The 2005 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has a dark ruby-red color. It has a rich nose of black cherry, rose petals and roasting meat. It has a great attack, a juicy mid-palate, great acid balance and a very long finish with grainy tannins. This wine will continue to improve through 2032, given proper cellaring.
Composition: 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot, 13.5% alcohol
91 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
Good deep red-ruby. Musky aromas of cassis, licorice, game, tobacco leaf and subtle brown spices. Velvety-sweet and deep, with hints of tobacco leaf, mint and herbs giving definition to the middle palate. Nicely bright but youthfully tight wine, finishing with broad tannins. Carrying a moderate 13.5% alcohol. Still tight, but then this won't be released until next winter. (ST) 91+ 
(5/2009)
90 points Wine & Spirits
Casual elegance defines this California classic. It's an herbal Cabernet, with scents of grape skins and black olives rising out of the earthy tannin. Round and smooth in the middle, this ends with a clean and gentle feel. Ready for rack of lamb. (8/2010)
Connoisseurs Guide
Very much in the rich yet mannerly tradition of Silver Oak Cabernets, this wine is medium-full in body, supple and reasonably well-polished all in all. Its tilt to creamy, slightly cedary oak comes at slight but still noticeable expense to its underlying black cherry, currant-tinged fruit, and that oak adds a bit of a woody toothpicky texture to the finish. A few years in the cellar will help add the final smoothing that is needed. *One Star* (4/2010)
Vinous
(13.5% alcohol): Bright red-ruby. Aromas of currant, tobacco and dusty herbs, along with an obvious element of exotic. Not an overripe style but comes across as a bit oaky for its moderate flesh and ripeness, offering flavors of sweet redcurrant, cherry and dried sage. Finishes with dusty tannins and an herbal element. This will always be a rather firm, dry style, so I don't see any reason not to pour this 2016. (ST) (5/2016)
