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. — 14 days ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Pale lemon color with aromas of ripe fruits, citrus, vanilla and spice scents. On the palate complex flavors of apple, peach, pineapple and lemon citrus, well balanced with acidity on a nice mouthfeel. Long finish ending with oak, vanilla, mineral and citrus notes, will continue to age. A beautiful Chardonnay. Pair this with a Swordfish steak topped with balsamic roasted tomatoes. — 18 hours ago

Charlie Frago

9.5

Excellent cab great depth tannins not overly fruit for just spectacular  — a month 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. — a month ago

Ron R

8.9

I can’t remember the last time I tasted this brand, and while it’s very approachable, it’s a total construction site. Vanilla and over-sweet brown sugar with resolved tannins. Not my cup-of-tea, but will be enjoyed by others. — 22 days ago

with Andrew and Rick

Bob McDonald

9.5

Dense dark crimson - almost black in colour. Red and black fruits, choc/mocha; and wild mint. An inner core of strength, concentration and intensity. The following night - Blackberry, rich, ripe fruits. A powerful 389 which will live for decades. My first of 11. Destined for greatness. 100% American Oak. 51% Cabernet Sauvignon; 49% Shiraz. — 4 days ago

Miyuki

9.3

Medium garnet, intensity aromas of strawberries, black cherry, dill, liquorice, butter scotch, sweet oak, vanilla, cloves, coconut oil. Dry, high acidity, medium plus tannins, high alcohol, full body. Pronounced flavor. Long finish. Outstanding. — 20 days ago

Daniel Ciolek

9.0

Pleasantly surprised how good this is for less than $9. Bright fruity nose. Sweet dark cherries, raspberries, baking spice. Full bodied slightly jammy and smooth as silk with pleasing lingering finish. — a month ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

1 of CA's oldest wineries, Far Niente, founded 1885 by John Benson. Winery flourished until Prohibition, when it was abandoned & fell into complete disrepair. Stately stone shell of a winery purchased in 1979 by Gil Nickel. A big wine! Tropical and stone fruit aromas with complex spice and oak notes. On the palate apple, peach and citrus flavors, creamy, with buttery toasty oak, fig/honey tones. Long finish ending with vibrant acidity & mineral character. Consistent. — 18 hours ago

Sheila G.

8.9

Mike drank. Smooth tannins. Fruity. Light kitchen spices. — a month ago

with Mike