Can I assume you are saying that Silver Oak Alexander 1999 is back on track.
They were at the top of my list for years. Then they seemed to change in
1996, 1997 and 1998 in there style with regards to the Alexander Valley
Fruit. I was so disappointed with the 1997 when virtually everyone made
great wine.

The Napa bottling did change as they have gone more Bordeaux blend...and
that might be better long term.


"Leichtman" > wrote in message
...
> In article >,
> Mark Lipton > wrote:
>
> > Leichtman wrote:
> >
> > >
> > > Just tasted it at the Sante Fe wine and Chile Festival. (I'm working
on
> > > copious notes now) Tasted it right after the current and a 1990 Ridge
> > > Montebello. No comparison both Ridge's were superior with the '90
> > > approaching a 92-95. The Silver Oak:Good color deep brick red, nose of
> > > pepper and some cedar but not a lot more, very dense tannins, guite a
> > > bit of fruit and fairly long finish. Still very unbalanced and even so
> > > after 1.5 hours. I would rate this under 90 at this point.
> >
> > Lawrence,
> > How was the Fiesta this year? It's a favorite of mine, but we
didn't
> > get
> > there this year. Highlights? New restaurants? Fantastic tasting
events?
> > At
> > least I may get some vicarious pleasure from the event...
> >
> > Mark Lipton
> >
> >
> >
>
> It was as wonderful as ever. Only new restaurant was Swig which serves
> mostly asian tapas. Everyone seems to have gotten on the tapas craze. El
> Encanto which serves food from central Mexico (Mexico City, Oaxaca,
> Puelba and Merida is also a new one for me. I attended their wine dinner
> which was with Chilean wines from Morande. The food was sublime but the
> wines were so so. They did have an interesting late harvest Sauvingnon
> Blanc botyritis affected which went wonderfully with the flan-like
> dessert. As to the big tasting blown away by the Old House, The
> Compound, El Meson, Anasazi (the best ribs I've ever had), Geronimo, El
> Farol (figs roast pork and Idiazabel cheese tapas yum) Gabriels
> guacamole as always, Ristras and Santacafe. 60 restaruants total.
> Broadbent was present this time with several Ports and Madeiras which
> is fairly new for this event. They are mostly showing their own labels.
> An LBV from Broadbent showed nicely with a very smooth and creamy finish
> for an LBV. Had a taste of a 1923 Malmsey which was quite wonderful and
> really showed little age. I'm somewhat disappointed by the American,
> mostly California presenters who primarily brought Cabernet Sauvignon
> and Chardonnay and not much else. The Ridge Montebello was a taste treat
> as well as 2 special bottling sof Zindfandel from Rosenblum as well as
> Ravenswood's entire line of Zindfandels some of which (the Belloni
> especially) seemed to hold an excellent aging potential. Of those who
> brought alternatives the 2001 Cigar Volante from Bonny Doon was nice but
> still very closed as I would expect from a Rhone-like wine at this
> point. Their Old Telegraph was quite fruit forward and certainly nothing
> like Vieux Tlegraph which they seem to want to imitate. Tasted the BV
> Private Reserve 2000 and the Tapestry 2000 and found the Private Reserve
> Cab to be superior with good tannins and already showing nice structure.
> They talked very briefly about the TCA problems they have had and that
> they will probably move to screw tops soon. Clos Du Bois had a Reserve
> 2001 Shiraz which was quite nice with a good structure and lots of
> peppery fruit on the palate. Landmark 2001 Pinot Noir was suprisingly
> good with excellent fruit and nice smooth body. Heitz seemed back in
> form with the 2000 Martha's Vineyard already nicely balanced without the
> excessive fruit forwardness they have exhibited the last several years.
> Qupe Syrah Bien Nacido 2001 also excellent with food balanced fruit and
> acid though a bit thin in tannins to last. 94 wineries total.
>
> --
> Lawrence G. Leichtman, MD
> Genetics and Disabilities Diagnostic Care Center
> www.lleichtman.org