Simi Alex. Valley 2001

[wondersofwine]

I believe I have either the 1999 or 2001 vintage of this on hand. I tried the 2001 Simi Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve at a "barrel tasting" (before release) last spring and really liked it. It seemed to me less tannic than many of the other 2001 California Cabernet Sauvignons. Still, they may need a few years to smooth out. WW drinks a lot of his C.S. wines at 10 years of age. It might be worth getting a couple more bottles and trying them in 2008 or 2010. I don't think Simi is a producer that usually over "oaks" their wines so probably it needs a few more years to integrate the oak element. Since it seemed less tannic than some other 2001 C.S. from Napa, I would probably try again in 2006 or 2008 and if not ready, hold off on others until 2010.