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Rob's "Wine of the Week" Archives

So here is my wine review for the week of May 12th...

SILVER OAK CABERNET SAUVIGNON NAPA VALLEY 2003

Description: Silver Oak was the Opus One of the 1990s. In other words, people who knew nothing about wine would rave over and order Silver Oak just so they could appear to know what the hell they were doing and talking about. The only difference between the two is that Silver Oak did actually produce some pretty good wines, while, Opus One has always sucked (and still does). While Opus One remains the biggest joke in Napa to people who truly know wine, Silver Oak is still a name to be reckoned with, occasionally producing amazing cabs and always producing good ones. The release of Silver Oak vintages is still an austentatious and stupid affair and remains years behind the valley, but that’s their schtick so we all tolerate it.

How and when I drank it: Saturday afternoon, May 10, 2008 at my house

How to get it: Almost all wine specialty stores and BevMos carry it, some grocery stores sell it, and it can be purchased through the winery as well.

How Much: about $100

My Thoughts: For starters, this not a true, pure cabernet, it is a blend, comprised of 78% cab, 13% merlot, 7% franc and 2% verdot. This blending softens the wine slightly (thanks to the merlot) and that, combined with extended aging of Silver Oak’s wines makes this a very approachable big Napa red, ready to be drunk now, though I believe it will be much better in 3-5 years. The finish on the wine is very, very tight, even with extended decanting and breathing and the wine simply needs time to calm down. Currently, the finish delivers mineral, earth and stone flavors which is an unpleasant end to an otherwise very pleasant wine, filled with vanilla, oak and herbs.

Overall Score:  Right now, today, this is a mediocre bottle of $100 wine, but in 2012 this will be a far better value. As top end Napa wines go, this is worth cellaring a few but not many bottles (I’d buy 3 and put em away) 4 vines

SILVER OAK CABERNET SAUVIGNON NAPA VALLEY 2003=