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Barrel Oak Winery

Silver Oak

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

Somm David T
8.9

It has been 15 years or so since I’ve had a Silver Oak. Thought I check in. Nothing has changed, every vintage basically tastes the same. It almost like they add flavoring. 🤷‍♂️ One red you could not fool me blind. Short Rib was excellent.

At Pebble Beach Food & Wine 2025.

The ticket to this event has a pretty big price tag. But when you consider what a Napa etc. tasting or two and lunch would cost you, you are pretty much there and there is so much more than that. It ends up having great value. It’s wine, spirits and food candy land. — 8 days ago

Jay, Tom and 5 others liked this

Trefethen Family Vineyards

HãLo Hillspring Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

Charlie Frago
9.5

Excellent cab great depth tannins not overly fruit for just spectacular  — a month ago

La Rioja Alta

Reserva Viña Ardanza Rioja Tempranillo Garnacha 2016

Miyuki
9.3

Medium garnet, intensity aromas of strawberries, black cherry, dill, liquorice, butter scotch, sweet oak, vanilla, cloves, coconut oil. Dry, high acidity, medium plus tannins, high alcohol, full body. Pronounced flavor. Long finish. Outstanding. — 15 days ago

Gnarly Head

1924 Limited Edition Bourbon Barrel Aged Double Black Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon 2023

Andrew Ahrens
9.0

Nice oak and blueberry taste. Smooth smokey finish — 2 months ago

Silver Oak

Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

Ron R
8.9

I can’t remember the last time I tasted this brand, and while it’s very approachable, it’s a total construction site. Vanilla and over-sweet brown sugar with resolved tannins. Not my cup-of-tea, but will be enjoyed by others. — 16 days ago

Andrew MooreRick K
with Andrew and Rick
Tom, Jay and 22 others liked this
Jay Kline

Jay Kline Influencer Badge Premium Badge

🇺🇸 🪵 💣
Ron R

Ron R Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Jay Kline, I have older vintages of Napa and Alexander Valley, and they are nothing like what I tasted here. Just so you know, the 94 Silver Oak Napa cab was the wine that actually helped to create my current, measly credit score… Silver Oak has certainly sh!t the bed (in my opinion) since the late 90’s.
Jay Kline

Jay Kline Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Ron R I agree. I’ve had some vintages from the early 80’s that were really good but man…the oak has been overbearing for probably 20 years

Trefethen Family Vineyards

Oak Knoll District Chardonnay 2023

Pinotman /// Andreas
9.1

Beautiful and light on its feet. Dry - very well made! Fantastic fruit. Very fresh. Honey. Meyer lemon, mandarine, just a faint touch of 1,1,6-trimethyl-1,2-dihydronaphthalene (TDN) aka Diesel. Touch bitter on the back palate. As a chemist i just had to bring this up. At 24 suns in Oceanside. 2 Michelin Chefs cooking. Grab this bargain before it is gone!!!!!! — 2 months ago

Tom and Shay liked this

Opus One

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2012

Andrew Cullimore
9.2

Medium deep ruby , quite thin garnet rim . Quite a lot of cassis, herbal grafite notes , touch of blackberry , scorched earth , a bit for floral after a while in the glass. On the palate this shows more sweet dark fruit, touch of spicy oak, blackcurrant , dark cherry and cacau . Balanced acidity and sweet slightly grippy tannins , just balanced alcohol . Spicy sweet blackcurrant, grafite tinged finish , decent length. This is still young and quite fruit driven but is enjoyable now with food . Better in 5 years or so and will last well a further 8-10. — 22 days ago

Somm, Rob and 11 others liked this
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

This is not a knock on anyone or this producer. For 10 years a friend of mine was the Assistant Winemaker at Opus. He is now back in Bordeaux, rebuilt & raised the quality of Clerc Milon. Now is in charge of all Rothschild properties. This is just me thinking out loud. I have been to this property many times and bought a glass of their Cabernet to take to their top deck and take in a spectacular view of the Napa Valley. Enjoyed many of their vintages in those very nice moments. However, knowing the quality of 2012 vintage and their price point, I and I think most expect & want more than a 92 point wine. Which begs the question, how long can they push bottle price with this level of quality? At what point does the quality price ratio kick in? To a bigger picture, how sustainable is the high quality respected producer wine economic model going forward? To me, a fascinating question going forward.
Andrew Cullimore

Andrew Cullimore Premium Badge

Yes @Somm David T , this was actually served blind , the only wine at lunch ..and we had plenty of time to get to know it before the big reveal . I was trying to evaluate the quality in the glass without the distraction of the label, which is always an illuminating experience . It’s a good wine, and went very will with our steaks but it certainly doesn’t represent good value nor is it a stellar example of 2012 . I would be perfectly happy to have it again mind you , as long as I wasn’t paying .

Oak Ridge Winery

OZV Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel

Daniel Ciolek
9.0

Pleasantly surprised how good this is for less than $9. Bright fruity nose. Sweet dark cherries, raspberries, baking spice. Full bodied slightly jammy and smooth as silk with pleasing lingering finish. — 22 days ago

Trefethen Family Vineyards

Oak Knoll District Merlot

Sheila G.
8.9

Mike drank. Smooth tannins. Fruity. Light kitchen spices. — a month ago

Mike Galat
with Mike
Sheila G.

Sheila G.

At Berns steakhouse.

Cakebread Cellars

Napa Valley Chardonnay 2022

Jane Nuss
9.2

Pale straw in the glass. Ripe peach, pineapple, pear, and blossom, with hints of vanilla, lychee, and honeysuckle. On the palate—banana, apple, and a touch of cream, lifted by medium-plus acidity. I’m not usually a fan of Napa Chard, but this one is elegant and balanced, with well-integrated oak. — 3 months ago