San Simeon Vineyards and Winery is owned by the Riboli family, who have been in the wine business since 1917. With vineyards in Monterey County and Paso Robles, they have an extensive history in the growth of California wine development. They have also been in the forefront of the sustainability movement; their vineyards have been certified as sustainable by CSWA. San Simeon winery’s electrical needs are completely covered by the extensive array of solar panels on the winery buildings.
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Reserve is a blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot sourced from three of their prime Paso Robles vineyards (Pretty Penny, Stefano and Maddalena). The winemaking team makes use of a combination of French and American oak barrels, aging the wines for 18 months before blending and bottling. The goal is a “juicy, full-bodied wine”.
Color: Dark, deep purple; clear, with lingering “legs” on the inside of the glass.
Aromatics: Powerful, youthful black fruit aromas (currant?), touched by cedary highlights.
Taste Profile: Dry, full-bodied with ample tannin and acid. Intense notes of black fruit buried under layers of sweet oak. A real powerhouse wine!
Food Pairings: Think of flavorful meats off the grill such as rib-eye or strip steak, or barbequed ribs, braised short ribs, or seasoned, marinated lamb chop “lollipops”.
This wine is appearing in a number of restaurants and fine wine shops; if you’re looking for a big, juicy Cabernet Sauvignon, this one will probably fulfill that need!
By Don Clemens