Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

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. — 5 days ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.5

Just like the Togni I thought this was too young and tannic for the moment.
Others scored this a lot higher. — 18 days ago

Jennifer G

9.3

Not normally a fan of California Merlot, but this one surprised me. Very drinkable, but with enough complexity. Excellent with a bowl of seafood stew. — a month ago

Victor Hsu

8.9

Inky and dense, with aromas of violet and dark fruit. Multiple flavors hitting the palate, including blueberry and blackberry with a hint of earth supported by a tannic backbone. Still tight and a bit alcoholic; decanting improved things a bit but needs more time in the bottle. Good but not great. — a month ago

Doug Powers

9.5

Amazing older Napa Cabernet, redfruits (currants and cassis), this is amazingly fresh and youthful, structure is there, just a faint green note pops out in the super long finish, great wine (and clearly showing much more youthful than the 1986 Dunn Napa we opened in mid-March)!! Randy killed it in this vintage, planning to open a 1987 Howell Mountain Cabernet in the next few weeks, it should be fantastic!! — 17 days ago

with Jim

Andrea Watt

9.3

Drank this from a magnum at a paired dinner. Smooth and rich with lemon, pear, and a touch of brioche and jasmine. Round and warm. — a day ago

Paul J

9.3

This wine is so inconsistent it’s annoying!!

1hr+ decant. Dark red, dark maroon color with slight bricking. Caramel, alcohol, absinthe, and cedar on the nose. Fruit is more prevalent on the palate and very deep wine. Finish is okay with some tea elements.

Not my style, but I’m sure some love it. — a month ago

with Brooke

James MacDonald

9.6

Elegant and deeper than the well rounded fruit bomb of the red blend. A wine worthy of a life’s best celebrations. — 3 days ago

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. — 19 days ago

Mark

9.2

Deep ruby colors with delicious fruit and balanced tannins. Wonderful yeast aroma on the nose. Blackberry fruit with an after taste of current. Very enjoyable wine!!! — 15 days ago

with Jeron