Dill lavender and mocha scents are followed by a trace of coconut and layers of spicy currant herb sage and plum flavors. Very rich and concentrated. Impeccably balanced with a long persistent aftertaste that keeps echoing fruit and oak. Some will find the oak excessive others just the Silver Oak signature. Drink now through 2012. 20091 cases made.

The opaque ruby-colored 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa is a blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon 8% Cabernet Franc 6% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot. The wine reveals a sweet attack of fruitcake spice box dried herbs and black fruits. It is bordeaux-like with hard tough tannin an angular personality and an astringent finish. This is a perplexing offering. There is an impressive beginning but the finish is narrow and pinched hence the question mark. My instincts suggest it will age for 12-15 years but will always be dry and austere without the charm and sweetness of the finest vintages.