Professor Bainbridge...on law, politics, religion, culture & food

Silver Oak (Alexander Valley) 1992

California wine writer Bob Thompson used to say that most California Cabernet Sauvignon is at prime drinking age at 8-15 years from release. These days, of course, all too much California Cabernet Sauvignon is vinified to be drinkable upon release and falls apart after just a few years in bottle. Fortunately, the good folks at Silver Oak are still making wines that manage to be both drinkable on release and age-worthy. As it nears 15 years of age, this 1992 Alexander Valley bottling is fairly light bodied and probably doesn't have a lot of time left before it enters its dotage. I've got one bottle left in my cellar and expect to drink it up within the next couple of years. At the moment, however, it's still drinking quite nicely. Spicy, herbal, and feminine. Tobacco, leather, dried currants, olives, plums. A well-aged Margaux rather than a Pauillac, if claret comparisons help. An excellent match for rack of lamb with green pea risotto. Grade: A-/A