1999 Silverado Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

“Still intense, concentrated and rich, this wine brims with aromas of violets, cassis, spices and savoury fruit flavours, with a hint of chocolate mocha. It has an edge of acidity and plenty of verve. Though a mixed vintage in Napa with a cool, wet spring, both Silverado Vineyard (73% of the blend) and Mt. George Vineyard (28%) experienced a warm July, hot August and warm autumn. By now, Silverado had settled into a winemaking regime that included a 20-day maceration on the skins and 15 or so months ageing in oak barrels, with about one-third new. (EM)” (05/2019)

“Delicious black cherry, spicy plum and blackberry flavors are well-centered, offering depth and richness and finishing with firm tannins wrapped around a core of mocha-laced oak. (JL)” (11/2002)

“Medium ruby-red. Very ripe nose verges on liqueur-like but a violet florality provides lift to the aromas of kirsch, cassis and licorice. Supple, thick and fairly deep, but with an edge of acidity and fresh herbs to frame the dark fruit flavors. Finishes with good savory persistence, a mineral note and a firm tannic spine, showing the verve of the vintage's better examples. I tasted this sample from magnum and my projected drinking plane is for the wine in this format. (ST)” (05/2019)

“A bright-edged wine with an herbal kick that's followed by blackberry, cassis and licorice notes. Tannins are firm yet soft.” (11/2002)