Winemaker Notes
The epitome of Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon: San Simeon. On the nose, you encounter the unmistakable notes of San Simeon's unique selection of French and American oak barrels with aromas of baking spices and vanilla intermingling with notes of ripe dark fruits. On the palate, you will be greeted with notes of blackberry and ripe plum, followed by touches of cocoa and warm spices, and a long finish underpinned by fine-grained tannins and solid acidity.
San Simeon Cabernet is extremely flexible when it comes to food. From hard cheeses and charcuterie to rich cuts of red meat, San Simeon Cabernet shines. One particular favorite is grilled lamb chops with rosemary and garlic, the dark fruits and cedar notes play beautifully with the spice and meat.
Professional Ratings
-
Wine Enthusiast
This is an easy-to-find wine that overdelivers. Aromas of dark cherry, toasted wood, cocoa and graphite make for a complex nose. A chalky structure frames baked strawberry and hard spices on the palate, making for a sip that's lush while still fun.
-
James Suckling
Cassis, spiced strawberries mixed with some blackberries and olives on the nose. This is juicy and bright with a medium body and firm yet fine-grained tannins. A little more depth on the palate would take it to the next level. Drink or hold.
-
Wine Spectator
Shows steeped plum, boysenberry and blackberry fruit flavors that roll through, coated with melted licorice and backed by a chocolaty note on the finish. This has just enough energy to support the frankly overt fruit. For fans of the style.
As Paso Robles, California has soared in number of wineries and gained in popularity, Cabernet Sauvignon has firmly taken root as the region’s number one varietal. Alone, it accounts for just over 40% of plantings and is grown throughout both the western and eastern sides of the appellation. Though viticulture here dates back to the 18th century, Cabernet Sauvignon didn’t emerge as a significant grape here until the 1970’s. But since then it has definitely made up for lost time.
Legendary winemaker and consultant Andre Tchelistcheff first recognized Paso’s potential with Cabernet Sauvignon in the early 1960’s. The calcareous soil and dramatic diurnal temperature changes of Paso’s westside particularly intrigued him. Today modern winemaking techniques and focused experimentation with various clones, rootstocks and vineyard strategies optimize the region's ideal combination of soil and climate to deliver the best fruit possible.
The results are evident in the glass. Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon can be mesmerizing, with rich aromas and flavors of blackberry, cassis, black cherry, graphite, toasty oak, vanilla and spice. The structure, balance and unbridled opulence of these wines impress from first sip to last. Not surprisingly, Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignons have steadily grown in reputation, not just in the U.S., but around the world.