I merely speak from the experiences I've had from within the industry, and to be fair, I did note that everyone's opinion is different. If you like Silver Oak, good for you, but maybe you really are a neophyte or a wannabe. Maybe you enjoy the soft vanilla oak and crushed berry flavors and don't want tannins, cassis, cedar, acidity or any other flavors and nuances that can make Cab great. If you do, well then that's great that you have a wine like Silver Oak, but please don't try to act like a connosieur when describing it. Silver Oak appeals to the masses who want a friendly, approachable wine. It's really good at pleasing crowds, but come on, for 60$ or more?
After reading the posts of the Silver Oak supporters, it appears that group of wine drinkers is more of the "label chasing" variety. Had a good Lewis Cellars lately? How 'bout that Radio Coteau? Tried any delicious Goldeneye in a while?

From my perspective, a good Bordeaux will always be better than Silver Oak, especially since the Alexander Valley is up past 60$ a bottle nowadays. Perhaps that's this wine professional's biggest beef, the rising cost of the wine yet no appreciable increase in quality. It's the same as it was in 1999, and to me that isn't really something to be proud of. I like to see vineyards continuously improving, evolving, and letting the grapes express themselves. Letting the juice spend 20 months in an American oak barrel won't really do that.

But hey, in the end, if you like it, that's all that matters. I'll stick to my 2005 Malm Cellars Pinot Noir and enjoy it