2004 Silver Oak Napa release

WINE TALK
1

We had some people come into our store last night and they had been to the S.O. Napa Valley release party yesterday. They said there was at least 5000 people there. Silver Oak also did a library release that they sold out of very early.
There are apparently still the die hards, and I was actually surprised to hear that many turned out. These people said it was one of the better S.O. Napa they remembered tasting. I guess it hasn’t fallen as far off the radar as I imagined. No price increase for the '04 Napa, still $100 at the winery.
Anyone tried it ?

2

Why don’t you just fly your little broom right down the road a pick one up and let us know?? [tease.gif]

3

I tried it at the Boston Wine Expo…oooops, just looked, I had the 2003 Napa and 2004 Alexander. They were both very heavily oaked for my tastes. Now ladies and gentlemen, I return you to your thread on the 2004 Silver Oak Napa… [thank_you.gif]

4

How bout I fly my supercharged broom over there and well you get the picture [diablo.gif]

5

I had the '03’s at the winery some time back, and they were NASTY! I poured both samples out and the pouring attendant was absolutely SHOCKED!

‘NOBODY pours out Silver Oak!!’, his face screamed. If he would have said anything, my prompt reply would have been ‘but they taste like *ss, so I have no choice!’

Yes, the place was packed, and people were walking in and out with cases of the plonk.

6

I didn’t like the '03 Napa either and the '04 Alex was like an oaky fruit salad with alcohol that stood out over everything, totally disjointed. bleh ! People still love it, I used to be one of them when Justin was still around, totally different now.

7

Carrie’s on it. Silver Oak lately is just Oak. Oak Oak, they should rename it.

8

Friday night I had some friends over for dinner.

One guy brought a 1995 S.O. Alex

I have to admit It was a very nice wine. Granted, they had a killer year to work with so it shouldn’t have sucked - nose was nice, tannins well integrated etc.

as it warmed in the glass I did pick up on some green notes - but worked great with some hangar steaks

9

Chris; the 95 did tend to be a bit vegetal. But the tannin structure and acidity balanced well for aging. The notes from the winemaker that year were interesting. He picked grapes in late August, late Sept, and early Oct. So hang time for the grapes varied from about 80 days to 115 days. So it produced an interesting wine.

This was, of course, back before the “over ripe” days of grape picking.

I think the price for the 04 Napa is abit high. Not much QPR there. As someone else blogged, they are getting a touch carried away with the oak part of Silver Oak.

10

I had the '04 Napa at Winex this weekend. Here’s TN:

2004 Silver Oak Napa Cabernet. $90
Dark ruby garnet color. Nose has a slight herbal streak, but not excessively so, followed by the unmistakable sweet stewed-tomato thing that does seem to blow off a bit with swirling. Medium mouthfeel, some oak, tasty in that pushing ripeness kind of way. Good balance and slightly sweet finish. I think what’s obvious here is the 2004 vintage. The dill or toasted herb reminiscent from other vintages is playing a minor role in this wine. The herbal notes I got weren’t more than a Cab Franc. The stewed tomato, OTOH, seemed definitely representative of a later pick, as did the wine’s general sweetness.

It’s certainly not classic Napa Cab, but I can see why some people might enjoy the sweet fruit. It provides an easy-drinking, yummy taste - stewed tomato notwithstanding. Frankly, I wouldn’t be interested in buying this wine at $20. At $90…