Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.6

2002 vintage. Nice fill, good cork. Decanted with a respectable amount of powdery sed. Smelled great during decanting. Tasted 1.5 hours after opening/decanting. Expected light body with delicate tendrils. Medium body with a light palate footprint. Holy shazzbaat. This was absolutely firing. Like top of the pops, straight up to number one. Exceptional knitting and in a perfect spot now. Go all the way back to the inaugural 1982 vintage with this winery’s cabernet…thought my all-time fave was the 1991 altho the 1986 and 1987 were special. The 2020, picked early, thus avoiding the fires, is phenomenal as well. This was on another level and have had approx 150 bottles of Spottswoode Cab in the last three + decades. It was probably the best out of all of them. Difficult to imagine Napa Cab better than this. Power and finesse on display. Not improving but can hold this intensity for another 4-5 years. 12.24.24. — 10 months ago

Mike Saviage

9.5

Reddish tawny. Youthful nose. Notes of black currants, blackberries, herbs and spices and some menthol. Silky in the mouth, although at first it comes off as delicate. With more air, some spice and white pepper notes develop, and this goes full on Chave and Hermitage power on you... Not bad for Syrah that's pushing 40 years in age! — 4 years ago

WC Fields

9.4

Happy birthday J. Fantastic at 38 years. Not showing any ill affects of age. Velvety with nice juicy fruit and secondary notes of leather, bitter chocolate, forest floor and only soft thread of tertiary notes on the finish. Still had tannins. This was 2 of 2 and this drank as good, if not better, than the one last year. A pleasure.
Paired with A5 NY strip. — 6 years ago

Kyo Jin

9.4

Another magnum. Pristine shape. All guessed this as a Cali Cab. Wonderful wine! — 10 years ago

Rick Magnello

10

Still vibrant as hell #bombassvintage — 11 years ago

Michael Petrozzella

9.6

Fantastic, as always. — 11 years ago

David Beckwith

Partner/Wine Advisor Grand Cru Wine Consulting

9.9

About as good as it gets! Pristine bottle. — 12 years ago

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. — a year ago

with Melissa

Ryan Vento

9.4

168ème. From 375ml. Blend of 198 wines spanning 11 vintages, the youngest being from 2012 and the oldest being from 1998. Cork received Summer 2018. Phenomenal as always 🥂 — 6 years ago

with Krystal

Steve Pollack

9.2

Drink up. Getting tired and oxidized. Not as good as bottles 2-4 years ago. — 7 years ago

Richard Lerner

9.6

Label was very very new looking. Questionable as to real or not. Cork is correct. Wine us correct. On the way out but just won't leave. Brown to rust color. Better as it went on. Light fruit. Amazingly long Finish. Wow. — 9 years ago

Florian Soler

9.2

High as is reputation but it doesn't worse this price — 11 years ago

Will Harahan

9.3

Contrary to other wines, D'yquem is in a class of it's own in terms of Sauternes. There is rarely, if ever, a bad year, although some years, like the 2001, stand out more than others. The disparity in quality from a GREAT d'yquem to a mediocre one & so on isn't as drastic as one might imagine. While the older vintages seem to age VERY well, it isn't as discernible from a recent vintage as other wines. Sauternes, in general are consistent, & none more than d'yquem. — 11 years ago

Jay Kline

9.4

It was Father’s Day and I had decided on grilled rack of lamb for dinner so I selected this bottle of 2011 Chateau Musar rouge from our cellar. According to Musar’s records, the 2011 vintage was one of the most challenging since the early 1990’s. It was ultimately a late-maturing vintage with harvest taking place on October 13th, the latest since the 1983 vintage!

I decanted this bottle about eight hours prior to dinner. It should be noted that immediately upon opening, the bouquet was strikingly gorgeous with powerful aromatics that were obvious from several feet away and this trait carried through until dinner time.

In the glass, the wine presents a deep garnet color. Slightly turbid with a near opaque core. On the nose, black plums, blackberries, cassis, tobacco, organic earth, exotic spices, leather, spiced meat, and pomegranate. I detect a touch of VA as well. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the nose with an added bit of red rope licorice. Lovely, long, savory…amazing. This was a brilliant compliment to the lamb (which was served with beets and goat cheese and fattoush) and everything I wanted in a Musar tonight. Drinking well now with a hefty decant and I expect well cellared examples to drink well past 2035. — 2 years ago

Jim Nelson

9.3

Haven’t had this in years and missed it like crazy — 4 years ago

Todd Stone

9.2

Very good Rosé champagne. Not as Brut as a typical white version- has a touch of sweetness but still dry. Very smooth, softer bubbles, strawberries & maybe even raspberries. — 6 years ago

with Gordon and Peggy

John Landis

9.2

Translucent color; sour cherry notes. Then intense cherry fruit in mouth. As it airs has richer iron flavors. — 9 years ago

Nick Davis

9.3

Thought it was Condrieu. Elegant! — 11 years ago

Mark Treadwell

9.6

Nothing short of amazing. If properly stored as this was! — 11 years ago

Rachel Hart Rios

9.5

I am not a fan of Pinot Noir but this one is delicious. Almost as bold and big as my favorite Washington reds. — 12 years ago