Napa Valley

The 2019 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has a lively nose of black cherry laced with floral notes. Ruby in color, it has a fruit-forward entry, silky tannins and will continue to improve through 2047 with proper cellaring.

Composition: 76.61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18.13% Merlot, 2.56% Cabernet Franc, 2.32% Petit Verdot and 0.38% Malbec

The 2018 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is ruby in color with notes of strawberry, fresh
carnation, black pepper and vanilla. This wine builds in strength and body across the mid-palate with
a blackberry character on the finish and bright cherry return. With integrated tannins, it’s expressive yet luxurious with an even, balanced finish. Given proper cellaring conditions, this wine will continue to improve through 2043.

Composition: 76% Cabernet Sauvignon,15.2% Merlot, 5.1% Cabernet Franc, 3.2% Petit Verdot and 0.5% Malbec

Our 2017 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is ruby in color with notes of blackberry, blueberry, roasted coffee beans, coriander and a hint of nutmeg. Smooth upon entry, this wine is broad and plush on the mid-palate. It has an elegant density throughout and a long, generous finish. Given proper cellaring conditions, this wine will show beautifully through 2041.

Composition: 80.8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.6% Merlot, 2.9% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc and 0.7% Malbec.

Deep ruby in color, our 2016 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is an opulent wine with notes of cassis, ripe raspberry, toasted coconut and shiitake mushroom. This wine has a rich entry, depth through the mid-palate, great structure without being heavy and exceptional length on the finish. Fresh cherry flavors balanced with floral notes and a subtle hint of black pepper add a beautiful complexity. Plush tannins lend to its ageworthiness. Given proper cellaring conditions, this wine will show beautifully through 2040.

Composition: 78.9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 3.5% Cabernet Franc, 2.3% Petit Verdot and 0.3% Malbec.

Tasting conducted February 2021

The 2015 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has a concentrated, dark ruby hue. The oaky vanilla aroma is integrating nicely, and this wine has ripe and bold fruit aromas of plum and blackberry—but it is headed towards a closed phase. This is a big and bold wine with a fruit-forward and round entry without heaviness or aggression, as it’s surprisingly approachable structurally. There are some chalky tannins on the long finish as the wine builds momentum from front to back across the palate. No sediment noted. We suspect this wine will continue to improve through 2045.

Composition: 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12.6% Merlot, 3.6% Cabernet Franc, 2.4% Petit Verdot and 0.4% Malbec.

Tasting conducted February 2021

The 2014 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has a transparent, youthful ruby color. Aromatically, it is quite open and expressive for a wine of its adolescent age with notes of black cherry, cassis, cocoa nibs and hoisin sauce. It has an approachable and pretty entry, which is most notable as quite elegant despite being sandwiched by two very concentrated vintages. Its acidity is well-balanced with its slightly gritty tannic structure. Quite primary with vanilla flavors, this wine has better-than-moderate length that also comes across as quite restrained. No sediment noted. Enjoy now before this wine goes into its slumber or pull it back out in 2027 and enjoy it through 2041.

Composition: 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11.6% Merlot, 6.7% Cabernet Franc, 2.1% Petit Verdot, 1.6% Malbec, 14.2% alcohol

Tasting conducted February 2021

The 2013 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has a gorgeous and rich ruby red color with some blue highlights. This is a dense and structured wine that is entering adolescence with interesting but somewhat reticent aromas of black cherry, cassis, coffee bean, vanilla and loose pipe tobacco. Its entry is massive and wildly rich, smooth and creamy. There are baking spice and black pepper flavors throughout the mid-palate and while the structure is dense and tightly wound, there is excellent balance with no piece out of place. The finish is long and has fantastic length. This wine has a lot of potential. No sediment noted. As noted, this wine has shut down at the moment. I suspect it will open back up and be best from 2025 through 2042.

Composition: 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot, 14.1% alcohol

Tasting conducted February 2021

The 2012 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has a youthful, inky ruby hue with lots of saturation. It was a touch shy at the time of tasting, showing aromas of asphalt, ripe blackberries and dates. It’s youthful and still very fleshy and powerful upon entry. It also shows tremendous balance between tannic and acidic structure for a young wine, which is an excellent sign for the future. It’s a riper wine with tart cherry acidity tying it together and carrying it through to a finish with an ever-so-slight grip. No sediment noted. This wine should be best from 2026 through 2041.

Composition: 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot, 14.4% alcohol

Tasting conducted February 2021

The 2011 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has a pretty ruby red color. This wine is driven by savory aromatic characteristics like carnation, licorice, fennel and sage. It is quite fresh and fragrant—a vintage defined by its elegance. It is refreshing and inviting with moderate body and length. The tannins towards the finish are youthful and chalky. No sediment noted. Enjoy now through 2035.

Composition: 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.5% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot, 0.5% Malbec 13.8% alcohol

Tasting conducted February 2021

The 2010 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has an intensely dark, inky hue. It has a fascinating array of aromas, from new leather, spice and dark plum to tea leaves and pencil lead. The entry is just as intense as its color with mouth-filling and silky characteristics. While there are plenty of ripe fruit notes, it shows aspects of a cooler vintage with fresh strawberry flavors and dense tannins that are quite present but not particularly aggressive, suggesting a long life ahead. Decanting may be desired due to very light sediment. While enjoyable now, this wine will most likely be best from 2024 through 2039.

Composition: 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc, 14.2% alcohol

Tasting conducted February 2021

The 2009 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has a youthful, transparent ruby color and purple highlights. It shows some petrichor-like minerality and black licorice aromas alongside youthful oak characteristics like vanilla and coconut. It has sweet and pretty fruit flavors reminiscent of strawberry shortcake and raspberries that enter and stay on the palate with the balanced and rich weight of a younger wine. It finishes strongly with vibrant acidity that cuts through the baby fat and adds to the length. This wine is in a somewhat Peter Pan state and is just exiting its primary stage of development. No sediment noted. While it can be enjoyed now, it will be best from 2025 through 2039.

Composition: 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot

Tasting conducted February 2021

The 2008 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has a deep ruby hue with excellent translucency and clarity. It shows very ripe aromas like blackberry syrup and dark fruits mixed with dried ginger and floral notes. There is still plenty of baby fat on this wine, and it enters with a big and powerful attack. On the palate, there are very interesting graphite and pencil lead flavors with very good oak integration. Its tannins are softening and the fruity core is still quite primary. This wine finishes with balance and moderate intensity. No sediment noted. Enjoy now through 2034.

Composition: 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot, 14.1% alcohol

Tasting conducted February 2021

The 2007 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has a gorgeous inky color. It shows classic Cabernet aromatics of cassis, blackberry liqueur, pipe tobacco and fresh strawberry. It’s youthful and very precocious in its aromatic exuberance. The palate is full, plush and mouth-filling with sweet chocolate-like tannins that remain somewhat chalky and point to a long life ahead. On the finish, there is a sweet core of dark fruits like black cherry with a little floral pop on the long and haunting finish. Decanting is probably not necessary due to very light sediment. Enjoy now for a treat, but this wine should continue to improve through 2036.

Composition: 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot, 13.9% alcohol

Tasting conducted February 2021

The 2006 Napa Valley Cabernet SauvThe 2006 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has a saturated, deep ruby color. It’s an earth-driven and savory wine with aromas of black pepper, soil and a touch of blackberry and cherry. The entry has a sweet, milk chocolate-like structure, and a streak of acidity adds freshness that carries through all the way to the finish. There are some tart cherry and ripe fruit flavors on the mid-palate, and espresso bean flavors and forgiving tannins frame the finish of moderate length. Decanting is probably not necessary due to very light sediment. Enjoy now through 2031.

Composition: 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot, 14.1% alcohol

Tasting conducted February 2021

The 2005 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has a saturated and opaque red hue. Aromatically, it is youthful and precocious with bright strawberry, potpourri, brioche, pencil lead and dried floral characters. Its entry is mouth-filling with a ripe fruit core. The acidity is layered towards the back of the palate. This wine has a medium-plus body with brawn and power but without aggression—a difficult and pleasant combination. The finish is a touch light, but there is a sense that this wine still has a long life ahead of it. Decanting suggested due to moderate sediment. While enjoyable now, this wine will probably be best from 2024 through 2032.

Composition: 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot, 13.5% alcohol

Tasting conducted February 2021

The 2004 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has a garnet color with some signs of aging at the rim. This is a more savory wine with aromas of cumin, loose pipe tobacco, blood orange and black pepper. It has a juicy entry with bright raspberry fruit and a wonderful freshness of flavor. The mid-palate is bright with decent concentration, but the finish is a little shorter than other Silver Oak wines of the era. Decanting may be necessary due to light sediment. Enjoy now through 2028.

Composition: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot 2%, 1% Malbec, 13.9% alcohol

Tasting conducted February 2021

The 2003 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has an inky, dark ruby hue with ever so slight rust coloring at the rim. This wine balances savory and fruity notes with aromas of grilled meats, camphor, soy sauce, fig and dusty black cherry. The entry is very inviting and reminiscent of blackberry liqueur. With a medium body, this wine has charming flavors of coffee ice cream and hazelnut. The finish shortens up a tad, and this is a very approachable wine at an interesting spot between primary and secondary flavors. Decanting suggested due to moderate sediment. While certainly enjoyable now, this wine may be best from 2023 through 2029.

Composition: 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot, 13.9% alcohol

Tasting conducted February 2021

The 2002 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has a dense ruby hue with no bricking. The nose is dominated by dark, ripe fruits like currant and cassis plus subtle notes of baking spices, pencil lead and blueberry. The entry is quite inviting and has fruity, blackberry liqueur flavors with a powerful but focused crescendo as it moves across the palate. There’s also a reassuring and familiar streak of acidity to keep this wine fresh and vibrant. While the tannic structure on the finish is certainly present, this wine presents as remarkably balanced with some cedar, cigar box on the return. Decanting is optional due to very light sediment. Enjoy now through 2029.

Composition: 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot, 14.2% alcohol

Tasting conducted February 2021

The 2001 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has a youthful and dark, concentrated ruby color with no signs of aging. It has rose petal, dusty earth and perfumed vanilla bean aromatics that show quite young and vibrant. Its entry is full, mouth-coating and sweet. It is a smooth and exuberant wine with above average body, although it is quite elegant overall in character. The finish is still figuring itself out, but this wine with strong tannins and tart cherry acidity is still compelling and interesting now. Decanting may be necessary due to light sediment. Enjoy now through 2028.

Composition: 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc, 4% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, 13.6 alcohol

Tasting conducted February 2021

The 2000 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has a translucent garnet hue with some bricking at the rim. Aromatically, it shows notes of sarsaparilla, spiced meats, sage and fig. It has excellent breadth and roundness upon entry, but its tannins are still somewhat astringent and chalky. The finish displays flavors of chocolate-covered cherries and cola, but some grit persists into the closure. Decanting may be necessary due to moderate sediment. Enjoy now through 2025.

Composition: 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc, 11% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, 13.2% alcohol

Tasting conducted February 2021

The 1999 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has a garnet hue with some bricking at the rim. The aromas are reminiscent of a much younger wine in a closed state with dark aromatics of tar and spiced meats alongside hazelnut, hibiscus and black cherry. Its entry and mid-palate have an excellent verve of acidity plus some sweet tobacco flavors and a broad attack. There are flavors of brown sugar and tart strawberry towards the close, and the finish is balanced and somewhat haunting with melting, cotton candy-like tannins and a mild chocolate return and finish. Decanting suggested due to heavy sediment. This wine will be better enjoyed with a few more years to open back up. Enjoy now but should continue to improve through 2027.

Composition: 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc, 6% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot, 13.9% alcohol

Tasting conducted February 2021

The 1998 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has a translucent but rich purple hue. This is a more savory and earthy vintage, with classic Cabernet aromas of thyme and mint alongside creamy vanilla bean and brighter red fruits. The attack is light and ethereal yet playful, and this wine has vibrant acidity, cigar box flavors and a surprisingly rich and long finish. Decanting suggested due to moderate sediment. Enjoy now.

Composition: 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot

Tasting conducted February 2021

The 1997 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has a saturated, inky garnet hue. The aromas are fascinatingly complex with notes of carnation, wet asphalt, cassis, blackberry and cocoa nibs. This is a generous and giving vintage with a fleshy and round entry, a dense structure, cherry and vanilla flavors and a present but not overbearing structure of fine tannin. As it moves throughout the palate, this wine crescendos toward a grand finish with plenty of horsepower and some cocoa powder tannins. Decanting suggested due to moderate sediment. While it can be enjoyed now, this wine should continue to improve through 2029.

Composition: 93%Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petite Verdot, 13.9% alcohol

Tasting conducted February 2021

The 1996 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has a brilliant and saturated garnet color with slight bricking at the rim. It displays aromas of espresso bean, jicama, violets and brambly blackberry along with hints of cigar box. It has a rich, sweet entry with better than average depth, great density and flavors of pipe tobacco. The tannins towards the back of the palate and finish are somewhat dusty, offering a tactile and structured closure—but one with restraint and elegance. This wine is in a beautiful spot at the time of tasting and shows little sign of slowing down. Decanting suggested due to moderate sediment. Enjoy now, but this wine will continue to improve through 2027.

Composition: 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 1.5% Petit Verdot, 0.5% Merlot, 13.7% alcohol

Tasting conducted February 2021

The 1995 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has a lovely, saturated dark ruby hue. The nose is filled with sweet cassis, pie crust, dried flowers and chaparral. The wine comes across as remarkably youthful still with a full and giving attack, breadth and lots of bright fruits. It has a dense core and is quite structured. This wine is very long on the finish despite its structural tannins not being particularly aggressive. Decanting may be necessary due to light sediment. While this wine can be enjoyed now, we suspect it may continue to improve through 2026.

Composition: 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot, 13.3% alcohol

Tasting conducted February 2021

The 1994 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has a deep garnet hue with slight bricking at the rim. Aromatically, there is a lot of intrigue. This wine has notes of spiced and cured meats, leather, mushroom and black pepper. It has a moderate entry with delicate earthy notes, white pepper and strawberry flavors. It’s a lithe and elegant wine with nice focus and acidity as the finish crescendos and builds towards impressive weight and length. Decanting may be necessary due to light sediment. Enjoy now.

Composition: 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot, 13.1% alcohol

Tasting conducted February 2021

The 1993 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has translucent crimson hue with signs of bricking at the rim. There are leafy tobacco aromas alongside dusty cherry, cocoa bean and earthy notes. Its entry is lithe and ethereal, and mineral and earthy flavors persist. While nearly three decades old, its tannins are still a touch chalky and certainly present as the finish tapers with focused acidity and some blue fruit flavors. Decanting suggested due to moderate sediment. Enjoy now.

Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13.3% alcohol

Tasting conducted February 2021

The 1992 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a fabulous wine from a classic Napa Valley vintage. It has a relatively opaque garnet hue with very little bricking. The nose is fascinating with notes of coffee grounds, black plum, vanilla bean and some ripe cassis and cherry liqueur tones. The entry has excellent presence with a touch of leather and Roquefort cheese. While dense and textured, the palate is still showing excellent balance and ample structure. It finishes powerfully with great consistency as it moves through the palate and with a slight minty return. Decanting suggested due to heavy sediment. Enjoy now through 2024.

Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12.5% alcohol

Tasting conducted February 2021

The 1991 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has a strong scarlet-red hue with no signs of bricking. The nose is somewhat muted and earthy but has inviting and interesting aromatics like new leather, dried ginger and cocoa beans. The entry is somewhat dilute and lower in acidity than most Silver Oak wines of the era but is broad and has depth along with cured meat and orange peel flavors. The mid-palate is layered and mouth-coating. This is not a huge wine but is bold and authoritative with strong tannins that still accent the long return. Decanting suggested due to moderate sediment. Enjoy now.

Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13.5% alcohol

Tasting conducted February 2021

The 1990 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has a deep tawny color at its core with light rust edges. The fading coconut characteristic is complemented by molasses and freshly sawn redwood and rose petals. It has a light entry but is soft and inviting with medium depth and cedar flavors on the mid-palate. It has a focused and somewhat tapering finish of raspberry, proving to be an elegant and balanced wine with solid back-end structure. Decanting may be necessary due to light sediment. Enjoy now.

Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12.9% alcohol

Tasting conducted February 2021

The 1989 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has great clarity and a ruby hue with a rust-colored edge. It offers aromas of nutmeg, cardamom, a vibrant black cherry fruitiness and hints of shoe leather and cream soda. It enters lightly and smoothly and is an elegant wine at heart. There is a tactile silkiness to its mid-palate tannins, which still offer significant structure to the wine as it transitions into a long, tart and plush finish with black licorice flavors. It’s a very fresh and inviting wine currently. Decanting may be necessary due to light sediment. Enjoy now, but this wine may continue to improve under proper cellar conditions.

Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13.3% alcohol

Tasting conducted February 2021

The 1988 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has a strong garnet hue but with a tawny color at the rim. The nose is quite interesting, alternating between earthy, cumin aromas, strawberry fruit and smokey, vanilla barrel notes. Its entry is lithe but creamy, and the thread of tart cherry fruit helps focus and drive the wine through the bold mid-palate. While the finish tapers a touch, it is focused and linear and provides very good closure for this lively and fresh wine. Decanting may be necessary due to light sediment. Enjoy now.

Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12.7% alcohol

Tasting conducted February 2021

The 1987 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has a ruby-red hue and very good density of color. The aromas are somewhat dusty but otherwise typical of Silver Oak wines of the era, displaying fennel, coffee grounds, fresh dill plus a touch of coconut and apricot. The fruit is fading a touch and the attack has flavors of cured meats to compliment the broad mouthfeel and moderate heft on the mid-palate. The tannins are still tactile and somewhat gritty, but the finish is driven by acid with moderate length. This wine has very good flavor persistence with notes of coffee beans. Decanting may be necessary due to light sediment. Enjoy now.

Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13.0% alcohol

Tasting conducted February 2021

The 1986 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has a dark amber hue and is quite opaque. Aromatically, it is fresh and on the herbal side with notes of anise, fresh dill and black pepper. It offers presence on attack, a round and soft entry and a lively tannic structure. The finish is delicate—moderate in length and is supported mostly by a vibrant acidity and flavors of sandalwood and leather. Decanting suggested due to heavy sediment. Enjoy now.

Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12.8% alcohol

Tasting conducted February 2021

The 1985 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has a very opaque crimson hue with great depth of color. It is still remarkably precocious with nuanced berry and cassis aromas alongside tobacco, baking spices and vanilla. This wine has a round and lovely entry with a solid fruity core buttressed by notes of blackberry. Its palate shows breadth and depth and transitions to a finish with black licorice flavors, electric acidity and fine tannins framing it. This is a wine with everything in its proper place. Decanting suggested due to heavy sediment. Enjoy now, but this wine might reward a few more years of aging.

Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13.1% alcohol

Tasting conducted February 2021

The 1984 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon still has a ruby red hue that is somewhat opaque with slight bricking at the rim. Aromatically, it is still quite fresh and complex. There is capsicum, fresh sawdust, brambly strawberry and vanilla and coconut jumping out of the glass. Its entry is inviting, fruity and round with excellent balance between fruit flavors and tannic structure. This is not a blockbuster of a wine, but it’s still fresh, elegant and very interesting. Despite a somewhat clipped finish, it has fantastic lingering flavors of sandalwood and leather. Decanting suggested due to heavy sediment. Enjoy now.

Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12.4% alcohol

Tasting conducted February 2021

The 1983 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon still has a red hue with solid depth of color and some bricking at the rim. Its initial aromas are earthy but this wine opens up to dried flowers, tea leaves and potpourri with some cedar and vanilla nuances. It has a lighter entry but develops presence and authority as it transitions to the mid-palate with mushroom and toffee flavors. This Cabernet has a through line of acidity to focus the wine, and its tannins are still quite tactile and slightly aggressive towards the lither, elegant finish. Decanting suggested due to heavy sediment. Enjoy now.

Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13.1% alcohol

Tasting conducted February 2021

The 1982 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has an opaque, rust color and is somewhat cloudy. On the nose, it is still remarkably fruity given its age with fading berry aromas alongside coffee grounds. It has a broad and sweet attack and is still quite dense and mouth-coating. There remains a lot of structure with chewy tannins across the palate. With flavors of sarsaparilla and shoe leather, this wine has great presence and length upon closure. Decanting suggested due to heavy sediment. Enjoy now, but this wine still might reward a few more years of patient aging.

Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13.4% alcohol

Tasting conducted February 2021

The 1981 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has a brick red color and great clarity upon pouring. It is an earth-driven wine with soil, cedar and camphor aromas and a hint sweet mint. With breadth and lower acidity than most Silver Oak wines of its day, its entry is surprisingly big and fruit-forward. There is a presence and strength to the mid-palate and flavors of toffee and vanilla. The finish has a return of earth and raspberry with still-present tannins and a focusing acidity. Interestingly, no sediment was observed. Enjoy now.

Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13.4% alcohol

Tasting conducted February 2021

The 1980 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has a brick red appearance. It displays aromas of sandalwood, leather, sagebrush and Roquefort cheese. On entry, it is focused and fresh with leafy strawberry flavors and lively mid-palate acidity. This wine has breadth despite its acidity, and its tart finish with nuances of nutty coconut and fresh dill lingers. Interestingly, no sediment was observed. Enjoy now, although this wine seems to be in stasis and may not change much from here based on its clarity and acidity.

Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13.0% alcohol

The following notes are from the June 2011 tasting. Limited supply in our library precluded tasting of this wine in 2014.

The 1979 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has a brick-red color with a nose of dried cherries, brown sugar and tea. It has a full attack, an elegant mid-palate and a long, silky, tapering finish. Enjoy now.May need decanting due to light sediment.

Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12.6% alcohol