James Naphen

9.2

**Wine Review: 2008 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (Opened November 2024)**

The 2008 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, opened today, showcases an impressive balance and complexity, affirming its status as a finely aged wine. Its deep ruby hue remains vibrant, with exceptional clarity that invites exploration.

On the nose, ripe aromas of blackberry syrup and dark fruits are prominent, complemented by elegant notes of dried ginger and a subtle floral undertone. These aromas suggest both maturity and freshness, creating a captivating bouquet.

The palate offers a bold, full-bodied experience, featuring flavors of graphite and pencil lead that add intrigue and depth. The oak is beautifully integrated, enhancing the wine's harmony without overshadowing the fruit. The tannins, while still present, are soft and smooth, allowing the wine’s fruity core to take center stage.

Despite its 16 years of aging, this wine retains a youthful vibrancy, with its primary fruit flavors shining through. The finish is balanced and moderate in intensity, leaving a lasting impression of refinement.

Enjoyed today, this wine is a testament to the careful craftsmanship of Silver Oak. While it has clearly benefited from its time in the cellar, it remains dynamic and will continue to develop nuances for years to come. — 15 hours ago

with Melissa

Pooneet K

9.3

Really excellent. From half bottle and was worried this would be too far gone. Certainly doesn’t need more time - but still quite together. Pretty minerally (in a nice St Julien way). Lighter bodied at this point but still with a nice lifting acid at the finish. Excellent pairing with a simple roast chicken with lemon. — 7 days ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

Black fruits, sweet earth & spice with graphite & tobacco — 6 days ago

Ericsson

9.6

The closest thing to true Bordeaux style red blend from Napa. This wine really accentuates the vintage and the terroir, along with fruit and soil. The Dominus Estate manages the vineyard via dry farming, relying on nature for water, making a profound difference on great vintages such as 2016. Find a good vintage Dominus and you’re bound to have one of kind. Cheers. — 7 days ago

Jay Kline

10

A physically pristine example from a well established cellar, the cork pulled clean and without so much as a hint of compromise. It was subsequently double decanted several hours in advance. The 2000 Margaux pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. The nose: developing and simply stunning. A cornucopia of cassis, black bramble fruit, purple flowers, tobacco, new leather, cocoa, fine woody notes, dry gravelly earth and gorgeous baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid; the structure acting like the flying buttresses of Notre Dame. Confirming the notes from the nose, the finish is forever long and impossibly silky. Sensationally balanced.

To my palate, this falls into the very small category of wines that require no additional inquest. It is utterly complete. And, when I consider the company and circumstances, perfect. Drink now with a healthy decant and through 2100. — a day ago

Mike Evans

9.5

Leather, raspberry, and hints of minerals and dark chocolate, with fine tannin giving it support, some anise comes out with air, great depth and complexity, drinking incredibly well. — 8 days ago

Conrad Green

9.3

Tangy deep fruit. Plum and underbrush. Vibrant. Good. — 11 days ago

with Matt and Paul

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

Nearly 20 years in bottle. It is still ascending will drink well for another 15 days plus years.

From a warm vintage. Beautiful, even toned fruits with elegant earth & amazing lead pencil bloom for days.

This is approaching its peak, another 5 years from its peak.

Well resolved wine-fruits. The fruits are juicy, blackberries, black raspberries, plum skin, dark cherries & slightly, poached strawberries with a highlight of pomegranate. Mocha, dark chocolate, black tea, sandalwood, sandstone, limestone, some mushroom notes, dark, rich turned earth w/ dry leaves, dry tobacco, dry leather, dry herbs, dry stone, caramel notes, dry, withering, dark, purple & red flowers with excellent acidity, balance, tension, structure and finish for days that lasts 90 seconds. — 5 days ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.2

Quite floral with plummy cassis, creamy blackberry and a touch of pencil lead, crushed rocks . On the palate this has quite good freshness , ripe cassis and blackberry , but with dusty firm tannins . Mineral , seashell hints of on the good length finish . Quite richly fruited but well balanced overall . This needs more time but for 2018 is promising, balanced with good freshness . Come back in 10 -15 years and will show well a further 10 — 6 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Double decanted two nights before service. The 2006 pours a deep, slightly hazy garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with a mix of desiccated fruit and funky umami notes: bruised and desiccated strawberry, red rope licorice, nori, Cherry Dr. Pepper, cracked black pepper and leather. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is forever long and saline; it just hangs around forever. Initially, this came across as bit backward but it really gained power and character the more time it spent in the glass. Drink now with patience and through 2036. — 19 days ago