, cola, and a bit of chocolate on top of oak. Bold fruit on the pallet with a tannic finish. Mellows with time in the glass.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Bold and youthful, with layers of black cherries, creme de cassis, smoke, char, and toasted sage. So much brightness, freshness, and complexity, with classic AV Cabernet elegance, proportion, and backbone. It is gracefully maturing, culminating with espresso and crushed rocks on a long, dark-fruited, minerally finish. Lots of upside with further cellaring.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
One hour decant is plenty. It is ready. Soft tannins, medium bodied and suited to any beef or hearty dish. Black cherry and blackberry on the palate. Nice acidity. Enjoy.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Classic Silver Oak. Cherry, raspberry and a bit of Cola on the palate. Silky smooth with nicely integrated tannins. I prefer the Alexander Valley because it has less of an oaky feel than the Napa. This was oakier than usual but still delicious.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted 3hrs, cork should have been opened with ah so and broke into decanter. Texture round and velvety, exhibiting blackberry on the finish. It paired perfectly with grilled NY strip. It didn't have any more complexity on the finish but was definitely enjoyable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Classic good vintage Silver Oak. Drinking well now but still has the better part of a decade left. Sweet American oak is leading and brings some medium tannins, even 12 years after vintage. Black and blue fruits peek out. The style isn't really about subtlety or sophisticated balance, it is about enjoyment and clarity of profile. This achieves that goal well.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Quality wine, though I am not sure that it is worth the price. Nice notes of sage, cherry and dried fruit on the nose. Solid mid palate, nice finish with some interesting acidity. Like I said, not my favorite cab, but it went well with some honking big T-bone steaks. A note on Silver Oak from within the trade, if you ever have the opportunity to attend an industry party at the estate, go for it. They through the best parties, lots of wines, older vintages and great food.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Drank with Australian Wagyu steak. I’ve been building a vertical in this so was eager to try the first in line before it got too old. Very elegant, quite understated for a CA Cab - perhaps the difference between Alexander and Napa Valleys? Not a big fruit bomb. Beautifully cut the richness of the Wagyu. Decanted for a short while then savored in the glass. Was an absolute bargain with a $25 corkage fee compared to the $195 the restaurant was charging for the 2015.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tasted at Silver Oak this morning, nose of black cherry, spring flowers, sage, and mushrooms, more of the same on the palate, big body, almost at peak, mouth filling fruit, new bottle opened a few minutes earlier, holding well, more cellar time should help the score, and a medium/long finish with a pleasant aftertaste.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Don’t know if it was just this bottle but this was in a great drinking window. The oak that is usually prominent has integrated yet there was still a foundation of fruit. Far exceeded expectations.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Classic subtle oak. Perfect Cabernet for big meals. Moderate tannins. Drink now. Balanced fruit and acid. Another tapered finish. Not as big up front as expected. Great fullness of flavors. Napa cab from a place that's only Cabernet. Exactly what you expect from this Vineyard and every Cabernet.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Absolutely delicious expression of Cabernet Sauvignon. This 2008 was full of fresh dark berries. The tannins were soft with right amount of acidity too. Leather notes, chewy. Well balanced with a long finish. A sonoma Cab is more elegant than a Napa cab to my taste buds (see alexander valley) I am not a big fan of Silver Oak, but I'd say this is one of the better California Cabs I have had. Will cellar longer and soften more. Ready to drink now for sure
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
This rating is posted as a response to WHCARVER who didn't store his/her bottle correctly and decided to skew the average with a dumb 75 rating. and he/she is not accepting responses to his rating. I am having this bottle 12/20 and will post a thoughtful rating then
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
The wine looks purple colored. The legs are medium. There is light sediment in the bottle. It smells like sherry and acetic acid. Typically my favorite wine. These were slightly sour. I believe due to improper storage on my part.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
A decade on the 2008 Alexander Valley Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon has developed nicely—it's spent 24 months in barrel with another 15 months of bottle conditioning prior to release. Red currant, sweet red cherries, cassis, loamy soil, cinnamon bark, and vanilla bean anoint the nose. For a Sonoma Cabernet, it's lighter in style, and medium-bodied. The tannins are well integrated, revealing through their neatly woven latticework, a finish of sweet tobacco and pencil shavings emerge. 13.9% ABV | Sample
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
At the new Silver Oak Cellars Healdsburg this morning, nose of black berry, black cherry, and briar, same on the palate, big body, bottle opened earlier this morning, very tasty, not elegant almost mouth filling, rich fruit, needs five years to peak, and a long, long finish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
In a good place right now. Smooth and delicious. Vanilla, oak and berries on the nose, with a smooth entry, integrated tannins, nice fruit and a bit of smoked meat (?) thru the finish. Drink now IMHO.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Man, this is just terrific stuff. A solid 91 Pointer, which is extremely high for me. There’s something about Silver Oak that just tickles my taste buds, regardless of its Alexander or Napa.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
At Silver Oak this morning, nose of black berry, black cherry, allspice, roasted coffee must, and sage, same on the palate, big body, showing well this morning, very tasty, not elegant but refined, showing secondary character this morning, almost mouth filling, rich and sexy fruit noted, tasted 3 times from 3 different bottles, at its best, and a long, long finish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
This stuff is totally ready to go. For whatever reason I had always been put off by the Silver Oak AV, given the geography of its more revered brother but likely because I was just drinking it too young, but I was completely surprised by this; the play by play while consuming: Jumps in the glass, starting to turn a nice hue of burgundy, notes of eucalyptus with taste that follows; fine tannins. This is drinking solidly and perfectly. 93+
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tasted at Twomey against the 2013. Dark, nice nose of cherries and violets, lighter body than most cabs, still plenty of tannin. Good but not very complex. Probably at peak within a year or two.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
At Silver Oak this morning, nose of black berry, black cherry, herbs, mocha, same on the palate, medium/big body, fairly fruit forward today, almost mouth filling, rich fruit, touch subdued today, not as tasty as the 2013 SOA today, enjoy with a modest decant or age another 2 years to show its best, and a long, long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tasted at Silver Oak this morning, nose of black berry and black cherry, more black than red today, same on the palate, medium/big body, fairly fruit forward today, mouth filling fruit today, a big step up from the 2013 SOA today, this wine is ready to drink now and will easily last another ten years, and a long, long finish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
A good wine but not the best QPR (what else is new in Napa?), I liked my 2007 Melanson Matthew's Block from the night before better. Agree this is a leaner style and well made, just not a wow experience.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tasted at Silver Oak this morning, nose of rich black berry, black cherry, spring flowers, and lots of sage, same on the palate, medium/big body, soft, almost mouth filling fruit today, very easy to sip and savor when compared to the 2013, this wine is ready to drink if you own it, very well done for a tough vintage, almost elegant, and a long, long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
My neighbor brought this over who is a big Silver Oak fan. Dark ruby fruit - dark cherry, currants, blackberry, and a little plum. Smooth mid-palate but the fruit came across a little light especially next to a 2013 Kamen cab. More of an elegant style. Nice finish but not overly long nor deep. Decanted for around one hour and we drank it over a couple more. Improved a little with time. In all, a decent bottle but I was somewhat underwhelmed especially next to the Kamen which was a bigger/fuller wine and clearly more my style. 100% cab.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Did not take proper notes. Looked back at last entry though. A year later this wine a evolved nicely and I think in a great drinking window. Decanted for maybe 30 min and was nice for what it is. Did not evolve much so I will drink the remaining three bottles with in a year or two.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tasted 6 times over 3 hours at the Silver Oak Release Day Party, nose of rich black berry, black cherry, sage, and mocha chocolate, same on the palate, big body, rich tasting, really shows well today when compared to the 2013, this wine continues to improve and easily last another 15 years, almost elegant, lingering rich fruit and complex flavors on the palate, and a long, long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Garnet in color with a nice nose of berries and cherry liqueur. On the palate blackberry and currant. This is a medium bodied, smooth, and elegant wine with soft tannins. I use to thoroughly enjoy this bottle but I have moved away from this style and have been drinking some big cabs.
With that said this is a good vintage of Silver Oak and it is definitely a food friendly wine in that it will not overpower the meal and has some flexibility as to what it can be served with. 90+
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
On opening had an aroma of fuel but after 5hrs of decanting the aromas had changed with good fruit, cherry and blackberry notes with a hint of pepper. Good balance with soft tannins - some oakiness that did not overbear the other flavors. Went very well with steak. Finish was long and left you wanting more.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
While this did have more flavor than the Mayacamas 08 Cab up front, it did not finish anywhere near as well, and frankly I did not like the Mayacamas. There is a blueberry dominant flavor with a small degree of fresh asphalt which was interesting but not in the style of Cab that I like. I don't see this improving.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Still a saturated dark ruby purple. Classic cab nose of blackcurrants, cigars and some cold fire embers. Sweet dark silky fruit and lovely soft tannins. Creamy American oak and sensible alcohol (13.9%). Perhaps not the most concentrated wine out there but delicious nonetheless and just made for a juicy steak.
I know Silver Oak comes in for some stick sometimes but this really is classic benchmark Californian cabernet and £58 per bottle all in from the Wine Society, is excellent QPR. Drinking well right now.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Nose of black cherry fruit, black berry, black currants, boysenberry and sage, more of the same on the palate, big body, delicious with beef/cheese enchiladas tonight, starting to show well, and a long finish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Nice with Thanksgiving dinner. Ripe fruit on the nose. Dark ruby color with slow legs. Nice full mouth feel. Dark fruit up front. Slight pepper on the finish. Nicely balanced. About one hour to open up nicely.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
pop and poured with dinner. Went well with NY Strip. Alcohol was high at the beginning and gradually got better within a hour. Not sure if this needs more time to settle down or it is what it is. Will revisit in 6 months.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Excellent example of what Alexander Valley can offer in its Cabernets. Full bodied with a lasting finish. Wonderful nose of dark berries that opens more and more with time. Always a safe wine for most occasions. Lovely!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted for 1 hr. Nose of plum, cured meats. The palate delivered ripe red fruits (cherry, plum, strawberry), black pepper with chalky tannins. Overall, this SO was smooth and fairly balanced, with the exception of being a bit too ripe on the palate for my liking. It had decent structure and acidity to make it interesting; however, its not a good QPR.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Aerated and decanted for one hour. After a couple of disappointing bottles of Silver Oak, this was much better. Big cab with dark fruit and spice. Initially the tannin was too strong and a bit closed, but after another half hour really opened up.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Opened up nicely with time. A very elegant Silver Oak with tastes of dark fruit and some oak with a nice finish. Will continue to improve for a few more years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
At Silver Oak this morning, today the wine shows improved development over the taste three weeks ago, with rich, black cherry fruit, bell pepper, and dusty earth on the nose, more of the same on the palate, big body, very tasty, this morning it tastes delicious, still 3 years away from being it's best, really showed well today, and a long finish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
At Silver Oak today, nose of rich, black cherry fruit, plum, and herbs, more of the same on the palate, big body, delicious, really showed well today, and a long finish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Aroma: Rich, almost jammy blackberry with notes of buttered mushrooms and grilled meat. Hints of green pepper. Palate: spicy plum, cherry and blackberry evolves to roasted meat, graphite, toast. Maturing tannins and good acidity. Good but not great.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
At Silver Oak today, nose of rich, black cherry fruit, herbs, dusty earth and tea leaves, not dried out just subdued and not rich, more of the same on the palate, big body, delicious, long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Good but not great...always a crowd pleaser especially when they get to see the label first. Straight forward, still having plenty of fruit and oak with typically soft tannins. Drink now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Silver Oak Release Party Special Tasting, nose of rich, black currants, mocha, anise, and black cherry fruit, more of the same on the palate, big body, delicious, has aged gracefully the last three years, long. long finish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
I have never been a huge fan of Silver Oak, so my expectations were exceeded with this wine. It opened up nicely to a nice Cab. Some depth, with tannins that had peeled back after an hour decant. Not super complex but a pleasant wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Not so impressive but nor frustrating, Good example of well aged Cali CAB, I heard this winery is not typical Napa style but bordeaux-oriented style. I has been rounded and soften characters and I just felt chilean nuance which has dried herb, mentol, hazed eucalyptus, a bit of mushrooms. Totally good to drink now but expect can aged several years
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Nose of black cherry fruit, pencil lead, and earth, more of the same on the palate, needs time to improve, starting to develop complexity and secondary flavors, medium/big body, and long finish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Really nice and seems to have improved over my previous bottle. Well balanced dark fruit with smoke, leather and graphite. Integrated tannins but seems like this can go much longer. Planning to drink now-2023
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
This is already a wonderful drink of wine. I knew this '08 would still be tannic, but I assumed it might be a great match for our beef rib roast. Finally, I assumed correctly. The fatty beef broke down the tannins perfectly, yet the wine was big enough that it wasn't overpowered at the same time. This was so smooth and nicely balanced even at this early age. I will save the next bottle for at least two more years, but many years of potential life remains within this Cab. A real bargain at $44.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
At Mom's 75th b-day party, split this bottle with Frank. Drank after an 01 Montelena...
Very classic Silver Oak nose of vanilla oak and dark fruits. Palate is rich with dark fruit, plums, american oak and cedar. Has mellowed a bit since last bottle I had, tannins starting to resolve. Medium to long finish. Improving...
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Jammy, leggy, juicy. But a little pricey for the quality. We let this one breathe for a while and enjoyed it with hanger steak. It was good, but probably won't seek it out.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Had a glass from a tasting. Temp was perfect. Dark, deep red in color. Dark cherry on the nose with hints of graphite and earth. Taste was more cherry, berry and spice rather than the minimal taste of earth. Very good and would drink again if it was half the price.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Nice Bottle of wine. I drank on Friday night with pizza. I enjoyed this 2008 Silver Oak Alexander Valley. I had this Bottle next to the 2007 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet and the 2008 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet. The 2008 Silver Oak Alexander Valley won hands down. I always usually like Silver Oak! Justin Meyer would be rolling in his grave. 93 Points. The OKC Kid
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Clear purplish-brown with rim browning. Leather, green pepper, cinnamon. Low acid, medium tannins. Tar and leather on the palate. Long finish with some acids. Still has a lot of life.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Straight 100% cab, not the blend offered in the more expensive Napa version. Opened and decantured for 2 hours and although quite enjoyable it was not as spectatcular as expected. Medium bodied with a medium finish. Soft tannins but definately possessed the CA Cab offering.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Not as good as my first bottle. This seemed a bit closed off, even with air. But there was still plenty of fruit to be had. The finish is what drops off quickly. Still quite good.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very enjoyable and drinkable at the moment. Well rounded balanced flavours, hint of vanilla coming through. Not packing a huge punch however and will be drinking my remaining bottles over the next year or so.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tasted at Silver Oak today with Kathy. Nose of blackberry, spice, green pepper, and earth, more of the same on the palate, needs time to improve, medium/big body, and medium/long finish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Nose of dark berry and graphite, full lush palate with ripe berry fruit and lots of vanilla/baking spice notes.
Okay, it's a solid cab and all, but I tasted three SO's today (others Napa 05 and 08) and all of them just finished so flat. This was the least of the offenders, but maybe it just wasn't as obvious because the fruit wasn't gigantic.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tasted at Silver Oak five vintages of Alexander Valley. Nose of blackberry, spice, and earth, more of the same on the palate, tasty today, medium/big body, and medium/long finish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Exceptional even without much decanting. I was a little leery since the 2009 we had before was not good and we actually returned it to the store. We thought it was the American Oak but perhaps we just had a bad bottle. The 2008 Alex Valley is certainly a good cab,worth the $75 retail price and on our shopping list again...
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Consumed over 3 days, note from day 3. Nose: Medium plus expressiveness, black berry, cassis, black licorice, and shoe leather. Palate: Medium-full bodied, sweet dark fruit attack, joined by a nice spice kick mid-palate, flavor intensity builds nicely through the back-end. Finish: Medium plus length dominated by spicy dark fruit. A good example of the quintessential Cally cab, held up very well over 3 days (vacuvined).
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Dark-medium color in glass. Prominent roasted coffee oak on the nose, with ripe raspberry emerging and the oak receding a bit with air. On the palate, pure primary fruit shaded with minty oak, medium bodied. Just a touch of acidity, huge tannins. With air the tannins softened considerably but the wine seemed to grow lighter and the alcohol came forward. Overall, this was best immediately upon opening. Unlikely to ever be better than it is now, but quite decent for its style. 14.1% abv. With DKD and Ray at Trulucks.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Metallic on the nose that settles out with some air. Pleasing enough to order with a steak dinner, however I can think of many others that I would choose at this price point. Medium body and finish. Score [50 + 5 + 11 + 16 + 7 ] = 89. Tasted at Ruth's Chris in Columbus, OH.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted about 6 hours and consumed with an aged ribeye. Pleasant, run of the mill CA cab nose. Fairly simple, fruit forward profile: dark fruits, vanilla, maybe some cedar and a touch of something green, and certainly oak (no surprise). Medium bodied, medium finish. Tannins very present, yet smooth enough. Room to age. Received as a gift; not a producer I seek out.
Paired with the Double Breasted Chicken tonight at Flemings. Nose of black cherry/berry, and earth, more of the same on the palate, opened slowly and steadily over the two hour dinner, starting to develop, fairly complex, medium/big body, and medium/long finish.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Served from magnum at Sarah and Paul's and served with grilled ribeye. Better than the last bottle I had but nat nearly as good as the 07 Picconerro, 04 Chateau Montrose or 05 Far Niente we had with dinner.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tasted at Silver Oak today with Sam. Nose of blackberry with a touch of briar, earth and sharp forest floor today, medium/big body, and medium/long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tasted at Silver Oak. Better tasting than last visit. Nose of blackberry, spice, and earth, more of the same on the palate, briary today, starting to show layers of richness, medium/big body, and medium/long finish.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
An ok wine. Lots of dark fruits, oak, a little heat. Well-composed and not as fat as I expected (1st time w/ this producer) but still pretty boring. This is very standard and more like a $25-30 wine than a $70 one.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Restaurant Pour: Victoria and Alberts, 2013 ... Lush, creamy and full. Classic Cali cabernet. Fruit forward, with hints of cream and vanilla. Extremely rich and almost decadent. Reliably wonderful, year in and out. Paired perfectly with Kobe-style filet.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Big, buttery and oaky with ripe currant and toast on the nose. Full and toasty, well-balanced palate; sweet-centred but with an elegance afforded via the 2008 vintage. Good balancing tannin and finish. 4/5
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tasted at Silver Oak. Nose of blackberry, spice, and earth, more of the same on the palate, more briary and earthy today than previous bottles, hints of mushrooms, medium/big body, and medium/long finish. Enjoyed twice, similar results.
1 person found this helpful / Comment
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tasted at Silver Oak. Nose of blackberry, spice, earth, and cedar, more of the same on the palate, touch of briar, earth and sharp forest floor today, medium/big body, and medium/long finish. Tasted 3 times today, similar results.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
This is a good bottle of wine, even though it is still young. High tannins are present, but this will not stop you from enjoying a glass. I would like to try an earlier vintage, or perhaps the same vintage in a few years.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tasted at Silver Oak. Nose of blackberry, spice, earth, and cedar, more of the same on the palate, touch of briar and earth today, medium/big body, and medium/long finish. Tasty.
Tasted at Silver Oak. Lovely nose of dark fruit with hints of blackberry, allspice, and earth, more of the same on the palate, medium/big body, medium finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tasted at Silver Oak today twice. Lovely nose of dark fruit with hints of blackberry, allspice, and earth, more of the same on the palate, medium/big body, medium finish. It is slowly improving in complexity during the last year, needs 4 more years to peak.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tasted at Silver Oak Cellars, slightly close nose compared to two weeks ago. Nose of blackberry, spice, earth, and cedar, more of the same on the palate, improving fairly quickly in the bottle, medium/big body, and medium/long finish. Tasty.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
with double decant and let sit for several hours, this opened up as a huge positive surprise... much improved from previous tastings... will hold and try again in a few years
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Way too young, but shows great promise. Big and restrained, not jammy. Needs 5 years to settle, but will then be great! 90 now, 92 or higher with cellaring!
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
This wine is an example of paying for the name. While it was a good wine and pleasant, it has no business at this price point. Not a bold Cabernet at all with no real tannins that I could feel. To me this was particularly fruity with some black cherry, currant hints and some oakiness and spicier notes. Decent feel and finish but not overwhelmingly impressive. This vintage does not scream Silver Oak at all.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tasted at Silver Oak. Lovely intense black cherry nose with hints of mushrooms, vanilla, and earth, more of the same on the palate with medium, soft tannins, very open today, large improvement on both the nose and palate compared to three months ago, will improve with five more years of age, rich medium/long finish,
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tasted at Silver Oak. Nose of blackberry, spice, earth, and cedar, more of the same on the palate, touch of briar and earth today, medium/big body, and medium/long finish. Tasty.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tasted as part of a three vintage vertical of the '04, '05 and the '08. Perhaps reflecting its youth, the '08 opened a bit awkward, slightly hot with some black cherry tartness edge, but over the course of the evening it evolved to be more similar to the '05, medium to full bodied, nicely polished, moderately complex, dark, black berry and black currant fruits, hints of clove spice and touch of pepper with moderate firm smooth tannins on the finish.
good nose, but off finish... finish will probably get better in a few years... even so, this would be a 92ish wine at peak... not the stellar silver oak of previous vintages
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
At Chef Geoff's in DC with Joe D. Limited wine list, interesting and good food. they advertised the 07, only had the 08.
Silver Oak nose and palate right out of the chute. Dark fruits, plum, fruit forward. Slightly heavy and still very tannic. For Silver Oak fans, this isn't quite there yet. Suspect it will improve as tannins soften. Not a bog vintage, so fruit seems like it will not have the long life of other SO vintages
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Black cherry and plum aromas with hint of kirsch. Lots of black fruit flavors, forward and slightly simple. Slightly hot finish. Better with food than on its own.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Trying the second day of bottle being open. Slightly alcoholic nose. Not a big full Cabernet, but it is decent. Based on the second day of being open, I don't see this wine lasting more than five years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Lovely nose of rich dark fruit, plum, and cedar, more of the same on the palate, opened the next night and revisited, bigger nose and better fruit on the palate, needs about five years to mature.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
*Tasted at the winery* Dark cherries, sandalwood, blackberry pie, dark chocolate and warm gravel. Beautiful nose. Dark berries dominating the fruit-side on the palate. Big and delicious mouth feel. Powerful and delicate at the same time. Follows the nose and impressed me with overall balance. Would last for several years to come. 92+
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tasted alongside the 08 Napa and a couple older vintages was my least favorite. There is good fruit and I know it will soften a touch but it is lacking the vibrancy and complexity of the Napa
Silver Oak is not a wine i'd cellar for more than 15 years. For my taste the 01, 05 and 07 are the best vintages...the 01 is drinking very nicely
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Lovely intense black cherry nose with hints of mushrooms, vanilla, and earth, more of the same on the palate but note medium, soft tannins, opens nicely, will improve with five more years of age, rich medium/long finish, taste twenty times, similar results. Probably earn two to four more points in five years. Note this special 40th anniversary label has the same wine in the bottle as the usual Alexander Valley label.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tasted at Brix in Omaha. Nose: Medium plus expressiveness, black berry, earth, saddle leather and mint. Palate: Full bodied, nice balance, sweet dark fruit up front with just a little spice kick carries nicely all the way thru to the back-end where it ends with a 30+ second finish dominated by lush dark fruit. Just what I expected from Silver Oak - not real complex but very tasty.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Had this at dinner with a Delmonico steak at Capital Grille. Outstanding nose full of cherry, vanilla and mild oak. 2nd glass was more complex than the first. Outstanding wine and there is plenty of life left in this vintage.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Drank for 40th anniversary at the Napa winery and since had multiple samples from different bottles this review is an overall rating from that day. I found the wine to be quite approachable despite such an early age with a firm black fruit start, medium oak and managable tannins. This AV vintage will age well drinking between 5-10 years from release.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This shows lots of concentrated blackberry, sweet black cherries, anise, leather and some caramel notes. Full, round and supple with a satisfying finish. (Drink 2012-2018)
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted 6 hours. Nose and flavors of pine resin, wood and cherries. Very heavy on the oak, still pulling splinters out. If you like chewing on a pine tree, this wine is for you, otherwise a pass.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
2/15/2024 - Clrv wrote:
Little past its prime territorial notes are forward now. Enough tannins to to still hold this together a little but not long
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/21/2023 - WinoWatt Likes this wine: 83 Points
Leather, some nice fruit.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/23/2023 - woodsheri wrote:
Bottle was bad. Waited to late to drink.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/28/2023 - nzinkgraf wrote:
Fresh green Cab-styled notes (in that swampy kind-a-way) to the nose. In a tasty way, not decidedly underripe or off at all. Swamp and coconut oil to the palate. Lots of fruit, solid drinking. med/- tannin
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/14/2023 - Davefrisk wrote:
Tasty
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/27/2023 - Kashvino Likes this wine: 96 Points
Deep ruby in complexion, leather, surprisingly slightly oaky for a wine this old. Blueberry and blackberry round out the profile. Mighty smooth, aged delightfully with remarkable balance and bright acidity. The tannins are well integrated and the finish is long and decadent. This is a delicious Cabernet from Silver oak.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/21/2023 - Moonlight Farms Likes this wine: 91 Points
Enjoyed with reversed seared pork chops. The time is now - not sure it’s worth waiting longer.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/19/2023 - centrocampo Likes this wine: 91 Points
Decant for an hour. Nicely balanced with some cherry, but yet firm and dry on the palate. Very enjoyable with lighter cheeses, charcuterie.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/12/2023 - AAJR Likes this wine: 91 Points
First Super Bowl wine - still hanging. Red & Black berry flavors with some secondary characteristics. One bottle left in cellar. Will it last until 2028, IDK?
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/24/2022 - Coswinetaster Likes this wine: 92 Points
Decanted for about an hour. There was some sediment, but not overwhelming. Dark garnet color with nice legs. Light musk, slate, cranberry and some alcohol on the nose. Light to medium body on the palate. Dark fruit, dates, slate, and slightly tart. Very slight tannins.
Moderate peppery finish. Very nice bottle.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/12/2022 - Botte515 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Was afraid I waited to long as I usually do. Drinking fine and based on the lingering tannins, still has a little time, just probably past its peak. Dark garnet color, fruit full nose & smooth in mouth. Blueberry, cherry, prune & molasses notes for me. Still showing some tannins. Certainly structured & balanced as you would expect from Silver Oak.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/4/2022 - Pameladallen Likes this wine: 92 Points
Waited for Ben’s 50th birthday and our 24th anniversary. Blackberry on the nose, minerality on the pallete that opens to a smooth transition into a burst of fruit and balanced dryness.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/8/2022 - TwoSmoochies wrote: 90 Points
Balanced but boring
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/24/2022 - wbduval Likes this wine: 93 Points
Drinking very well. Benefited from a few hours' open time, well balanced between fruit and tannins. Paired perfectly with filet mignon and a garlic/thyme/wine reduction. Still a few years to go but not longer.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/21/2022 - jb@jbisme.com Likes this wine: 91 Points
Still pretty tannic. Plums, cassis, fresh leather and woody notes.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/1/2022 - deschamp52 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Drinking beautifully; likely at its peak. Notable blackberry fruit with cedar and spicy notes. superbly balanced tannins and acidity.
Really elegant and makes the case for California Cabs.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/20/2022 - Bosbevok Likes this wine: 94 Points
Bright red colour. A more delicate and floral wine today than it’s muscular self tasted in youth. Lots of blue and white flowers for the bouquet. Dark plums and blackberry fruit, some cassis. Dark fruits continue on the palate with some blueberries and blackberry fruit. Some flinty and spicy notes weave into the finish with a backbone of ceder. W&S said in 2010 it would age gracefully and they were spot on. Lots of grace, but as Mr Pitt said…you can’t have too much grace. I think the wine has reached its peak albeit with still a youthful tendency, but I would say drink now.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/8/2021 - Bosbevok Likes this wine: 94 Points
The benefit of this app is that we get to taste and rate the wines long after release date and closer to equilibrium and peak. This wine is beautiful having waited. Still a lively garnet colour with a clay rim. Lots of red and black fruit on the nose with an underlying menthol and liquorice note. Beautiful equilibrium of constituents yet still vibrant. Some old world notes on the palate that back up the fruit with cocoa and cigar box, and follows with a solid backbone of cassis. At its peak and will be for a few years.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/1/2021 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 92 Points
Nose of black cherry, spring flowers, briar, bell pepper, and mushrooms, more of the same on the palate, big body, at peak, mouth filling fruit, tasty, holding well and last another 5 years, I think you enjoy it now rather thn later, and a medium/long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/1/2021 - gouldcampbell77 wrote: 92 Points
My penultimate bottle. Dark ruby purple still. Really very little sign of age. Only aggressive swirling brings notes of dark blue fruits and a hint of mint on the nose. On the palate clean and fresh and honest cabernet flavours. No nonsense stuff, like Smith Madrone but with hefty tannic charge still. This is no sipper - it needs food, preferably steak. On this showing, not nearly ready.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/12/2021 - MOCGator wrote: 93 Points
Hate on Silver Oak all you want. But this 2008 is soft with a great mid palate and a long finish. Really drinking above its weight class right now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/21/2021 - rkww Does not like this wine: 87 Points
Silver Oak Healdsburg Tasting: The 2008 Alexander Valley honestly didn’t present as too different than the 2016. It has evolved with a little more flavor complexity and is now a little softer, but the predominant experience is still of oak. Drink over the next five years or so.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/31/2021 - Peachy-vino wrote: 92 Points
New Years 2020— good but prefer 2016 AV.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/5/2021 - wDave Likes this wine: 92 Points
Perfect balance.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/31/2020 - sstein19 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Deep garnet in color. First nose of old oak - almost like barn wood and a bit of cinder. Second nose has more dark cherry, raspberry, cola, and a bit of chocolate on top of oak. Bold fruit on the pallet with a tannic finish. Mellows with time in the glass.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/25/2020 - Francissr Likes this wine: 95 Points
Loved it! Decanted for 2 hours. Full bodied. Excellent dry fruit. Tannins had softened but still a very nice, lingering aftertaste.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/12/2020 - bobbylion Likes this wine: 91 Points
Good higher end cal cab. Sweet, chewy and chocolaty. For my taste could have been almost Zinfandel. Has depth but not huge complexity.
Good with steak, but not really a “contemplative” wine for this price.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/5/2020 - Riesling Brother Likes this wine: 90 Points
Solid wine, opened up after 30 minutes. Smooth, rich, nice finish, just a joy to drink. Good on its own, but with some cheese, yum.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/15/2020 - Bordeaux Man wrote: 94 Points
We uncorked this one three hours before pouring. Outstanding!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/7/2020 - Breathing007 Likes this wine: 98 Points
Exceptional bottle after hours decanting
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/7/2020 - Lederhosen Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drinking good, definitely silver oak. Dark berries, richness, smooth tannins. Noticable orange notes
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/6/2020 - aatherton Likes this wine: 92 Points
Great steak pair. Decant for 2 hours. Drinking window correct.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/19/2020 - Jhmiller6102 wrote:
Amazing and even better than 2007! Just decant
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/11/2020 - drhodous wrote:
ACU
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/7/2020 - Villarreal1517 Likes this wine:
Drinking very well. Lots of fruit on the front with a smooth finish
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/22/2020 - lewisrise wrote: 79 Points
Nose of grass and weeds with a hint of green pepper. Taste dominated by green pepper, very vegetal. Not my style.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comments (1)
8/21/2020 - bmartz1 wrote: 89 Points
First day was so overwhelmingly green. Day 2 was better
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/11/2020 - Baron Slick wrote: 92 Points
Bold and youthful, with layers of black cherries, creme de cassis, smoke, char, and toasted sage. So much brightness, freshness, and complexity, with classic AV Cabernet elegance, proportion, and backbone. It is gracefully maturing, culminating with espresso and crushed rocks on a long, dark-fruited, minerally finish. Lots of upside with further cellaring.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/16/2020 - ClaytonDave Likes this wine: 93 Points
One hour decant is plenty. It is ready. Soft tannins, medium bodied and suited to any beef or hearty dish. Black cherry and blackberry on the palate. Nice acidity. Enjoy.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/7/2020 - wconnolly Likes this wine: 89 Points
Classic Silver Oak. Cherry, raspberry and a bit of Cola on the palate. Silky smooth with nicely integrated tannins. I prefer the Alexander Valley because it has less of an oaky feel than the Napa. This was oakier than usual but still delicious.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/31/2020 - jyang411 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Decanted 3hrs, cork should have been opened with ah so and broke into decanter. Texture round and velvety, exhibiting blackberry on the finish. It paired perfectly with grilled NY strip. It didn't have any more complexity on the finish but was definitely enjoyable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/9/2020 - jeisterh wrote:
Drank very well! Perfect time to open it. Wouldn’t wait any longer.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/8/2020 - Château de Farmer Likes this wine: 91 Points
Classic good vintage Silver Oak. Drinking well now but still has the better part of a decade left. Sweet American oak is leading and brings some medium tannins, even 12 years after vintage. Black and blue fruits peek out. The style isn't really about subtlety or sophisticated balance, it is about enjoyment and clarity of profile. This achieves that goal well.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/23/2020 - Gr8penut Likes this wine: 90 Points
Nice, but less tannic than i thought it would be.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/4/2020 - Martysfo wrote: 86 Points
Quality wine, though I am not sure that it is worth the price. Nice notes of sage, cherry and dried fruit on the nose. Solid mid palate, nice finish with some interesting acidity. Like I said, not my favorite cab, but it went well with some honking big T-bone steaks. A note on Silver Oak from within the trade, if you ever have the opportunity to attend an industry party at the estate, go for it. They through the best parties, lots of wines, older vintages and great food.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/15/2020 - Scottgus wrote: 87 Points
Maybe past its prime, or maybe just eh. Thin. Not a lot of complexity... Not what I want from a $100 bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/17/2020 - Aussiecam Likes this wine: 93 Points
Drank with Australian Wagyu steak. I’ve been building a vertical in this so was eager to try the first in line before it got too old. Very elegant, quite understated for a CA Cab - perhaps the difference between Alexander and Napa Valleys? Not a big fruit bomb. Beautifully cut the richness of the Wagyu. Decanted for a short while then savored in the glass. Was an absolute bargain with a $25 corkage fee compared to the $195 the restaurant was charging for the 2015.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/6/2020 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 92 Points
Tasted at Silver Oak this morning, nose of black cherry, spring flowers, sage, and mushrooms, more of the same on the palate, big body, almost at peak, mouth filling fruit, new bottle opened a few minutes earlier, holding well, more cellar time should help the score, and a medium/long finish with a pleasant aftertaste.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/31/2019 - ddgd Likes this wine: 90 Points
Still robust expressions and enjoyable attributes but quickly leaning towards consumption period.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/25/2019 - Tsliwinski Likes this wine: 93 Points
Tamed and smooth CA cab, eucalyptus on its nose. This is a good wine ready to be consumed.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/30/2019 - jimyeni Likes this wine: 93 Points
Don’t know if it was just this bottle but this was in a great drinking window. The oak that is usually prominent has integrated yet there was still a foundation of fruit. Far exceeded expectations.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/30/2019 - kenj001 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Nice nose. Fades fast.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/25/2019 - seschacher Likes this wine: 100 Points
Looooove!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/13/2019 - ecola Likes this wine: 90 Points
Drinking well, soft and smooth dark fruit with toasted oak. Drink now.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/25/2019 - Alref1 Likes this wine:
At Dr. Yoyo's BBQ
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/11/2019 - lbrooks wrote: 95 Points
A great offering! Loved it!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/2/2019 - Jamyandjoe Likes this wine:
X
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/20/2019 - Mo-Varro Likes this wine: 92 Points
Classic subtle oak. Perfect Cabernet for big meals. Moderate tannins. Drink now. Balanced fruit and acid. Another tapered finish. Not as big up front as expected. Great fullness of flavors. Napa cab from a place that's only Cabernet. Exactly what you expect from this Vineyard and every Cabernet.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/14/2019 - rdevince wrote:
Delicious with rotisserie cowboy ribeye
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/3/2019 - Rossdhu House wrote: 90 Points
Very approachable, fully integrated, smooth and silky, light leather, oak, tobacco, slightly on the backside given its muted bouquet.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/29/2019 - Wine daddy3d Likes this wine: 92 Points
Full nose
Great color
Deep flavor
Coco
Blackberries
Vanilla
Moss
Nice legs
Good with food
Preferred Quilt Reserve over this bottle
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/3/2019 - jrhonda160 Likes this wine: 87 Points
Aroma is not pleasurable, at all. Not a lot of flavor or punch at first. Little spicy, cinnamon after taste. Drinkable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/20/2018 - The Bronx Wine Guy wrote: 94 Points
Absolutely delicious expression of Cabernet Sauvignon. This 2008 was full of fresh dark berries. The tannins were soft with right amount of acidity too. Leather notes, chewy. Well balanced with a long finish. A sonoma Cab is more elegant than a Napa cab to my taste buds (see alexander valley) I am not a big fan of Silver Oak, but I'd say this is one of the better California Cabs I have had. Will cellar longer and soften more. Ready to drink now for sure
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/16/2018 - The Bronx Wine Guy Likes this wine: 100 Points
This rating is posted as a response to WHCARVER who didn't store his/her bottle correctly and decided to skew the average with a dumb 75 rating. and he/she is not accepting responses to his rating. I am having this bottle 12/20 and will post a thoughtful rating then
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/30/2018 - WHCarver wrote: 75 Points
The wine looks purple colored. The legs are medium. There is light sediment in the bottle. It smells like sherry and acetic acid. Typically my favorite wine. These were slightly sour. I believe due to improper storage on my part.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/15/2018 - Christine Havens Likes this wine: 91 Points
A decade on the 2008 Alexander Valley Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon has developed nicely—it's spent 24 months in barrel with another 15 months of bottle conditioning prior to release. Red currant, sweet red cherries, cassis, loamy soil, cinnamon bark, and vanilla bean anoint the nose. For a Sonoma Cabernet, it's lighter in style, and medium-bodied. The tannins are well integrated, revealing through their neatly woven latticework, a finish of sweet tobacco and pencil shavings emerge. 13.9% ABV | Sample
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/11/2018 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 92 Points
At the new Silver Oak Cellars Healdsburg this morning, nose of black berry, black cherry, and briar, same on the palate, big body, bottle opened earlier this morning, very tasty, not elegant almost mouth filling, rich fruit, needs five years to peak, and a long, long finish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/1/2018 - FGS Likes this wine: 92 Points
In a good place right now. Smooth and delicious. Vanilla, oak and berries on the nose, with a smooth entry, integrated tannins, nice fruit and a bit of smoked meat (?) thru the finish. Drink now IMHO.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/25/2018 - kevrob822 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Man, this is just terrific stuff. A solid 91 Pointer, which is extremely high for me. There’s something about Silver Oak that just tickles my taste buds, regardless of its Alexander or Napa.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/27/2018 - AAJR Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drinking extremely well at 10 years of age. Dark fruits, spice - nice finish. Really good.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/12/2018 - WineCPA wrote: 94 Points
Last bottle was outstanding. Consistent with prior notes. Still quite good. Could probably go longer. But don't see it improving.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/10/2018 - Tpairing wrote: 91 Points
A rich Cab with fruit bursts and all around decent drinking. Ready to drink.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/26/2017 - zack.wygant Likes this wine: 91 Points
A little decant and ready to go!
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/25/2017 - Rossdhu House wrote:
Bad bottle
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/20/2017 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 92 Points
At Silver Oak this morning, nose of black berry, black cherry, allspice, roasted coffee must, and sage, same on the palate, big body, showing well this morning, very tasty, not elegant but refined, showing secondary character this morning, almost mouth filling, rich and sexy fruit noted, tasted 3 times from 3 different bottles, at its best, and a long, long finish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/16/2017 - Thehappytourist79 wrote: 92 Points
Great wine
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/10/2017 - EpochMD Likes this wine: 93 Points
This stuff is totally ready to go. For whatever reason I had always been put off by the Silver Oak AV, given the geography of its more revered brother but likely because I was just drinking it too young, but I was completely surprised by this; the play by play while consuming: Jumps in the glass, starting to turn a nice hue of burgundy, notes of eucalyptus with taste that follows; fine tannins. This is drinking solidly and perfectly. 93+
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/9/2017 - cebo2hot wrote: 91 Points
drank la cremaliare with logan - very good
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/1/2017 - elodin wrote:
Tasted at Twomey against the 2013. Dark, nice nose of cherries and violets, lighter body than most cabs, still plenty of tannin. Good but not very complex. Probably at peak within a year or two.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/21/2017 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 90 Points
At Silver Oak this morning, nose of black berry, black cherry, herbs, mocha, same on the palate, medium/big body, fairly fruit forward today, almost mouth filling, rich fruit, touch subdued today, not as tasty as the 2013 SOA today, enjoy with a modest decant or age another 2 years to show its best, and a long, long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/18/2017 - Naso wrote: 89 Points
Not a very complex wine and a little light on its feet - drink now
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/4/2017 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 92 Points
Tasted at Silver Oak this morning, nose of black berry and black cherry, more black than red today, same on the palate, medium/big body, fairly fruit forward today, mouth filling fruit today, a big step up from the 2013 SOA today, this wine is ready to drink now and will easily last another ten years, and a long, long finish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/23/2017 - ddingley Likes this wine: 90 Points
A good wine but not the best QPR (what else is new in Napa?), I liked my 2007 Melanson Matthew's Block from the night before better. Agree this is a leaner style and well made, just not a wow experience.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/16/2017 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 92 Points
Tasted at Silver Oak this morning, nose of rich black berry, black cherry, spring flowers, and lots of sage, same on the palate, medium/big body, soft, almost mouth filling fruit today, very easy to sip and savor when compared to the 2013, this wine is ready to drink if you own it, very well done for a tough vintage, almost elegant, and a long, long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/28/2017 - Badmonkey wrote: 90 Points
My neighbor brought this over who is a big Silver Oak fan. Dark ruby fruit - dark cherry, currants, blackberry, and a little plum. Smooth mid-palate but the fruit came across a little light especially next to a 2013 Kamen cab. More of an elegant style. Nice finish but not overly long nor deep. Decanted for around one hour and we drank it over a couple more. Improved a little with time. In all, a decent bottle but I was somewhat underwhelmed especially next to the Kamen which was a bigger/fuller wine and clearly more my style. 100% cab.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/13/2017 - Clrv wrote: 90 Points
Did not take proper notes. Looked back at last entry though. A year later this wine a evolved nicely and I think in a great drinking window. Decanted for maybe 30 min and was nice for what it is. Did not evolve much so I will drink the remaining three bottles with in a year or two.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/5/2017 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 94 Points
Tasted 6 times over 3 hours at the Silver Oak Release Day Party, nose of rich black berry, black cherry, sage, and mocha chocolate, same on the palate, big body, rich tasting, really shows well today when compared to the 2013, this wine continues to improve and easily last another 15 years, almost elegant, lingering rich fruit and complex flavors on the palate, and a long, long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/2/2017 - RayT Likes this wine: 91 Points
Garnet in color with a nice nose of berries and cherry liqueur. On the palate blackberry and currant. This is a medium bodied, smooth, and elegant wine with soft tannins. I use to thoroughly enjoy this bottle but I have moved away from this style and have been drinking some big cabs.
With that said this is a good vintage of Silver Oak and it is definitely a food friendly wine in that it will not overpower the meal and has some flexibility as to what it can be served with. 90+
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/22/2017 - Lemmy-W wrote: 91 Points
it's a nice cab, but for $60 you can a lot better from Spain and Italy.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/22/2017 - pommieba@cox.net Likes this wine: 91 Points
On opening had an aroma of fuel but after 5hrs of decanting the aromas had changed with good fruit, cherry and blackberry notes with a hint of pepper. Good balance with soft tannins - some oakiness that did not overbear the other flavors. Went very well with steak. Finish was long and left you wanting more.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/19/2017 - tomoem wrote: 89 Points
While this did have more flavor than the Mayacamas 08 Cab up front, it did not finish anywhere near as well, and frankly I did not like the Mayacamas. There is a blueberry dominant flavor with a small degree of fresh asphalt which was interesting but not in the style of Cab that I like.
I don't see this improving.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/28/2017 - gouldcampbell77 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Still a saturated dark ruby purple. Classic cab nose of blackcurrants, cigars and some cold fire embers. Sweet dark silky fruit and lovely soft tannins. Creamy American oak and sensible alcohol (13.9%). Perhaps not the most concentrated wine out there but delicious nonetheless and just made for a juicy steak.
I know Silver Oak comes in for some stick sometimes but this really is classic benchmark Californian cabernet and £58 per bottle all in from the Wine Society, is excellent QPR. Drinking well right now.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/28/2017 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 92 Points
Nose of black cherry fruit, black berry, black currants, boysenberry and sage, more of the same on the palate, big body, delicious with beef/cheese enchiladas tonight, starting to show well, and a long finish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/19/2017 - SMZ wrote: 88 Points
Seemed a little washed out and lacking in flavor and purity
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/23/2017 - A_Steady Likes this wine: 93 Points
Picked up while on holidays in California, drinking very nice. Different style to Australian Cabernet Sauvignon, much more Oak. It was a nice change
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/23/2016 - Trolson wrote: 74 Points
Very disappointing. No nose other than almost a fuel smell. And, taste uneventful.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/4/2016 - HonestChris Likes this wine: 93 Points
Deep, rounded wine, with burst of flavor at the back of the tongue. Lots of Yasmin, but this only helps with the flavor. Nice, nice wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/25/2016 - Coswinetaster Likes this wine: 91 Points
Nice with Thanksgiving dinner. Ripe fruit on the nose. Dark ruby color with slow legs. Nice full mouth feel. Dark fruit up front. Slight pepper on the finish. Nicely balanced. About one hour to open up nicely.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/6/2016 - jjmocka@gmail.com wrote:
Gave as Gift
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/21/2016 - WineCPA wrote: 94 Points
Consistent with prior notes, but just starting its journey downhill. I'd drink these over the next few years.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/24/2016 - mmcleod Likes this wine:
Nice full body oak taste, very silky
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/29/2016 - srose254 wrote: 87 Points
Open this magnum and let it breath for about three hours. Green pepper, hint of tobacco and of course oak...was expecting a better showing.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/6/2016 - JTobin Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drinking well.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/30/2016 - Clrv wrote: 90 Points
pop and poured with dinner. Went well with NY Strip. Alcohol was high at the beginning and gradually got better within a hour. Not sure if this needs more time to settle down or it is what it is. Will revisit in 6 months.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/13/2016 - JWegryn wrote:
P&F Thanksgivining 2012
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/22/2016 - tabachus wrote: 91 Points
Excellent example of what Alexander Valley can offer in its Cabernets. Full bodied with a lasting finish. Wonderful nose of dark berries that opens more and more with time. Always a safe wine for most occasions. Lovely!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/14/2016 - Eye Drink Reds wrote: 89 Points
Decanted for 1 hr. Nose of plum, cured meats. The palate delivered ripe red fruits (cherry, plum, strawberry), black pepper with chalky tannins. Overall, this SO was smooth and fairly balanced, with the exception of being a bit too ripe on the palate for my liking. It had decent structure and acidity to make it interesting; however, its not a good QPR.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/7/2016 - partylikeakennedy wrote: 91 Points
Soft, smooth, fruity, refined.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/27/2016 - comlaw Likes this wine: 91 Points
Aerated and decanted for one hour. After a couple of disappointing bottles of Silver Oak, this was much better. Big cab with dark fruit and spice. Initially the tannin was too strong and a bit closed, but after another half hour really opened up.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/16/2016 - emf Likes this wine:
Opened up nicely with time. A very elegant Silver Oak with tastes of dark fruit and some oak with a nice finish. Will continue to improve for a few more years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/15/2015 - BillyRayValentine wrote: 91 Points
Soft, elegant for vintage, nice acidity. Excellent Sonoma cab. No reason to hold longer.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/10/2015 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 92 Points
At Silver Oak this morning, today the wine shows improved development over the taste three weeks ago, with rich, black cherry fruit, bell pepper, and dusty earth on the nose, more of the same on the palate, big body, very tasty, this morning it tastes delicious, still 3 years away from being it's best, really showed well today, and a long finish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/22/2015 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 91 Points
At Silver Oak today, nose of rich, black cherry fruit, plum, and herbs, more of the same on the palate, big body, delicious, really showed well today, and a long finish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/10/2015 - kosinski wrote:
Aroma: Rich, almost jammy blackberry with notes of buttered mushrooms and grilled meat. Hints of green pepper.
Palate: spicy plum, cherry and blackberry evolves to roasted meat, graphite, toast. Maturing tannins and good acidity. Good but not great.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/4/2015 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 90 Points
At Silver Oak today, nose of rich, black cherry fruit, herbs, dusty earth and tea leaves, not dried out just subdued and not rich, more of the same on the palate, big body, delicious, long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/4/2015 - BordeauxBoy wrote: 89 Points
Good but not great...always a crowd pleaser especially when they get to see the label first. Straight forward, still having plenty of fruit and oak with typically soft tannins. Drink now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/1/2015 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 93 Points
Silver Oak Release Party Special Tasting, nose of rich, black currants, mocha, anise, and black cherry fruit, more of the same on the palate, big body, delicious, has aged gracefully the last three years, long. long finish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/1/2015 - psusfca Likes this wine: 90 Points
I have never been a huge fan of Silver Oak, so my expectations were exceeded with this wine. It opened up nicely to a nice Cab. Some depth, with tannins that had peeled back after an hour decant. Not super complex but a pleasant wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/5/2015 - smileBD Likes this wine: 89 Points
Drank with Friends at Bandera's and it was a really nice wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/2/2015 - Iceman611 wrote: 94 Points
A bit more savory and oak than I recall. Over still superb.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/1/2015 - Millennial Drinkers wrote: 89 Points
Weak nose, soft cassis and light petrol, tastes like a lighter napa cab, Really enjoyable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/27/2015 - ccromley5 wrote: 92 Points
Great full body Cabernet in a league with Caymus and Gemstone.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/21/2015 - Louisville Vino Likes this wine: 88 Points
Drank w/Afton
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/29/2015 - Cgallivan wrote: 90 Points
Consistent with previous notes. I gave this one a longer decant time and the wait was worth it. Paired and held up well with my filet.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/23/2015 - lovechad Likes this wine: 86 Points
Not so impressive but nor frustrating, Good example of well aged Cali CAB, I heard this winery is not typical Napa style but bordeaux-oriented style. I has been rounded and soften characters and I just felt chilean nuance which has dried herb, mentol, hazed eucalyptus, a bit of mushrooms. Totally good to drink now but expect can aged several years
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/22/2015 - curtr wrote:
This never showed me much. Perhaps it needed more of a decant.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/7/2015 - SeaSmoke wrote: flawed
Bad bottle. Flat, no tannins. Something happened with this bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/14/2015 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 90 Points
Nose of black cherry fruit, pencil lead, and earth, more of the same on the palate, needs time to improve, starting to develop complexity and secondary flavors, medium/big body, and long finish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/13/2015 - WineCPA wrote: 93 Points
Really nice and seems to have improved over my previous bottle. Well balanced dark fruit with smoke, leather and graphite. Integrated tannins but seems like this can go much longer. Planning to drink now-2023
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/1/2015 - Dan L Likes this wine: 92 Points
This is already a wonderful drink of wine. I knew this '08 would still be tannic, but I assumed it might be a great match for our beef rib roast. Finally, I assumed correctly. The fatty beef broke down the tannins perfectly, yet the wine was big enough that it wasn't overpowered at the same time. This was so smooth and nicely balanced even at this early age. I will save the next bottle for at least two more years, but many years of potential life remains within this Cab. A real bargain at $44.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/25/2014 - TLHWG wrote: 94 Points
Great. Fruity, but not too fruity. Fruit well integraed with the tannins. Opens, develops nicely over time.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/23/2014 - MemorialWineFan wrote: 88 Points
Better than I thought it would be. It was much better than the 2006 Silver Oak that was open.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/6/2014 - Nordin wrote: 92 Points
Great dark fruit with classic cab character, it is still tannic as hell, but it is still quite accessible.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/30/2014 - Edavis6678 wrote: 88 Points
It was OK. I guess i'm just used to my BOrdaeux. I found it a bit strong in the front...very oak finish...didn't have the depth I'd like.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/25/2014 - MOCGator wrote: 91 Points
Best AV in years
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/9/2014 - walkerjfw wrote: 88 Points
At Mom's 75th b-day party, split this bottle with Frank. Drank after an 01 Montelena...
Very classic Silver Oak nose of vanilla oak and dark fruits. Palate is rich with dark fruit, plums, american oak and cedar. Has mellowed a bit since last bottle I had, tannins starting to resolve. Medium to long finish. Improving...
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/19/2014 - bluedog wrote: 93 Points
Deliciouso.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/5/2014 - crkaineg5 wrote: 70 Points
Jammy, leggy, juicy. But a little pricey for the quality. We let this one breathe for a while and enjoyed it with hanger steak. It was good, but probably won't seek it out.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/30/2014 - WineMedic Likes this wine: 93 Points
Had a glass from a tasting. Temp was perfect. Dark, deep red in color. Dark cherry on the nose with hints of graphite and earth. Taste was more cherry, berry and spice rather than the minimal taste of earth. Very good and would drink again if it was half the price.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/16/2014 - RayT Likes this wine: 90 Points
This bottle was not anywhere near as good as the first two I drank. Was better as it opened up.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/12/2014 - The OKC Kid Likes this wine: 93 Points
Nice Bottle of wine. I drank on Friday night with pizza. I enjoyed this 2008 Silver Oak Alexander Valley. I had this Bottle next to the 2007 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet and the 2008 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet. The 2008 Silver Oak Alexander Valley won hands down. I always usually like Silver Oak! Justin Meyer would be rolling in his grave. 93 Points. The OKC Kid
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/23/2014 - jmorgand wrote: 87 Points
Underwhelming. Falls flat. Did a tasting at the winery a few weeks ago, and the same vintage Napa blows this one away.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/19/2014 - CJM wrote: 91 Points
Clear purplish-brown with rim browning. Leather, green pepper, cinnamon. Low acid, medium tannins. Tar and leather on the palate. Long finish with some acids. Still has a lot of life.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/21/2014 - ddgd Likes this wine: 89 Points
Straight 100% cab, not the blend offered in the more expensive Napa version. Opened and decantured for 2 hours and although quite enjoyable it was not as spectatcular as expected. Medium bodied with a medium finish. Soft tannins but definately possessed the CA Cab offering.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/18/2014 - WineCPA wrote: 91 Points
Not as good as my first bottle. This seemed a bit closed off, even with air. But there was still plenty of fruit to be had. The finish is what drops off quickly. Still quite good.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/15/2014 - UncleBuncle Likes this wine:
Very enjoyable and drinkable at the moment. Well rounded balanced flavours, hint of vanilla coming through. Not packing a huge punch however and will be drinking my remaining bottles over the next year or so.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/23/2014 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 90 Points
Tasted at Silver Oak today with Kathy. Nose of blackberry, spice, green pepper, and earth, more of the same on the palate, needs time to improve, medium/big body, and medium/long finish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/23/2014 - christanna Likes this wine: 90 Points
Nose of dark berry and graphite, full lush palate with ripe berry fruit and lots of vanilla/baking spice notes.
Okay, it's a solid cab and all, but I tasted three SO's today (others Napa 05 and 08) and all of them just finished so flat. This was the least of the offenders, but maybe it just wasn't as obvious because the fruit wasn't gigantic.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/26/2014 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 92 Points
Tasted at Silver Oak five vintages of Alexander Valley. Nose of blackberry, spice, and earth, more of the same on the palate, tasty today, medium/big body, and medium/long finish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/20/2014 - psundberg Likes this wine: 90 Points
Exceptional even without much decanting. I was a little leery since the 2009 we had before was not good and we actually returned it to the store. We thought it was the American Oak but perhaps we just had a bad bottle. The 2008 Alex Valley is certainly a good cab,worth the $75 retail price and on our shopping list again...
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/18/2014 - prasm Likes this wine: 91 Points
Consumed over 3 days, note from day 3. Nose: Medium plus expressiveness, black berry, cassis, black licorice, and shoe leather. Palate: Medium-full bodied, sweet dark fruit attack, joined by a nice spice kick mid-palate, flavor intensity builds nicely through the back-end. Finish: Medium plus length dominated by spicy dark fruit. A good example of the quintessential Cally cab, held up very well over 3 days (vacuvined).
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/26/2014 - pakabear Likes this wine: 90 Points
More structure it seems than last year but less of that intoxicating fruit.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/3/2014 - petitblanc wrote: 90 Points
Dark-medium color in glass. Prominent roasted coffee oak on the nose, with ripe raspberry emerging and the oak receding a bit with air. On the palate, pure primary fruit shaded with minty oak, medium bodied. Just a touch of acidity, huge tannins. With air the tannins softened considerably but the wine seemed to grow lighter and the alcohol came forward. Overall, this was best immediately upon opening. Unlikely to ever be better than it is now, but quite decent for its style. 14.1% abv. With DKD and Ray at Trulucks.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/4/2014 - roybivens wrote: 89 Points
Metallic on the nose that settles out with some air. Pleasing enough to order with a steak dinner, however I can think of many others that I would choose at this price point. Medium body and finish. Score [50 + 5 + 11 + 16 + 7 ] = 89. Tasted at Ruth's Chris in Columbus, OH.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/19/2014 - Robert R. wrote: 85 Points
Decanted about 6 hours and consumed with an aged ribeye. Pleasant, run of the mill CA cab nose. Fairly simple, fruit forward profile: dark fruits, vanilla, maybe some cedar and a touch of something green, and certainly oak (no surprise). Medium bodied, medium finish. Tannins very present, yet smooth enough. Room to age. Received as a gift; not a producer I seek out.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
1/19/2014 - BklynNeophyte wrote: 85 Points
Really. I loved this wine 30 years ago. For those giving this wine 90+ points, have you tried more recent and balanced cabs?
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/10/2014 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 91 Points
Paired with the Double Breasted Chicken tonight at Flemings. Nose of black cherry/berry, and earth, more of the same on the palate, opened slowly and steadily over the two hour dinner, starting to develop, fairly complex, medium/big body, and medium/long finish.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/31/2013 - AEROSMITH wrote: 92 Points
WINE WAS CREAMY AND CHERRY OAKEY.HAD IT WITH A VEAL CHOP AND BROCCOLI RABE AT FRANCOS WELLINGTON.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/29/2013 - Cgallivan wrote: 92 Points
Had this as part of a reverse vertical...worst of the three, but still decent.
Good and juicy on the nose, tons of fruit on the palate (mainly cherries) and a medium finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/28/2013 - MarkMich wrote: 90 Points
Served from magnum at Sarah and Paul's and served with grilled ribeye. Better than the last bottle I had but nat nearly as good as the 07 Picconerro, 04 Chateau Montrose or 05 Far Niente we had with dinner.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/25/2013 - Nhowe wrote: 78 Points
Very strong. 4 out of 6 of my dinner guests didn't care for it
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/16/2013 - KendraPM wrote: 94 Points
Drank with brad and Bethany and Aaron
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/27/2013 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 90 Points
Tasted at Silver Oak today with Sam. Nose of blackberry with a touch of briar, earth and sharp forest floor today, medium/big body, and medium/long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/15/2013 - mscalese wrote: 92 Points
Did not disappoint. Was a classic NV cab ...full and smooth.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/7/2013 - vsbastosx Likes this wine: 92 Points
Oak, coconut and vanilla on the nose. Full bodied, oaky, balanced, smooth. A bit obvious but delicious. 92+
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/2/2013 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 91 Points
Tasted at Silver Oak. Better tasting than last visit. Nose of blackberry, spice, and earth, more of the same on the palate, briary today, starting to show layers of richness, medium/big body, and medium/long finish.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/22/2013 - WineCPA wrote: 94 Points
Thought this wine had great balance and classic cassis, leather and black cherry flavors. Excellent! Can age a bit. Next in late 2014/early 2015.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/22/2013 - yofog wrote: 88 Points
An ok wine. Lots of dark fruits, oak, a little heat. Well-composed and not as fat as I expected (1st time w/ this producer) but still pretty boring. This is very standard and more like a $25-30 wine than a $70 one.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/20/2013 - ccassel wrote: 91 Points
Smooth and delicious as always
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/17/2013 - markandsusanw Likes this wine: 92 Points
Restaurant Pour: Victoria and Alberts, 2013 ... Lush, creamy and full. Classic Cali cabernet. Fruit forward, with hints of cream and vanilla. Extremely rich and almost decadent. Reliably wonderful, year in and out. Paired perfectly with Kobe-style filet.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/4/2013 - Jwojtala wrote: 98 Points
Beautiful and well-balanced wine- nose of ripe berries; tannins provide lovely structure without being overbearing; full and creamy finish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/3/2013 - Double-A Likes this wine: 90 Points
Big, buttery and oaky with ripe currant and toast on the nose. Full and toasty, well-balanced palate; sweet-centred but with an elegance afforded via the 2008 vintage. Good balancing tannin and finish.
4/5
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/18/2013 - tc60045 wrote: 90 Points
A little fruity and young but strong bones; would be superb in a couple of years
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/14/2013 - Firefly78 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Nice Cab, not too harsh.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/3/2013 - dalemosier Likes this wine: 92 Points
Nice nose, good fruit,great balance, a little strong on the tannin at the finish; should improve over next 3-5 years
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/2/2013 - Iceman611 wrote: 94 Points
Excellent all around
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/31/2013 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 90 Points
Tasted at Silver Oak. Nose of blackberry, spice, and earth, more of the same on the palate, more briary and earthy today than previous bottles, hints of mushrooms, medium/big body, and medium/long finish. Enjoyed twice, similar results.
1 person found this helpful / Comment
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/23/2013 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 90 Points
Tasted at Silver Oak. Nose of blackberry, spice, earth, and cedar, more of the same on the palate, touch of briar, earth and sharp forest floor today, medium/big body, and medium/long finish. Tasted 3 times today, similar results.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/14/2013 - jjRoe Likes this wine: 89 Points
This is a good bottle of wine, even though it is still young. High tannins are present, but this will not stop you from enjoying a glass. I would like to try an earlier vintage, or perhaps the same vintage in a few years.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/13/2013 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 92 Points
Tasted at Silver Oak. Nose of blackberry, spice, earth, and cedar, more of the same on the palate, touch of briar and earth today, medium/big body, and medium/long finish. Tasty.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
7/13/2013 - 2loyal wrote: 87 Points
Very pleasant, but nothing special. Paled in comparison to the delicious steak that I expected to bring out its best.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/7/2013 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 90 Points
Tasted at Silver Oak. Lovely nose of dark fruit with hints of blackberry, allspice, and earth, more of the same on the palate, medium/big body, medium finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/6/2013 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 91 Points
Tasted at Silver Oak today twice. Lovely nose of dark fruit with hints of blackberry, allspice, and earth, more of the same on the palate, medium/big body, medium finish. It is slowly improving in complexity during the last year, needs 4 more years to peak.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/28/2013 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 92 Points
Tasted at Silver Oak Cellars, slightly close nose compared to two weeks ago. Nose of blackberry, spice, earth, and cedar, more of the same on the palate, improving fairly quickly in the bottle, medium/big body, and medium/long finish. Tasty.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/25/2013 - cupoverflowing1 Likes this wine: 93 Points
with double decant and let sit for several hours, this opened up as a huge positive surprise... much improved from previous tastings... will hold and try again in a few years
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/24/2013 - Blauweiss Likes this wine: 90 Points
Way too young, but shows great promise. Big and restrained, not jammy. Needs 5 years to settle, but will then be great! 90 now, 92 or higher with cellaring!
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/19/2013 - SCWineDrinker wrote: 86 Points
This wine is an example of paying for the name. While it was a good wine and pleasant, it has no business at this price point. Not a bold Cabernet at all with no real tannins that I could feel. To me this was particularly fruity with some black cherry, currant hints and some oakiness and spicier notes. Decent feel and finish but not overwhelmingly impressive. This vintage does not scream Silver Oak at all.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/12/2013 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 93 Points
Tasted at Silver Oak. Lovely intense black cherry nose with hints of mushrooms, vanilla, and earth, more of the same on the palate with medium, soft tannins, very open today, large improvement on both the nose and palate compared to three months ago, will improve with five more years of age, rich medium/long finish,
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/9/2013 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 90 Points
Tasted at Silver Oak. Nose of blackberry, spice, earth, and cedar, more of the same on the palate, touch of briar and earth today, medium/big body, and medium/long finish. Tasty.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/8/2013 - rmcnees wrote: 89 Points
Tasted as part of a three vintage vertical of the '04, '05 and the '08. Perhaps reflecting its youth, the '08 opened a bit awkward, slightly hot with some black cherry tartness edge, but over the course of the evening it evolved to be more similar to the '05, medium to full bodied, nicely polished, moderately complex, dark, black berry and black currant fruits, hints of clove spice and touch of pepper with moderate firm smooth tannins on the finish.
http://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2013/06/silver-oak-alexander-valley-vertical.html
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/19/2013 - Dave Herzig wrote: 91 Points
Smokey oak on the nose followed by eucalyptus. Medium finish on the top of the palate with hints black cherry.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/17/2013 - slippytoad Likes this wine: 92 Points
Took a while to open up. Graceful after an hour or so.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/12/2013 - cupoverflowing1 Likes this wine: 90 Points
good nose, but off finish... finish will probably get better in a few years... even so, this would be a 92ish wine at peak... not the stellar silver oak of previous vintages
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/2/2013 - walkerjfw wrote: 86 Points
At Chef Geoff's in DC with Joe D. Limited wine list, interesting and good food. they advertised the 07, only had the 08.
Silver Oak nose and palate right out of the chute. Dark fruits, plum, fruit forward. Slightly heavy and still very tannic. For Silver Oak fans, this isn't quite there yet. Suspect it will improve as tannins soften. Not a bog vintage, so fruit seems like it will not have the long life of other SO vintages
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/28/2013 - Burgundy Al wrote: 87 Points
Black cherry and plum aromas with hint of kirsch. Lots of black fruit flavors, forward and slightly simple. Slightly hot finish. Better with food than on its own.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/17/2013 - Wineonthevine wrote: 88 Points
Trying the second day of bottle being open. Slightly alcoholic nose. Not a big full Cabernet, but it is decent. Based on the second day of being open, I don't see this wine lasting more than five years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/11/2013 - Porchino wrote: 89 Points
05 better
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/4/2013 - seanb Likes this wine: 90 Points
Quite silky with a firm body.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/23/2013 - Kurtyj wrote: 90 Points
Slightly heavy and tannin
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/16/2013 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 90 Points
Lovely nose of rich dark fruit, plum, and cedar, more of the same on the palate, opened the next night and revisited, bigger nose and better fruit on the palate, needs about five years to mature.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/12/2013 - buckeye76 wrote: 90 Points
BLACK CHERRIES AND CURRANTS IN THE NOSE AND FLAVOR. MEDIUM TO LONG FINISH.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/10/2013 - askoje wrote: 92 Points
*Tasted at the winery*
Dark cherries, sandalwood, blackberry pie, dark chocolate and warm gravel. Beautiful nose.
Dark berries dominating the fruit-side on the palate. Big and delicious mouth feel. Powerful and delicate at the same time.
Follows the nose and impressed me with overall balance. Would last for several years to come. 92+
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/10/2013 - kr522 wrote: 89 Points
Tasted alongside the 08 Napa and a couple older vintages was my least favorite. There is good fruit and I know it will soften a touch but it is lacking the vibrancy and complexity of the Napa
Silver Oak is not a wine i'd cellar for more than 15 years. For my taste the 01, 05 and 07 are the best vintages...the 01 is drinking very nicely
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/31/2013 - pos1235 wrote: 92 Points
Smooth from engagement to finish
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/21/2013 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 90 Points
Lovely intense black cherry nose with hints of mushrooms, vanilla, and earth, more of the same on the palate but note medium, soft tannins, opens nicely, will improve with five more years of age, rich medium/long finish, taste twenty times, similar results. Probably earn two to four more points in five years. Note this special 40th anniversary label has the same wine in the bottle as the usual Alexander Valley label.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/13/2013 - Jsherman17 wrote: 89 Points
Drank at Bacio
Pretty good
$90 per bottle
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/5/2013 - Scorpion Likes this wine: 91 Points
Found this very enjoyable already and quite ready to drink.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/31/2012 - Mmbratt wrote:
Good Cabernet with vanilla cherry flavor and long finish
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/26/2012 - Porchino Likes this wine: 92 Points
Food friendly on its own not as interesting as when matched.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/19/2012 - km5 wrote:
Magnum
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/15/2012 - astroman Likes this wine:
California Cabernet Tasting: Good lively on the palate complex but thick tannins.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/15/2012 - prasm wrote: 91 Points
Tasted at Brix in Omaha. Nose: Medium plus expressiveness, black berry, earth, saddle leather and mint. Palate: Full bodied, nice balance, sweet dark fruit up front with just a little spice kick carries nicely all the way thru to the back-end where it ends with a 30+ second finish dominated by lush dark fruit. Just what I expected from Silver Oak - not real complex but very tasty.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/22/2012 - Tommythejet wrote: 97 Points
Not enough superlatives to express how good this was
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/15/2012 - ecola Likes this wine: 91 Points
Very tight, tannic, and dry at this point. There is some fruit in there, has potential.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/12/2012 - gmat5497 wrote: 89 Points
Great nose, fruit pronounced, long finish
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/25/2012 - luckystein wrote: 90 Points
Had this at dinner with a Delmonico steak at Capital Grille. Outstanding nose full of cherry, vanilla and mild oak. 2nd glass was more complex than the first. Outstanding wine and there is plenty of life left in this vintage.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/15/2012 - webbaker wrote: 89 Points
Typical Silver Oak, strong notes of cedar and eucalyptus, thin fruit, very austere. Not very endearing.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/3/2012 - sullieye wrote: 91 Points
Drank for 40th anniversary at the Napa winery and since had multiple samples from different bottles this review is an overall rating from that day. I found the wine to be quite approachable despite such an early age with a firm black fruit start, medium oak and managable tannins. This AV vintage will age well drinking between 5-10 years from release.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/1/2012 - JoeDon6055 wrote: 88 Points
Very dry. Tight with a overtone of oak but lasted with a black cherry on the tongue
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/12/2012 - InternationalWineReport wrote: 90 Points
This shows lots of concentrated blackberry, sweet black cherries, anise, leather and some caramel notes. Full, round and supple with a satisfying finish. (Drink 2012-2018)
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/30/2012 - RWINO wrote: 76 Points
Decanted 6 hours. Nose and flavors of pine resin, wood and cherries. Very heavy on the oak, still pulling splinters out. If you like chewing on a pine tree, this wine is for you, otherwise a pass.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment