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

Silver Oak (Napa Valley) 1994

In 1994, Silver Oak’s Napa bottling was a blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Cabernet Franc. At almost age 14, it’s starting to fade a bit in both color and intensity. At the rim, it’s ruby shading into brick. On the nose, the bouquet is modest, suggesting dark fruits and mushrooms. On the palate, it suggests the same set of dark fruits, earth, mushrooms, and tobacco. Candidly, I’m more than a little disappointed. It’s not a bad wine, it’s just not the great wine it ought to be. It’s certainly not the exceptional wine I remember from June 2004, nor has it justified the confidence I expressed back then in its aging potential. I’ve got 1 bottle left in the cellar and expect to open it next year at age 15 instead of in 2014 at age 20 as originally planned. Grade: B/B+